Page 83 of Winter's Scorching Kisses
Chapter 19
The moment Adorra stepped foot into the great hall, she felt the buzz in the air. Something was going on, and there was a tangible excitement. All the faces around her had smiles, and there was a gleam in all the ice giant eyes.
She approached the head table where Jasmine sat looking like a queen. Her little sister was going to be an ice giant queen. She didn’t look so little in a fur dress, her hair done up in small braids that formed a bun on the back of her head.
“Is there something I need to know about?”
“Know about?” Jasmine turned and glanced at her, looking a little weary after their last conversation.
“What has everyone excited?” Adorra seated herself beside her sister and snagged a couple of slices of cheese to nibble on as her gaze flickered over the crowd of ice giants in the hall and then back to her sister.
“Oh, that!” The light and sparkle returned to Jasmine’s hazel eyes as she clapped her hands together in front of her protruding stomach. “I guess we never told you about the games.”
“The games?”
“The games the ice giants use to celebrate their good fortune of living up here in the mountains where they are protected. Men will participate in the games, along with a few women, and at the end of each game there will be a winner.”
“Women?” Adorra reached for a slice of meat nearby. “What kind of games are these?”
“All sorts! Maybe you’d like to watch?” Jasmine smiled at her. “I know I’d enjoy having you there.”
Adorra nippled on the piece of meat she’d snatched as she debated it in her head. She couldn’t come up with a reason why she shouldn’t go and watch the games. It would give her something to entertain her mind, and she’d have more time with her sister.
“Where will these games be held?”
“Outside in an arena where the snow has been cleared off. So don’t worry about the snow too much, but you will want to bundle up. Today will be the first round of games.”
Adorra nodded.
“I’ll have some thick cloaks sent up to your room so you’ll be warm enough.”
“When will the games start?” Adorra was yet again doing something she shouldn’t. The more she did with these people, the more they had a chance to work their way into her heart.
“Soon after we break our fast.” Jasmine waved over a servant. “Send some cloaks up to Adorra’s room and also bring one here to the great hall.” The servant dashed off, eager to see to her queen’s needs.
“Are you ready for the games?” Dryden walked up beside them and rested a hand on Jasmine’s shoulder.
“I was just telling Adorra about it.” Jasmine tilted her head back to study her soon-to-be-husband. “With the excitement of her arrival, I forgot to even mention it!”
“I can promise you that you’ve never been to a celebration quite like this,” Dryden said with a twinkle in his eye. His silver hair had been braided, which was a new look for him.
“What are the ice giant’s celebrating?” She asked.
“Our wedding, of course!” Jasmine said, excitement coating her every word.
“Of course.” Adorra should’ve guessed. “Will you be participating in any of the activities?” She turned her gaze up to Dryden.
A smile spread across his lips. “I will be.”
“Anything dangerous?”
It took them a second before Dryden’s eyes darkened a little and Jasmine cried out, “Adorra!” She shook her head. “I know what you’re implying, and it’s most distasteful.”
Adorra cocked her head to the side as she glanced over at Dryden. “But he knows I’m only jesting.” It was a challenge. He could take it seriously and admit he was no good at the games or he could take it as a jest and let them all move on. It was up to him.
Dryden smiled. “I only hope I can impress the both of you during the games.” Then he took a seat on Jasmine’s other side and dug into the food that was laid out on the table in front of them.
“That was bad manners Adorra,” Jasmine scolded her. “And to think you were the one always scolding me on my bad manners when we visited court or had guests over at the manor.”
