23. Dove

23

DOVE

B ursting through the castle's front doors, I pause with Glimmer’s fading body in my hands.

Frosty told me where his room was, but I have no idea how to get there. The snowflake at my throat hums to life, and I watch it lift off my skin and into the air. I don’t have time to be shocked or even question it. Allowing it to tug me up the first set of stairs, I follow it, knowing in my heart that it’s taking me exactly where I need to go.

The journey up to the third floor is a long one. All the while, Glimmer grows colder and weaker in my hand. Her lips have frosted over, and her wings no longer shimmer. I quicken my steps as the snowflake glows with more urgency. We take sharp turns down desolate hallways and the steps two at a time before finally reaching a landing.

It’s eerily silent, but I can feel a presence lurking here.

The snowflake pulls me until I am standing before two massive double doors. I recognize them from a vision with their jewel-encrusted snowflakes adorning their surfaces. Pushing open the doors, I find the room barren. The furniture has all been covered with sheets and coated in frost. A fire roars to life at our entry, and I quickly set Glimmer down before it. Her eyes have fallen shut, and I swallow the lump in my throat.

“I’m going to get help. Hold on for me.”

There is another set of doors towards the back of the massive room. I know what is behind them. The heavy breathing seeps from underneath the door, as does the faint rattling of chains. I straighten my spine and take a calming breath. I have returned Frosty from the beast before and can do it again. Walking over, I feel the cool metal settle against my palms and twist the handle.

An icy breeze rips through me.

Even the snowflake at my throat has dimmed its glow. The spacious room is empty. What was once a large bed has been shredded into splitters. Feathers litter the ground from the torn-apart pillows. Sheets hang in ribbons off the side and decorate the floor. Large, deep slashes cut through the wood paneling of the walls. Shattered glass and ice coat the floor.

A low growl lifts my gaze as I take him in.

The Frost King—or at least his body—is here. His eyes are feral—the pupils are nearly swallowing the blue. He is shirtless, clad only in simple pants. The corded muscles of his chest and arms flex as my scent hits him. He bares his sharp fangs, thrashing against the chains wrapped around his waist and wrists. Dread turns my stomach, but I won’t be deterred.

Coming into the room, I straighten my spine.

“What are you doing in here?” he spits.

Those cold, unfeeling eyes rove over me.

“It’s Glimmer—she’s been hurt. I need your?—”

“You know better than to come near me when I am like this. You should fear me.”

I shake my head. “I don’t.”

“Foolish girl,” he snarls. “I will be your destruction. I am a monster, and it’s time you saw me as such. Free me from these chains, and I’ll show you.”

A shiver runs down my spine, but I shake it off. I walk closer to him, slowly eating up the space between us.

“I’m not scared of you,” I say firmly. “This is just the curse talking.”

His head rears back. “You do not know?—”

“There is much I’ve come to learn about you since I arrived. I know the type of male you are, and this is not it. You are kind and gentle—compassionate. That is the type of male you are to me—one who is remorseful and capable of change.” I lick over my lips. “The type of male I’ve come to care for.”

His eyes flash as I settle my hands on his bare chest. I feel the hammering of his heart against my palm, and his warmth flows up my arm. I stare into his feral eyes and lay the truth bare.

“The male who is my mate.”

His eyes widen, and a shudder racks his whole body. Yanking against the chain, they groan as the feral look in his eyes intensifies. The stone wall behind him crumbles, but I don’t retreat.

“You won’t hurt me,” I whisper. “Please come back. Help me save Glimmer before it’s too late. Please.”

His whole body tenses as he lets out another snarl. The cursed crown atop his head glints as he thrashes. I watch the muscles in his neck twitch as he shakes from side to side. The struggle inside of him plays out before my eyes. The chains behind him pull from the wall. They slip from his wrists and waists, landing on the floor with loud clangs.

My breath catches as he goes wholly still.

Finally, he blinks clear blue eyes open at me. His skin is a shimmering blue, and his hands are free of their deadly claws. He stares at me for a moment, mouth slightly open. With flaring nostrils, he comes to life and crushes me against his chest. I bask in his pine scent, of the warmth of his body, even if he, too, feels colder than I would like.

