16. Dove

16

DOVE

I ’m waiting for the King when he arrives at my room the following day.

I am wearing my thickest gown, made of heavy red wool that molds to my body. The neckline and sleeves are adorned with pale fur, matching the cloak's lining draped along my shoulders. Stockings cover my legs, and thick leather boots encase my feet.

White satin gloves cover my hands, and I can’t stop wringing them.

A million questions swirl around my mind. I barely slept after returning to my room. What I had witnessed was enough to retrieve some dormant memories from Glimmer. The things she revealed to me had made my stomach turn.

There is a soft rap against the door before it swings open. He’s here—Frosty—looking as handsome as ever. Dressed in his usual simple shirt and pants, his smile is easy as he breezes into my room. My stomach flutters at it, even if my face remains severe.

He draws up short as he stares at me. The easy smile melting away into a look of apprehension.

“What’s wrong? What’s happened?”

Worry laces every word. Crossing my arms over my chest, I shake my head.

“How could you do that?” I demand. “Take something so sacred to them.”

According to Glimmer, the power and significance of the relic could not be understated. It meant everything to her people. Not only was the magic powerful, but it was also a symbol of where they came from—a rich piece of their history. For the Frost King, who serves as their protector and ruler, to be the one who stole it turns this crime into more than theft. It was a declaration indicating that the snow fairies were lesser than others under his rule.

It is an unforgivable offense.

Glimmer had said that returning it would be the bare minimum. She recalled her people's agony over the stolen egg, which many deemed an omen of their forthcoming demise. Then the curse came, and they all turned to ice.

The memory of the egg’s disappearance had faded from Glimmer’s mind until she glimpsed it last night.

Frosty’s white brows pull low over his vibrant eyes.

“I have no idea what you’re referring to.”

Reaching into the pocket of my gown, my fingers graze the raised surface of the bejeweled egg. It hums in my hand. Even the snowflake at my throat dims in supplication to its power.

I extend the relic toward the King. His eyes widen, and his jaw unhinges. His blue skin turns a shade paler as he lifts a trembling hand toward it.

“I remember. I took it—but I don’t know why.” His eyes blaze into mine. “How did you find it?”

Gently, I tuck it back in my pocket, careful not to jostle the delicate egg.

“The corridor revealed itself again to me last night.” I narrow my eyes, and my lips curl. “I was shown a memory of you engaged in quite the sensual act.”

The Frost King’s cheeks darken, and he looks away. I continue, ugly emotions loosening my tongue.

“You were drunk and proudly proclaimed to your advisor that you had taken the egg. To punish those little beasts, as you called them. Saying that if you had to suffer, so too did they.”

Frosty’s mouth falls open, but he wisely shuts it.

“We must return it.” I place my hands on my hips. “Now.”

He nods his head, his shoulders sagging.

“Of course. I know where it goes. I’m…I’m remembering.”

Brushing past him, I head towards the door.

“Good, then there’s no time to waste.”

I hear him fall in step behind me. I have no idea how to exit the castle, but my burning disappointment keeps me from asking Frosty for directions. Something heavy weighs my stomach down. He had looked upset at his action yet made no move to offer any reasoning as to why he may have thought doing such a cruel thing was necessary.

The vision last night had been horrible. It showed me a male that seemed in such contrast to the one I’ve come to know. At least he didn’t deny his actions—I don’t think my heart could take him also being a liar. It still feels raw after witnessing him with so many others.

My face feels warm at the memory. All those bodies, moving and moaning and?—

“That male you saw isn’t who I am anymore.”

The King’s voice cuts through the icy silence. He walks in step with me, guiding us down another series of steps and hallways. I bristle at his words, and my disappointment and jealousy force a humorless chuckle from my lips.

“No.” I agree. “Just a cursed monster who steals from those he swore to protect.”

As soon as I say the words, I regret them. The Frost King’s whole body rears back as if I’ve struck him. His powerful shoulders curl forward, and for a moment, he doesn’t look like a powerful frost elf male but a small child.

I shouldn’t care that I’ve hurt him. However, cruelty begets more cruelty, and I’ve never been callous. My hurt feelings have made me lose sight of that. Reveling in anger won’t break this curse any quicker. As for the jealousy…I’d rather not examine why seeing him with those other males and females affected me so much.

It was long before my birth, and I shouldn’t care, but that is easier said than done.

Pausing on the carpet, I turn towards him. I extend a hand and rest it gently on his arm. The heat pouring from him soaks through my gloves. His eyes lift, and I don’t enjoy seeing the anguish I’ve put there.

I have not forgiven him for his actions, but that doesn’t mean I must hurt him to express my displeasure.

“I—I didn’t mean that. I feel foolish for?—”

The Frost King turns away from me, my hand sliding from him.

