20. The Frost King

20

THE FROST KING

T ime is running out.

He feels it more acute now than ever. It’s been running out the moment he brought her here a week ago. How could he have allowed this to happen? For years, he willed time to move quicker so that his suffering would finally come to an end. Now, all he wants is more of it—even if that wish is useless.

The beast roars to life every evening. He uses every available drop of his magic to be with her during the day. At night, when he is nothing more than jagged, rage-filled shards of ice, he thinks of her—of her kisses, her soft skin, the sweetness between her thighs. He’s only feasted from her once, and it is not enough.

To have found her is a triumph, yet he yearns for more. That greed is the reason he’s in this predicament. He knows it. He’s burned too much of his magic to keep the beast quiet. Soon, there will be nothing left.

And what will become of Dove when he finally succumbs to his punishment?