Page 72 of Winter's Scorching Kisses
“The barn had been my favorite place to read.” Jasmine’s eyes took on a dreamy quality as she thought back to the past.
Adorra took a bite of the meat. “I would’ve expected you to continue your bookish ways, but I have yet to see one in your hands while I’ve been here.”
“Yes,” Jasmine sighed, “unfortunately, all their books are in a different language as you can imagine.” She held a finger into the air. “Although, I am learning their language, very slowly, but Dryden’s been kind enough to help me along. He even hired a tutor.”
Adorra eyed the king over her sister’s head. Why couldn’t any of them be acting brutish? The ice giant king was even trying to help her sister blend in. She took another bite of her meal as her gaze slowly drifted over the great hall, and all the people crowded around tables.
Then Jasmine leaned over and whispered in her ear, “Do you mind if we steal away?”
“Sure,” Adorra whispered back. Was this finally the moment she’d been hoping for? Was Jasmine about to tell her she wanted to escape and get back to their old life? Excitement pumped through her. She knew if she was patient it would all work out for the best.
They excused themselves from the table and quickly made their way through the great hall which was crammed full of ice giants who wanted to do nothing more than to have fun and eat their fill.
As they passed by Mathar’s table, he rose and followed them, but at more of a distance than he usually did. She eyed him over her shoulder for a second before Jasmine yanked on her hand, drawing her attention back to their fast pace through the castle corridors.
Once they reached Jasmine’s chambers, she shut them in there before guiding Adorra over to a couple of plush chairs near the warmth of the fireplace.
“What is it?” Adorra took a seat eager to know if her sister finally wished to escape the ice giant castle.
Jasmine took a moment, glancing between Adorra and the fireplace, looking uncomfortable.
“Is something wrong?” Had Dryden done something? He might be an ice giant, but if he’d hurt her sister, Adorra would bash his head against a wall. She might be a lady, but she wouldn’t tolerate her sister being harmed, emotionally or physically.
“You wanted some questions answered, and I think it’s time for us to speak.” Jasmine clutched her hands in front of her until they turned white. Jasmine was beginning to make Adorra a bit nervous.
“I do.” She ventured slowly.
“I feel as though I should start from the beginning.”
“I think you should.” So they could both be on the same track. Adorra felt her nerves work up inside her and she wished she had something to do with her hands. She was finally going to know the full story behind Jasmine’s disappearance and her husband’s death.
“Well,” Jasmine’s eyes shifted to the flames dancing around the logs in the fireplace, “I was reading a book in the stables.”
“Like you always do.” Adorra rolled her eyes as she gave a tense laugh, knowing she was trying to break up the story because she was worried about what her sister would tell her.
“Yeah,” Jasmine laughed, “but while I was reading, I heard some voices below me.” Her voice lost the laughter and was replaced with a more serious tone. “When I glanced over the edge, I saw Lord Gothar and Keir speaking below me.”
Adorra wanted to ask questions as Jasmine told her what had happened, but she kept her mouth closed. If she kept interrupting, they’d get nowhere and only drag out this story, and she wanted it out in the open.
“As I listened into their conversation, I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.” Jasmine turned her eyes back to Adorra and made direct eye contact with her, her eyes pleading with her to believe her next words. “They were talking about how to get rid of you so that Lord Gothar could have everything a marriage to you would bring him without having to be married to you for long.”
Adorra felt herself shaking her head, but she stopped herself. “Please continue.” She might not believe or like what Jasmine was telling her, but Jasmine had no reason to lie to her. Jasmine had never liked Lord Gothar, but she wasn’t a lier.
“Unfortunately, I’m not a great snoop it turns out, and as I leaned over the edge of the rafters,” Jasmine raised a hand and curved it as she demonstrated how she looked over the edge, “the straw gave way under me, and I fell to the ground.” Jasmine’s hazel eyes grew distant as she went back to the time she was speaking of in the barn.
“Thank the heavens you weren’t killed.” Lesser falls had killed other people.
“Indeed.” Jasmine agreed. Again, she turned her eyes to the fireplace. “As I laid there on the ground, Lord Gothar and Keir came to stand over me. I couldn’t believe my ears.” She faced Adorra again. “Truly. I hated him from the moment I met him, but I still couldn’t believe what I’d heard or what I was about to hear.”
Adorra waved her on, eager to know more, to know the side Jasmine knew.
“They began to discuss how to get rid of me. The next thing I know, he ordered Keir to get rid of me in the mountains. A place where no one would search. I think I was drugged, and then the rest is a blur.” She waved her hand in the air. “I know Keir took me into the mountains until he couldn’t go any further.”
“Wait.” Adorra digested the information. She had noticed Keir disappear around the time that Jasmine did, but she couldn’t believe Edmund would have anything to do with something like that. He was a kind man.
Jasmine watched her in silence.
“Continue.”