“The only fool here is me,” he says bitterly. “My selfish actions caused all this, and now I must deal with the consequences. I have earned your distrust.”

I bite my bottom lip.

“Frost—”

“Let us go before we lose the light. It is quite the journey from here.”

With a wave of his hands, metal swirls through the air, and we land outside. My boots sink into the fresh snow. It is only about ankle-high. Staying close to my side, I follow Frosty as he walks us towards the forest's edge surrounding the castle.

A few birds flutter overhead. The scent of fresh pine is crisp in the morning air. The breeze is cold, but luckily, the trees block most of the biting chill. I watch the green pines give way to white. We must be entering the White Woods, Glimmer informed me about.

Daring a glance at the King, his eyes remain focused ahead. Sunlight glitters off his silver crown. Despite the chill, he wears no coat. I shiver just looking at him.

We have entered into tense silence once more. Yesterday's progress is gone. Something in my heart urges me to speak, to make amends. The snowflake at my throat glows in approval, but what would I even say?

My disappointment has not gone away. Nor is it up to me to forgive him for stealing the egg. The King is right. His suffering is due to his cruel actions. If only his punishment hadn’t extended to those around him. How unfair must this sorceress be to curse us all because of one thoughtless king?

Snow crunches under my feet as I dodge heavy branches. The deeper we walk, the quieter the world becomes. No more birds fly overhead, nor do small creatures scurry up trees. Only the sound of breathing and heavy steps break up the silent woods.

I feel his eyes upon me before he speaks.

“You are right,” he says so softly I nearly miss it. “A monster—that is what I became. The death of my parents warped me into a cruel male who wanted the world to suffer as much as I did. To have the crown thrust upon the head of someone barely more than a child was more than I could bear. Unlimited power mixed with grief turned me into something ugly and wretched.”

The misery in his blue eyes makes my heart ache.

“I drank and fucked away all of my problems. My people suffered for it. Now, even with the curse, a part of me wonders if they all may be better off. Safer to be trapped in their icy prisons than to live under the rule of such a monster.” His eyes blaze with intensity. “I hate that you were forced to see that version of me—I hate that he ever existed.”

The self-loathing in his eyes cuts me to the bone. Warmth unfurls in my chest and I will it to wrap around him. I understand the power of grief—to lose both parents and then inherit a kingdom is quite the burden to take on. It does not excuse what he did, but it does help explain why he acted in such a way.

“Why did you take it? What could the snow fairies have possibly done to deserve that?”

He shakes his head, white air flopping over his brow.

“They didn’t deserve it,” he rasps. “There is no good answer I can give—only that behaving cruelly allowed me to forget about my pain. Whatever reason I had at the time for stealing the egg matters little. There is no excuse for it, and if I could go back and change what I did, I would immediately.”

I nod.

“You're making amends now. That is all you can do.”

I want so badly to believe him. He’s given no indication that he still carries those callous sentiments. Perhaps five centuries, subjected to a curse that’s forced you to live at the mercy of the same cruel beast you inflicted on others has been a proper punishment. There’s no doubt he’s suffered. The only question remaining is if there is enough time to fix all the damage his actions have caused.

“Because of you,” he whispers, breaking me free of my thoughts.

“Me?”

“Without your help, I never would’ve remembered just what an awful thing I did. This wrong never would’ve been righted. I’ve had centuries to do it.”

“That’s not entirely your fault—the curse had stolen the memory of it.”

The Frost King shakes his head.

“I wonder now if part of me had wanted to forget.” He blows out a breath. “For the first time, I’m considering if my true punishment was to force me to live in the world I was creating. One that would’ve been born out of my selfishness and neglect. I do not doubt that if I continued on that destructive path, I would be in a similar situation to the one I’m in now.”

“You can’t think like that,” I say. “Nothing stays the same—people can change. What is the world without forgiveness?”

He gives me a sad smile.

“I’m not people, Dove.” The King’s hand ghosts over my cheek. “And I don’t deserve forgiveness.”

“If you truly wish to make amends, you do.”

His fingers skim over my skin before falling away.

“You have a kind heart. If only—” He closes his eyes before picking up his steps. “Never mind, we’re here.”

Turning away from him, I stare at the sight before us.

A large archway made of glass and white crystal rises before us. It sparkles in the white light of the sun. Passing underneath it, the air hums with power, and the sharp sting of metal pricks my nose. It’s eerily quiet. Not even the branches dare snap in the wind.

As we pass tiny homes nestled amongst the trees, our feet crunch along the ground. Each one sparkles brilliantly. The whole fortress seems to be covered in glittery, shimmering?—

A gasp falls from my lips as I realize what’s giving off the sparkling glow. It’s bodies—hundreds of them. They are the same size as Glimmer, except they are made entirely of ice. Their tiny bodies remain frozen in their homes or lounging on tree branches. Some have fallen into the snow below, their wings spread as if they iced over mid-flight.

