Page 99 of Frost and Death
“I’ll see you soon,” he whispers, his baritone voice soft and kind.
I smile faintly, watching him leave.
Betina’s gaze tracks him before she turns on me. “He is not handling your marriage well.”
I sulk deep into my bed. I figured that out myself by his shifting demeanor today.
“Y-You didn’t tell him anything, right?”
Betina’s eyes widen as she shakes her head. “No! Absolutely not!”
Relief swims over me at that, at least. I doubt Niko would want to know the details of my relationship with the King of Palaena, so I’ve kept them tucked away for both of our sakes.
Betina continues, “What happens between you and the King of Palaena while you are married is your business. Not mine or Niko’s.”
I crack a laugh, unable to suppress the reality of my arranged marriage. “Yeah, nothingishappening on that end.”
Betina cocks her head, lifting a brow as she asks, “Do youwantsomething to happen?”
I blanch, blurting. “No!”
Betina rests her hands on her hips as my face warms.
My defenses rise to prevent further focus on my marriage. “You said it wasn’t any of your business,” I scold.
Betina rolls her eyes. “That doesn’t mean I won’t ask.”
I groan, smacking my head. From everything that happened when I first met Jerrick in Axidoria to now, Istillcouldn’t shake the consuming thoughts of Jerrick touching me and kissing me on our wedding night. How he pinched my nipple so tightly I could’ve burst right there.
Sweet Makers, that could still happen, and I don’t know what I’d do then.
Looking back to my friend, I say, “If Iwereto tell you anything, you’d have to swear not to tell Niko.”
“Tove, you will always be my priority.” Betina places a hand over her heart. “What you say will always be held in confidence.”
The validation of our friendship warms my chest, leaving me feeling fuzzy. I can trust her, and it eases some of the tension in my shoulders, knowing that, with everything swirling in my mind, I can always count on her.
“What you say will always be held in confidence with me as well,” I tell my dearest friend, hoping she knows I share the same sentiments and admire her loyalty to our friendship and my role as queen.
A knock comes at the door, and I jolt, blurting to Betina. “I have to go.”
She swishes her hands with complete understanding I will never deserve. “Go, Go. Love you.” Betina’s tight-lipped smile matches mine.
“Love you, too,” I whisper, doing a rotation around the frame of the mirror and severing the connection from home.
“Tove?” Dorit sings.
I rest my mother’s mirror on the bedside, scooting up in bed as my heart races. She knocks again, and I brace myself for a quick inhale of breath.
“Come in,” I say.
The door swings open, and Dorit enters holding a tunic and trousers. She holds them up with a bright grin.
“I was told you have plans with the king today, so I’ve brought you new clothes.”
My own mortification sets in. I take in the pants and boots, terrified by the idea of wearing them.
Women in Axidoria do not wear trousers and tunics, and this is a custom often looked down upon. And I never worried about that because I love wearing gowns.Lovethem. But to have one of the last things I enjoy be taken away while I’m here is the final tear in my control.
