Page 22 of Gifted to the Frost King
Only this time, my fingers brush the wall before reaching behind the stone. I try to twist it, but nothing happens. It feels lifeless against my palm, not humming with power as before.
“I don’t know why it isn’t working,” I mutter.
Soft footsteps creep up behind me. Looking up, I realize I am at eye level with a very intimate part of the Frost King. Quickly, I rise to my feet, willing my face to not flush. The Frost King’s eyes are sad as she shakes his head.
“The secrets of this castle will not reveal themselves in my presence—only to you.”
I try and fail not to roll my eyes again.
“Of course they fucking won’t, Frosty.”
Slapping a hand over my, I’m mortified. I never curse—Mama hates it, but I can't hide my exasperation after one step forward today and twenty back. The Frost King—Frosty, I shall call him because the formal title is grating on my nerves—widens his eyes before tossing his head back. A booming laugh echoes out of him, and I can’t help but grin.
Amusement floods his blue eyes as he gently cups my cheek. I suck in a breath, itching to lean fully into his hold. His hands are deliciously warm and soft as silk. Biting his lip, he gently traces the hollow of my cheek.
“Why me?” I ask.
Frosty’s eyes turn serious. His smile dims as he strokes my skin again.
“I wish I had a better answer to give. All I know is that from the moment I saw you, it was the first time I felt like myself in centuries. I felt hopeful.” His fingers flex against me. “I truly am sorry for dragging you into all of this. This burden is not yours, yet I have settled it upon your shoulders.”
Releasing me, he dips into a dramatically formal bow.
“Please, lovely Dove, allow me the honor of showing you my castle.”
I incline my head as I watch dark blue dance over his cheeks.
“And,” he adds, “because I want to show you the male I am. The real me. I want to wipe the memory of the beast away and have a fresh start between us.”
Appraising him from head to toe, I bite my lip. I should tell him no—say to him that I have work to do if I am going to break this curse. The task already seemed overwhelming yesterday, and now it has worsened after learning what’s at stake if I fail.
Especially given the fact that I have yet to figure out where to start.
Despite that, I let the idea of spending the day with him flood me. The thought is a pleasant one. Part of me is still weary of him—of the beast, as he calls it. Yet a more significant, more demanding part of me wants to learn who the real Frosty is.
As the thought occurs, the snowflake at my throat glows in approval. The memory from last night resurfaces as I remember the old Frost King’s words.The snowflake will guide you home.Perhaps if I trust this magical crystal, I’ll be one step closer to reuniting with my family before it’s too late.
Frosty raises his brows at me.
“Let me change into something warmer,” I say. “Then I’d love to go exploring.”
13
THE FROST KING
The beast is sleeping.
Her proximity gives him the strength to keep it away. For the first time in centuries, he feels warm—like himself. Frosty, she calls him. That meddling snow fairy gave the nickname, yet it brings a smile to his lips every time she uses it. Walking beside her now, he can’t help but steal another glance at her.
She looks beautiful. The pale blue of her fur-trimmed dress compliments the dark length of her hair. Her brown eyes glow with wonder as she takes in the castle. Little gasps of amazement heat his blood to a raging fire.
A delicate shade of pink colors her round cheeks. How would that blush feel against his lips? His tongue? Do other parts of her turn that delicious color?
Swallowing his growl, he pushes the thoughts from his mind. He can’t give in to temptation—being next to her is more than enough—more than he’s ever deserved.
The snowflake at her throat glows, calling forth old memories. Happy ones from when he was a child. Memories he thought were lost forever. He’ll remember more soon—he has to.
For now, everything hinges on her.
