21. Dove

21

DOVE

T hings have been quiet since our trip to the fairy fortress.

The rock below my window hasn’t glowed once. No more secrets locked away in the corridor—all I have to go on is what Glimmer told me about changing the King’s heart. The little snow fairy has been most helpful, tirelessly searching for any sign of the mysterious frozen lake. Though in the five days since I heard that whispered riddle, I’m beginning to think it’ll never show.

As for the King and I, well—let’s just say things have been quietly intense.

Take now, for example, the two of us sitting across from the roaring fire on opposite loveseats. The small chapter book in my hands occupies most of my time until I feel his heated gaze upon me. Glancing up, our eyes meet, and my mouth goes dry at the intensity in his eyes. Frosty looks as if he could pounce on me at any moment.

I’d give anything for him to do it, but it hasn’t been easy.

For the first time since arriving here, the warnings of time running out could not be clearer. Frosty meets me in the mornings and teaches me throughout the early afternoon. We share chaste kisses and gentle touches, but never much more. If he gets too carried away, the beast comes to life, and it takes him longer and longer to tame him.

I have not felt his mouth on my sensitive skin since the first time five days ago. I crave his touch—now that it’s been taken from me, I want it even more. Each time his lips brush mine, I want to pull him against me until there is no separating us.

One glance at his fingers cools my heady desire.

The discoloration appeared a few days ago. He told me it was nothing, but I could hear the worry in his voice. All the fingers on his left hand have begun turning white, and the frost spreads further down his palm each day.

How much longer does he have? How can I change his heart enough to break the curse? A curse I desperately want us both free of. Frosty deserves a chance to make amends and live as a better male.

My heart squeezes at the notion that I may have just found him, only to lose him.

Slamming my book shut, I settle it on the small table before me. Frosty’s eyes track every moment, a feral gleam rising to the surface before disappearing. The snowflake glows, and bright light illuminates the dim sitting area.

“What happened to the others living here when the curse was struck?”

Frosty’s eyes ice over.

“Everyone in the room when it was cast froze immediately. The others living in my realm slowly froze over time.” He shakes his head, his crown glinting in the light. “If only I could remember more about that day—of how it happened—I could’ve saved everyone by now. I spent months relocating their frozen bodies to the castle's basement.”

Frosty huffs a laugh.

“I was ashamed to see them—I couldn’t stomach it. It was a reminder of all of my failings.”

Reaching over, I rest my hand atop his. He shudders, his eyes losing focus for a moment. After a sharp inhale, he shakes himself again.

“I don’t think I was ever meant to end this curse. All this was just an illusion—tempting me with the idea of breaking it while knowing I never could.” He grips my hand in his. “I think—I think I took you knowing that. It was my final selfish act in this world and also my greatest punishment. To know you, but not get to have you.”

My heart gives a painful squeeze.

“I’m sorry,” he whispers. “For not being the male you deserve—for letting my people down.”

Moisture glimmers in his eyes. My breathing becomes painful.

“I wish we had met before all of this,” I murmur. “Maybe none of this ever would’ve happened.”

His hand cups my cheek, and I swallow my gasp. The frost-bitten fingers feel like ice against my skin.

“If anyone could’ve stopped me from becoming that wretched male, it would’ve been you.” I shiver as he smooths his thumb over my cheek. “The freeze is beginning—I can feel it. Fighting back the beast has depleted my magic. It won’t be long until I join the others in their icy prisons.”

Hopelessness weighs me down. If this is not the mark of a changed heart, then I don’t know what it is. Genuine remorse for what he has done is written in his gaze. What will become of me once he is gone? Sadness spears through my heart. I can’t consider such things. Frosty still draws breath, meaning there is still time to fix this.

“I will save you, Frosty. Don’t give up yet.”

His smile is sad as he brushes his lips over my forehead. My whole body tightens—turning hot. I need him. Each moment I spend with him, the feelings I have only intensify. It’s like I was brought here for a reason, not just to break the curse but to find myself and learn what I truly desire.

The Frost King has claimed my heart, and I gladly surrender to him.

“Come with me,” Frosty says suddenly, rising to his feet.

I follow suit and stare up into his blue eyes. Our chests brush, and I remember his lips on my bare skin. A shiver licks down my spine, and his eyes glow anew as if he knows what I’m remembering.

“Spend the day with me.”

“We spend every day together.” I raise a brow.

“No,” he shakes his head. “I don’t know how much time is left, and I want to show you while I’m still me. You’ve only gotten a glimpse of the wonders of my kingdom.”

Warmth pours from my chest and tingles my fingertips.

“I’d love that.”