My heart cracks at the thought of Glimmer—this is her family, her friends—she’s had to endure these centuries all alone.

“I haven’t been here since—” The Frost King swallows loudly. “How could I let this happen? Look at them. They didn’t even stand a chance.”

Tears burn in my eyes, but I blink them away. Digging into the pocket of my cloak, I find the egg and hand it to Frosty.

“Then take the first step in making it right.”

Holding the egg, he gently traces the delicate row of silver jewels. The Crystal Egg glows in his hand. Frosty lets out a delicate hiss but never drops the relic.

We walk through more snow, careful not to step on any fairies. Soon, we reach the center of the fortress. There lies a statue taller than even the King. It is made of dark stone, save for her wings, which are made of white crystal. A hood is pulled over her head. Her lips are carved into a gentle smile. Two hands are cupped in front of her, the stone in the center of her palms slightly paler than the rest.

Walking towards it, Frosty gently sets the egg back in her hands.

Nothing happens for a moment until the Crystal Egg blazes with life. Blue and white light pour from it and up the statue. The wings at her back glow in blues, pinks, and yellows—shimmering enough to sting my eyes. The King is at my side, half standing in front of me in protection.

“ See . Feel .” a voice whispers through the trees and swirls around us. “ It takes one to see but two to feel. Hidden deep within the frozen lake, the secrets will reveal .”

The glow of the egg dies down, and the wind relaxes into a gentle breeze.

“Wonderful,” I murmur. “Another riddle.”

Frosty turns towards me with a raised brow.

“I didn’t hear anything.”

“Of course not.”

“We should head back.” He glances towards the sky. “Those clouds mean more snow.”

Above us, heavy white-gray clouds roll along the blue sky, blotting out the sun. Already, the temperature is beginning to drop. Looking over towards the statue, something kindles in my chest.

“Wait.” Before he can turn, I snag his arm. “I’m happy you did that. Hopefully, it brings us one step closer to ending this curse.”

His hand comes to rest atop mine.

“I didn’t do it for the curse—I did it because it was what I should’ve done long ago.” Dark blue blooms on his cheeks. “My motives were not completely altruistic. I wanted you to see that I wasn’t at all like the version of me you saw.”

“I know you're not.” He looks unsure, even as I give his arm a gentle squeeze. “That cruel, drunk king never would’ve spent hours teaching me to spell my name. He wouldn’t have cared to return the egg—keep showing me this Frosty. I like him.”

My heart races at my admission. Even the King seems at a loss for words.

It’s the truth. I do like him—more than I want to admit to. Sure, it’s quick, but why wait to acknowledge these feelings if time is running out? I like how he makes me feel. I enjoy his company when he isn’t behaving like a beast. More than that, I want to believe that the King I saw is not the one who stands before me today.

All my residual disappointment leaves me. This newfound bond between us deserves a chance to grow. If I let it, the path toward breaking the curse will reveal itself more easily. At least, I hope so. The snowflake at my throat hums, causing my lungs to vibrate. It is pleased with my confession.

“He—um—I like you too.” His face is awash in dark blue.

“What’s not to like? One day in my presence, you're already returning stolen sacred relics.” I shrug. “Who knows what you’ll have accomplished after a week in my company?”

He chuckles, tucking my hand in the crook of his arm and leading us from the fortress. I lean against his side as we pass under the archway. The warmth of his body seeps into me through my layers of clothing.

“It’s still early,” he says. “If you wanted to return to the library, we could?—”

Frosty goes silent, and his whole body tenses. For a second, I think he is about to be consumed by his beast. The vein in his neck is pulsing, and his fingers have curled into claws. I do not want to be stranded out here with that thing.

I open my mouth, but Frosty pins me with a sharp look.

“Get behind me. Now.”

I’m about to ask what’s going on when I hear it.

The snap of a twig is followed by the echoing snarl coming from just ahead of us. The white evergreen trees fall back, their branches snapping as it makes its way towards us. I can feel the ground rumbling with each mighty step. Its glowing blue eyes emerge first from the shadows. Then, two rows of sharp teeth and a saliva-soaked red tongue appear. It walks on all fours. Its white fur-covered body is corded with muscle.

A bear, larger than any I’ve seen, stares us down. Its eyes lock with mine as it scents the air.

The Frost King slides in front of me in one fluid movement.

I take a slow step back, trying not to make a sound. Blue light tingles in Frosty’s palms as the taste of metal coats my tongue.

“I will use my magic to take you back to the castle. I just need you to?—”

A roar rips through the forest, sending birds and other animals scattering.

Its white fur blends into the snow as it races towards us with imperceptible speed. Its maw yawns open as it leaps through the air with claws and fangs extended.