Page 70 of Frost and Death
My motherleavesme like this. She knew how much I wanted to marry for love, like her and Father.
My jaw works as the three strangers linger in this bedchamber, knowing there is nothing and no one to trust here.
This is all a lie. A game for them to have more power. It has to be.
Mother would not do this to me. Yet denying her involvement does nothing to remove her signature and signet ring on this damned agreement.
A monarch’s decree is law. Living or dead, decrees drafted by monarchs have always been handled with the utmost care because they are viewed as being a message passed down from the Makers.
Laws like this are always followed, never broken.
To disobey what another monarch created is viewed as denouncing the Makers. And if I myself, being a direct descendant of the Makers, were to ignore this decree?
The unknown forces fear to crawl up my throat.
I don’t even want to imagine the consequences I will receive from the Makers when I die for not heeding this law for five years. Worry surges over me, my heart cracking with fear that my abilities could be a result of this.
But I had no knowledge of this.
I look once more at the decree, questions still running. This does not even grant me answers about what happened to my father.
I can’t believe Jerrick and Jonas are telling me the truth. It does not make sense I am hearing about this five yearsafterthe death of my family.
Why is Palaena deciding to reveal this now?
The thought of more unanswered questions makes my head pound.
Jerrick rustles into the void. “We need to honor this agreement. A monarch’s decree is law.”
“Shut up,” I mumble in anger, annoyed at how he is able to voice my own thoughts.
Happiness was out of my hands before I even considered marriage. My mother’s betrayal and dismissal of my wishes sinks my heart to the floor.
I rub over my heart earnestly, desperately wishing to be anywhere but here, wishing none of this was real.
Another stabbing sensation digs into my chest at the memory of Niko. I could be home right now in his arms.
“What if I sweetened this marriage arrangement for you?” Jerrick offers, knowing I’m backed into a corner.
I’ve been kidnapped, I'm in enemy territory, and now I’m being told I have to marry because of something my mother drafted when she was still alive. I remain silent, knowing whatever offer he has would do nothing to improve this situation.
I have to follow this regardless of whether I want to or not.
If I refuse, I might never have the chance to see my family again in the afterworld.
“If you agree to marry me and agree to help unite the kingdoms of Axidoria and Palaena as your mother and my father orchestrated with this decree, I will help you train your magic.”
I flick my gaze to him, and sarcasm crosses my features. “And what makes you think you know anything aboutmymagic?”
“Sweet Makers,” Jonas mumbles out, earning a chuckle from Dorit and a scowl from Jerrick.
They both squirm inwardly, elbowing each other like a band of misfits before Jerrick turns to me, ignoring them.
“You aren’t the only one with magic, Frostbite,” Jerrick says.
Trepidation pulses in my fingertips, the idea of harnessing my power comes with a great reward. If I learn more about my magic, I could stop Axidoria’s ongoing winter, and if I stay here, maybe I will uncover the truth about my family.
I drag my teeth across my lip as I think of the news reaching Niko.