“Good. Let’s take the fun way down.”

“What—”

Before I can say another word, Frosty hefts me into his arm. His muscular chest presses against my side as my arms wrap around his neck. With a nod of his head, the windows along the nearest wall fly open, and a cold breeze swirls into the room. Without warning, Frosty sprints towards the open window, launching us through it with a hearty cry.

I scream as I burrow into his neck. The wind whips at my hair and tugs at my dress as we sail through the sky. Icy winds carry us, and the world is one white blur. I close my eyes, not wanting to witness us hit the ground.

“Open your eyes,” Frosty calls above the wind. “I’ve got you.”

Reluctantly, I peel them open and am treated to the most glorious sight. We curl and twist in time with the wind. It pushes and keeps us afloat as we sore over the dense foliage below. Frosty’s hands tighten on me as I take it all in. The mountains loom ahead. From this height, I can make out their snow-white caps. Clouds peel back from the sun, and I feel its warmth press down on me.

I hold on tighter to Frosty as a laugh rasps out of me. It’s magnificent—a sight I’ll never forget. I glance up to find his eyes on my face. The emotion swimming in his eyes is too intense to name, but I feel it all the same—the warmth of it wraps around my heart.

A strong breeze guides us lower until I spot rolling heels. The stone tops of buildings can be seen just ahead. The breeze dissipates, and we fall through the air for only a second. Then, I feel soft snow break my fall. I squeal at the chill. Popping up from the heap of snow, I spy Frosty’s laughing face as he shakes the snow from his hair. He looks younger—more carefree.

Reaching for me, he plucks me from the snow and helps wipe the snow from my gown. With a wave of his hand, a white cloak with silver trim appears on my shoulders. The inside is lined with soft fur. Frosty secures it firmly before taking my hand and leading me down the hill.

A quaint town comes into view. The shops and homes are all made out of white stone. They glitter in the sunlight. Just like everywhere else in this land, they are eerily quiet. Entering the town square, I try not to recoil at the iced-over bodies lining the street.

Each one is frozen during a mundane activity. Some are crystalized, walking arm-and-arm with their friend towards a tavern. Strolling past a window, I see a family of three all frozen around the dinner table. Even their food has frosted over, and web-like ice crawls up their walls.

Glancing over towards the King, he dips his head. How they have all suffered. This punishment was too cruel. Frosty deserved to pay for his crimes and cruelty, but all of these elves and fairies? Was their only crime calling this land home? Surely, the sorceress must understand that her actions were just as cruel as the King’s.

Squeezing his hand, he tucks me against his side, using a finger to point to each building.

“My father would only go to that specific tailor,” he says.

Masse and Son’s Tailor are carved into the stone building's side. The ease with which the words come to me now is staggering. The knowledge Frosty has gifted me with has changed my life.

My eyes linger on the frosted glass. Behind it, rows of fabric and work tables sit. A frozen elf male stands with a piece of rope draped around his shoulders and a quill resting in his hand. He is frozen while making alterations—a project that may never be completed.

We continue in silence, our feet crunching on the snow below.

“That used to be the bookstore.” He nods towards another building. “That was the butcher’s. His wife owned the sweet shop next door. It was my favorite place as a child.”

He guides me towards it. The inside is still, with no frozen bodies to be seen.

“Every time my father needed something mended or my mother wanted a new book to add to the library, we would always stop by here before returning home. We’d drink steaming mugs of melted chocolate.” His gaze turns distant. “Those were simple times—happy times. My parents were a beloved monarch. They raised me to love this land and to fight for my people. I have failed their legacy, and I fear I won’t get to fix everything I have broken.”

I turn towards him.

“Do not despair. There is still time,” I say. “Glimmer has been searching for the frozen lake. Perhaps it is the key to?—”

His fingers skim over my mouth.

“I do not wish to give into false hope. It won’t be long now—I thought I had days but,” he pauses, looking down at his hand. The skin on his palm is entirely white. “I fear it may only be hours.”

Tears burn in my eyes at how unfair this all is. I wasn’t even given a chance to uncover the secrets buried here. How was I supposed to change his heart any more than I already have? What could we have built together, given more time?

He catches an errant tear with his thumb.

“Do not cry for me, Dove. I was shown one final act of mercy in all of this—you.” His lips brush over my forehead. “If the curse is not broken before I succumb to the ice, I want you to find my horse. It has been spelled to return to your village along with provisions. Whatever’s left in the castle, you are free to keep. My magic should hold and spare your family from any more hardships. This is my vow to you.”

Sadness encases my heart in ice.

“Do not lose hope, Frosty.” My voice is rough with emotion.

