Page 57 of Frost and Death
His dimple appears. “It is a pleasure to officially meet you, My Queen.”
I amsuchan idiot.
Fury reverberates beyond the tingling in my shoulder as rage boils over. Anger latches around my heart, dismissing the interest I had to this man—thismonsterwho calls himself the King of Palaena.
Fuck attraction.
His kingdom is behind my family’s deaths.
Hatred oozes to the surface in the presence of my enemy.
I always suspected Palaena was behind their deaths but never proved it.
The rumors surrounding my family and their early graves follow me as much as my dreaded nickname. But everyone in Axidoria was told my family’s deaths involved traveling on business.
When my mother and sister died, we used the same explanation. For all we know, they could have died during travel, gotten attacked by animals, or murdered by bandits.
Or taken prisoner and assassinated by Palaena.
But I could not say that aloud without backing my claims up for fear of the Makers’ wrath.
I had Niko lead the investigation. We sent our best spies and many letters, even resorted to mercenaries. No word ever came back, and neither did the people.
The false hope, the cost of that while trying to feed my kingdom, plus the pressure of seeking answers took a toll on my heart. My grief, my powers, and my attempts to rule a kingdom were already unbearable, and I needed to make a choice.
Without any proof, I knew I would not be able to do anything. And as much as I wanted andneededthat closure, I called it off.
I couldn’t bear to look into it anymore but hoped, one day, I could.
The same thing happened when Mother believed Palaena was behind Father’s death. She tried to convince our priests and the other kingdoms to help go against Palaena.
But they all knew this was a serious accusation and could not be taken lightly.
It was the first potential attack against a neighboring kingdom, and to avoid the wrath of the Makers, the priests and the other four kingdoms required proof.
It would gain Mother support, so she left with a plan for trade to grant an audience with the King of Palaena.
She, too, never came back.
I tried to argue the disappearance of my family was evidence enough. But Niko, the priests, and the other kingdoms agreed it was not.
But through thismonster’ssmugness before me, I know they are behind my family’s deaths.
My heart falls into a frenzy, my mind calling forth my magic with a sense of urgency. I plea, leaning into resentment and vengeance to awaken my power to keep this monster away.
Winter sings in my bones, caressing a chilling breath as it creeps up my spine. Exertion from anger and pain leave me heaving. The sharp, bitter cold forces my teeth to chatter as a numbing sensation runs down my arms.
I yelp in alarm, staring in shock at the frost glimmering on my skin. Gasps of panic escape over the terror of my magic working against me.
Rick—orJerrick—squats in front of me, covering my arms with his hands, warmth dissolving the swirls of ice on me.
Despite his assistance, it does nothing to suppress the vengeance I wish to seek against him and his family.
Recoiling from his touch, I pray to the Makers my magic will sync up with my rage and help me.
“Get your hands off of me,” I demand.
“Feeling warmer yet, Frostbite?”
