Thorns of Frost (Fae of Snow & Ice, #2)(6)

“What are your other two affinities, my prince? I know you have six total, but I only know of four.”

His lips twitched.

I fumed and had the strongest urge to slap him. “You’re not going to tell me, are you?”

“It would be more fun to let you figure it out. But as I was saying, why the sudden change from last night? You wanted me then. Are you truly going to act like you don’t want me now? That you don’t wish to be my wife?”

I tried to shove him away, but he didn’t budge. “Why would you want me to be your wife? Why would you want a female who despises you to be married to you?”

“But you don’t despise me.”

“I do.”

His lips kicked up in the most arrogant smile. “You don’t. I haven’t scented true hatred from you in over a week, and you certainly didn’t despise me last night, even though it seems you’re trying to forget our little encounter on the balcony.”

My insides tightened, and a flush of desire swept through me that was as raging as the northern winds. His smile grew. Bastard. I swatted at his arm, but he didn’t budge. Not even an inch.

“I was drunk. I always get a bit excitable when I’m drinking.”

“Is that so?” He ran the tip of his nose along the column of my throat. “You weren’t drunk, and don’t even try to deny it. I can scent your lie.”

Blessed Mother! I could hide nothing from this male.

He continued that embarrassingly pleasurable movement along my skin.

I gritted my teeth. Tormesh. Mother. Father. Tormesh. Mother. Father.

I needed to reclaim the absolute hatred I’d once felt so easily for this male. Because he was right. As much as I didn’t want to admit it, I didn’t hate him as much as I had when we first met. The other sides I’d seen—the tender, caring, and empathetic sides—were clouding my thoughts.

Truthfully, he wasn’t all dark. Just . . . mostly dark. Him relishing the thought of torturing Vorl reaffirmed that.

But the thought of what Cailis would think of me if I fell for him . . .

My hands tightened into fists. “I could never truly desire you, and I certainly can’t marry the male who killed my family.”

He stilled and lifted his head. A moment of silence passed between us, and then another. Searching my gaze, he finally said, “Do you trust me, Lara?”

I frowned. “Trust you? Of course not. How could I possibly trust someone who wants to torture another?”

His arm around my waist tightened. “Can I trust you?”

My frown deepened. “What in the realm are you going on about now? What does trust have to do with anything?”

His jaw clenched, and something flashed in his eyes before he veiled it. He gripped the sink behind me, caging me in as he leaned down.

My entire body grew rigid, even more so when his nose brushed lightly against my neck again, then his tongue darted out for a taste.

I shivered, and a sound of satisfaction rumbled from his throat. “Even though you fight me, your body doesn’t. You’re primed for me.”

I shoved against him, hard. Tormesh. Mother. Father. Tormesh. Mother. Father. “Let. Me. Go.”

His jaw clenched until the muscle in the corner looked so sharp it could cut through glass. With a rough inhale, he finally released me.

I jerked my chin up as my heart hammered. Every fiber of my body was coiled. Ready. My magic hummed with a vengeance in my gut even though I had no idea how to use it, while my core ached with desire for him. I wanted to stab myself.

But even though I had no rational explanation for my body’s fiery response to him, I did know one thing. I was the maker of my destiny, even if the king and the crown prince were trying to rule my fate. I would find a way out of this—Trial or no.

I crossed my arms and concentrated on controlling my breathing. “Again, why are you here?”

Nostrils flaring, he replied, “I’m here to take you to Harrivee Territory. There’s something you need to see.”





CHAPTER 2





Cailis sat wide-eyed on the bed when the prince and I returned to the living area.

“I need to get dressed,” I said briskly to Prince Norivun.

He leaned against the wall and hooked a foot around his ankle. “Don’t let me stop you.”

I glared at him. “Why don’t you keep Sandus company in the hallway, and I’ll let you know when I’m ready?”

“Do you need me to ring for Daiseeum?”

I rolled my eyes. “Do you really not know how to put on a tunic and a pair of pants without someone’s help?”

His lips curved. “Five minutes. Then I’m coming back in.” With that, he strolled to the door and let himself out.

The second the prince was out of the room, Cailis leaped from the bed. “Blessed Mother Above and Below, what in the realm was that?” she screeched. “Do you want to get yourself killed?”

I rummaged through the wardrobe, searching for the lilac-colored tunic the castle tailor had made for me. “Prince Norivun won’t kill me.”

“He’s a murderer, Ilara. He’s the Death Master of the continent. Of course, he will kill you!”

“You’re wrong. He won’t because I’m too valuable.”