His lips twitch upwards.

“That infernal nickname,” he chuckles. “Somehow, you make it sound perfect.”

I meet his smile with a teasing one of my own.

“I’d happily call you by your name if you ever decided to tell me it.”

Sadness flattens his mouth. His hand drifts to my shoulder, gently twisting a tendril of my hair around his pale fingers.

“I don’t remember it,” he whispers. “Another thing the curse has stolen from me.”

The breath shudders out of me. The anguish in his eyes is as fresh as the snow around us. My heart shatters into a million pieces. How foolish I had been for thinking he did not want me to know his name—did not want me to call him by it. I can tell how much he cares for me. Why would he keep such a secret from me unless he had no choice?

My poor Frosty.

Pressing up on my toes, I meet his mouth with mine. In a second, we are fevered, fighting with teeth and tongues to see who can devour the other the quickest. His hands fall to my back, hauling me against him and his hardness. I moan against his lips, delving my tongue in deep. My hands curl into his chest, locking him to me.

We hold each other as if we could be ripped apart at any moment. His taste and smell overwhelm my senses until there is nothing but him.

“You are too good for me,” he growls against my mouth. “Too perfect—if only I had time to do this properly. Court you in the way you deserve.”

“I don’t need to be courted,” I whimper, kissing him harder. “I want to be right here with you.”

He pulls back slightly as we catch our breath. My nose and cheeks ache from the cold. The feral gleam in his eyes sparks before melting away. His hands trace up and down my back before digging into my hair. Pressing a soft kiss to my lips, he grins down at me.

“I promised to show you my kingdom. How easily I forget everything when I am with you.”

“Good,” I say, tilting my head for another kiss.

He rewards me with it before tucking my hand in the crook of his arm.

“Come, I have much to show you.”

And so he does.

We spent the rest of the afternoon flitting between the different shops. Frosty uses his magic to bring some of them back to life. At least enough for us to enjoy warm mugs of melted chocolate. The frost preserved most of the ingredients, and I’ve never tasted anything so decadent.

Strolling through town, the frozen inhabitants faded away, and everything felt almost normal. The bookstore had been filled to the brim with old texts. I could see why a female who loved reading as much as his mother enjoyed the shop.

The hours passed quickly as we milled about. We shared laughs and kisses. Everything was so perfect until Frosty began to cough. His muscles were drawn tight, and his eyes went wild. With a sinking feeling, I knew our time was nearly up. It wouldn’t be long before the beast emerged.

“I’m sorry to cut this short, Dove. I’ve used a lot of magic today, and the beast is growing restless. It would be best if?—”

A swift buzzing sound cuts him off. A glittering orb flies through the air before stopping between us. In a shock of blue light, Glimmer appears, her coloring as vibrant as ever. Her wings flutter at her back as she bobs with excitement.

“I found it!” she announces with pride. “The frozen lake. We need to hurry before it disappears again.”

My eyes go wide as they meet Frosty’s.

“I will accompany you,” he says, even as he nearly doubles over from a cough.

“Out of the question,” Glimmer titters. “I’m remembering more now, and I know the frozen lake will not welcome you.”

Blue rises in Frosty’s cheeks.

“Glimmer, I—for what I did to your people, I’m so sorry. If only?—”

“We don’t have time for that. Apologize to me once the curse is broken.” The snow fairy flies towards me and snags a piece of my hair. “We have to go now. There isn’t time to wait for it to reappear again.”

“It’s too dangerous,” Frosty states.

I shake my head, touching his cold cheek.

“I will be alright.”

He opens his mouth to argue, but I silence him with a kiss.

“Trust me. You have been a good male to me and shown me kindness. Taught me not just how to read but also about myself.” I meet his mouth again, committing the feeling to memory. “I will do everything I can to ensure you get to show the people of this land the male I’ve come to know.”

Frosty shakes his head.

“How was such a wretched male like me blessed to know you?”

We kiss again. His hands are seeking underneath my coat. He cups my bottom, roughly shaping it as I moan into his mouth. The world around us melts away. My heart hammers against my ribs, and I clench my thighs together to soothe the ache.

A throat clears delicately, and I remember we aren’t alone.

“We have to go,” Glimmer urges. “Now.”

Reluctantly pulling back, I give Frost a brave smile.

“I will be safe. Glimmer will lead me back to the castle.”

His eyes flash as he presses a hand to his stomach.

“Go. The beast is in a foul mood, and I don’t know how long I can keep him away.”

Appraising him one last time, resolve settles along my bones. I will break this curse—I will free all who are trapped here. With that decision made, I let Glimmer lead me deeper into the darkening woods.