There is still time to fix what has been done, but for now, Glimmer needs us. Once she is mended, I will do everything possible to uncover this missing piece. Frosty’s heart pounds in a steady rhythm against me. We both deserve a chance at the loving future I saw. In his arms, I feel closer to that vision than ever before.

“My beautiful mate,” he murmurs into my hair. “I’ve waited centuries for you. Even when I had forgotten what I was waiting for, I still knew you on that platform. I knew you belonged to me, and I belonged to you. It was why I chose you—my one final selfish act.”

“I’m glad you picked me.” My words are muffled against his chest. “There’s so much I have to tell you.”

As I open my mouth to reveal all I’ve learned, the words stick in my throat. Air rasps out of me, and I realize that the curse has affected my ability to share what I know. That sorceress is beyond cruel. Shaking my head, I look up at him.

“That will have to wait. Glimmer needs us.” My grip on him tightens. “But I will break this curse, Frosty. For all of us.”

He smiles, but it does not reach his eyes. Taking my hand, I am pleased to see the frost has not traveled further up his hands. That gives me hope I still have a bit longer to solve this.

Entering the other room, the Frost King kneels beside Glimmer’s shaking body. Her breathing is becoming weaker, barely more than a puff of air. He trails a finger down her chest, and she doesn’t stir. Shaking his head, he looks up at me.

“I don’t have much magic left, but I will save her. This is my promise to you, Dove.”

I nod and watch as blue, healing light pours from his hand. It encases Glimmer’s body. Gritting his teeth, Frosty pours more into her. Slowly, her color deepens. Her wings regain fullness, and her chest rises and falls steadily. Magic coats the air as every last drop he can manage is used on Glimmer.

Finally, the blue light dissipates, and Glimmer sparkles once more. Her eyes do not open, but her breathing is normal. I look to Frosty, who grits his teeth and staggers to his feet. He sways for a moment, and I come to his side. I swallow my gasp as I glimpse his hands, now white to the middle of his forearms.

Hopelessness rises within me, but I shove it away and burrow into the male at my side.

“She will live. She just needs rest,” he whispers, sounding out of breath.

The toll this must have taken on him is great. He leans further against me, and I do my best to help support his massive body.

“Thank you,” I say, kissing the soft skin of his chest.

After a few moments, he regains his strength and leans off me. I immediately miss the feeling of his body. The weight of the evening settles down on me, and suddenly I feel exhausted. A yawn slips from my lips.

Frosty takes my hand in his pale one.

“Come, you need rest as well.”

I allow him to lead me out of the room, comforted that Glimmer will be alright. We walk further down the hallway until we reach an unfamiliar door adorned with gold snowflakes.

“These are the king’s rooms. I haven’t been in them since—” he breaks off, and I gently squeeze his hand.

Quietly, he leads me inside. Much like all the other rooms, white sheets cover the furniture. Gently, he pulls one off the bed before wiping away the frost and dust. The fireplace roars to life and licks over my skin. The cold room warms quickly until my heavy clock feels too hot. I untie it and let it pool to the floor at my feet before toeing off my leather boots.

Frosty’s eyes rove over me, and anticipation kindles in my stomach. Reaching for the laces of my gown, I undo them until the garment slips from my body. I stand only in my thin shift and stockings, but Frosty’s gaze never leaves my face.

“You should chain me back up,” he whispers. “I don’t know how much longer I can keep the beast back.”

I simply shake my head, walking on quiet feet towards the side of the bed. I settle on top of it, the plush mattress cushioning me. The Frost King watches me through heavy-lidded eyes. He prowls towards me, placing his hands on either side of my hips. I breathe in his scent and feel my nipples harden.

“Stay with me. I want to be with my mate tonight.”

A shiver runs through him, and he shakes his head.

“You don’t know what you're asking for.”

I smile up at him as I slip my shift off my shoulders and let it pool around my waist. The warm air licks over my bare breasts. They are already begging for his touch. I rub my thighs together. Any nerves I have about what I’m asking for are gone. I want this—I need this. I won’t allow the curse to prevail without us claiming each other, if only for a night.

Taking his large hand in mine, I settle his cold palm against my heated skin.

“Then show me.”