Page 222 of Frost and Death
He guides me further on the bed.
“I am going to hunt downLordNikolaj, and when I catch him…” He pauses as a whoosh of his magic overcomes me, threatening to make my world go dark.
The use of Jerrick’s magic is different this time, as if I can feel his own torment as it ripples through me. My heart fractures even more because I have done this and have failed him.
“I’m going to kill him,” he vows.
Jerrick kisses me once more in a promise.
A tear falls down my cheek when his lips pull away from mine, my time running out. My blood rapidly shifts from hot to cold, dark spots lining my vision. My magic is extinguished, quiet, and I know this is death coming to take me.
“Love,” I utter, my voice hardening and wanting to cease.
These final precious moments of my life will be here with Jerrick, and even though I’ve fucked everything up, I can’t help but feel grateful.
When his full face comes into view, I reach for him, throwing every last ounce of strength I have, hopeful his light can come forth even after I’m gone.
There is no point in a divorce if I am dead, and maybe this is how it should be. Maybe this is how I return to my family and save my kingdom because Jerrick will have a rightful claim to the lands.
Jerrick killing me is a mercy. It is a beautiful mercy that echoes once more how he is not a monster. But I will not leave this world being the monster everyone claims me to be. I will not keep him from true love and finding his own happy again.
“On-Only in f-f-f-faithful consummation with l-l-l-love will then the curse br-br-break,” I pant.
Shadows take over my vision, and I sink deeper and deeper into the mattress beneath me.
I release my hold on my husband, my heartbeat slowing, and my breaths become shallower. I slump as I fight to keep Jerrick in my mind, and I am granted one final blessing of seeing his features soften, glimpsing the man I am in love with in my final moments.
Darkness drags me deep into Letum’s Oblivion.
46
Letum’s Oblivion
Aslap reverberates through my skull, and the sting lingers on my right cheek as I open my eyes. My vision is blurry and dizzy, the warm tingling remaining on my face.
I apply a light pressure, massaging the area as the figure looming above me comes into focus.
Beautiful olive skin, kissed by the summer’s sun, is highlighted and sculpted to perfection aside from the voluminous waves of dark chocolate hair billowing over Dorit’s hardened brown eyes.
“Ouch,” I groan, still groggy.
Dorit’s eyebrows furrow at my remark. She disappears momentarily, and suddenly, I am ambushed with finger food.
From the smell of it, it’s a solstice pastry followed by rosemary bread and a small cube of cheese. The cheese hits mein the center of my eyes, and I flinch, rolling to the side to prevent more food from landing on my face.
Unfortunately, three women stare at me incredulously.
Dorit, Ophelia, and Cordelia wear deep scowls, each of them crossing their arms, remaining silent, but hollering and yelling come from the halls.
I recognize my surroundings—I am still in Jerrick’s room. It is fitting to wake up in Letum’s realm, only to be tortured for eternity in my husband’s rooms.
But looking around, I am puzzled.
No instant torture. No impending doom burrowing itself in my gut.
I imagined death to be more painful, and I can’t help but ask, “Am I in Oblivion?”
Dorit shakes her head.
