Page 227 of Frost and Death
Niko chuckles ominously, watching me struggle to find words.
My vision shifts slightly, and I stumble a step, disbelief coursing through my veins. I reach for my magic, the only defense I have, but I can’t summon it.
Niko prowls closer. “Do youhonestlythink I could ever love someone who killed the only person I’ve ever loved?”
My heart stills.
Runa?
He continues with indignation despite my hesitation. “I loved Runa from the moment I first saw her. It didn’t matter that your mother cursed my father,notmy uncle, as you believe, for a crime he didn’t commit. I pleaded with your mother and father, yet they refused to change their ruling. Your mother’s curses were cruel. The lot of you always are. And when my father ended his life to end his own torment, I sought justice for the wrongs the monarchy had done to me, to my father, to so many people. He was myonlyfamily. And even my love for Runa didn’t stop me from killing your father. And then, well—your mother planned her own demise.”
I fight to hold myself together, despite the tears filling my vision from the person in front of me.
He lied about his family.
H-He killed…
Father.
I shudder through the confirmation. My gut sinks, and I cover my mouth in horror as the pieces click into place.
His voice drops an octave, low and lethal as he says, “Freeing Axidoria from a wicked monarchy and avenging my father drew a greater purpose when I met Runa. I planned for her to fall for me so I could marry her and kill the whole lot of you and rule alongside her.”
Tears soak my cheeks from Nikolaj’s admission, and I yelp in pain when he closes the gap between us, gripping my hair andyanking it back. It forces me to meet the furious storm brewing in his amber eyes.
“Butyouhad to go and kill the love of my life and derail and ruin my plan with yourstupidfucking magic,” he seethes, his hold on my hair tightening beyond the point of pain.
Isqueeze my eyes shut, grieving for the man I thought I knew.
But he did… everything.
I harden my features, scorn and fury bearing into him as I strike him with the only venom I can find. “Runa wouldneverbe with you if she knew you did this.”
Nikolaj explodes in a rage of fury, throwing me down on the ground.
My chin meets the stone hard, the brunt force sending a pulse of agony through my jaw.
“You don’tdeserveto breathe her name,” Nikolaj spits.
I reach for my magic, desperately hoping it is there. But the pain is too distracting and keeps my powers just out of my grasp.
I falter, my heart crushing even more as I struggle to meditate, my thoughts drifting to the memory of Jerrick’s anguished features.
I should have told him it was real.
Nikolaj’s grip returns tight on my scalp, laughing at the whimpering mess I am, shoving me to the ground and kicking me in the stomach. Hard. His boot makes contact with my ribs, the sound of it screeching against my ears.
I scream out from the weighted force of his strength seeking to break me.
He does it again and again.
And again.
Andagain.
By the fifth time, his foot hits my lower stomach, my diaphragm shifts up my core as small amounts of blood drip from my mouth.
“Where’s your stupid magic now,Snow Queen?” Nikolaj challenges.
