Page 71 of Winter's Scorching Kisses
Chapter 17
Mathar hated seeing Adorra like this. She was such a strong woman, and he loved that about her, but he could see all of this was finally wearing down on her. He thought it made complete sense. He was amazed she hadn’t broken down earlier. Throughout their journey through the mountains, she hadn’t broken down. Even when she thought he might be her husband’s killer she hadn’t lost her determination or backbone.
He let her go. It wasn’t like a human was going to make it far if she tried to escape. It would be reported back too quickly for her to get anywhere, especially with all the snow out there. He also doubted that Adorra would go anywhere until she had Jasmine coming back with her. She was protective of her sister.
If Mathar followed her right now, he would do nothing but irritate her. She needed some space away from him. They both needed some space away from each other.
But he did think someone would have to tell her the truth. He didn’t want it to keep eating away at her. She was smart, and she was figuring out different parts, but she needed the whole truth to heal the wound they’d all caused.
All he knew was that he wasn’t certain he was brave enough to be the one to tell her he’d killed her husband. He could only imagine her anger… and the tears… those he feared the most.
It was decided. He would get Dryden and Jasmine together, and they would finally figure this all out.
Mathar sat down in front of Dryden and Jasmine in Dryden’s council room.
“Why did you call us together?” Dryden asked as he leaned back and folded his hands together over his stomach.
“We need to tell Adorra what she wants to know about the night Lord Gothar was killed.” Mathar wasn’t about to beat around the bush. He was the type of person to cut to the chase and get it over with.
“I know.” Jasmine looked pained as she pinched the bridge of her nose. “I hate to see her guessing, trying to figure out who it might have been.”
“We must tell her what she needs to know.” Mathar insisted, seeing that Jasmine was almost at the breaking point.
“How can we without proof of what Lord Gothar was up to? All we have is my word.” Jasmine fretted.
Dryden sat still, thoughtful.
“What are you thinking?” Mathar asked him knowing his king would help them figure this problem out.
“There have to be memories we can dredge up. If this Lord Gothar is as cruel as you say,” Dryden glanced over at Jasmine, and she nodded, “then there have to be instances where Adorra suspected something or something wasn’t quite right. If you can get her to remember that, we might have a shot at showing her who she married.”
Mathar nodded his head slowly. “We just have to hope that’s true. Otherwise, she’s going to hate us all.” Him most of all.
Jasmine grimaced. “She’ll hate you all less. I was the one who asked you to kill him. Without me requesting your help, he would never have been killed.”
“She’s also most likely to forgive you over us, as you’re her family member.” Mathar just wished he hadn’t been the one to kill her husband, because she was going to hate him the most out of everyone. “Either way, she needs the mystery removed. Adorra deserves to know what happened even if we have no proof.”
“Then it’s settled. You will tell her.” Dryden sat forward having made a decision and rose from his chair.
“Woah, wait!” Mathar barked at his king as he rose out of his seat.
“Yes, Dryden, he shouldn’t be the one to do it.”
Mathar sighed in relief. He was glad Jasmine was on his side because he did not want to tell Adorra about his involvement.
“It should be me, Dryden.” She pointed to her chest. “I was the one who got you all involved in the first place. And she will come to understand sooner if it’s from her sister and not from some ice giant.” She looked over at Mathar. “No offense.”
He waved it away. “None taken.” Because he was some giant. He was nothing special to Adorra despite the fact that they couldn’t keep their hands off each other.
“Now I just have to figure out a way to tell her about it.” Jasmine heaved a sigh. “I suppose after dinner I will take her to our room?” She looked over at Dryden for approval.
He nodded.
Mathar felt a huge weight lift off his shoulders. Finally, Adorra would be on the same page with everyone else, and he wouldn’t have to feel like such a piece of shit. He was her husband’s killer, and he hadn’t said a word to her about it. Instead, he’d been lusting after her while he knew she would hate him the moment she knew the truth.
“How have things been at the manor?” Jasmine asked as Adorra slid another slice of meat onto her plate.
“For the most part, good. One of the horses delivered a foal not too long ago.” Adorra was glad to be back inside the ice giant castle.
