Frost Bound (Entangled with Trickery #1)

Neve

Chapter Five

Neve

“Who sent you?” Neve bellowed in the human’s face. The man didn’t flinch.

A professional assassin, then.

Disgusted, he tossed the tied-up man back into the flimsy chair and paced toward the door. Three hours of interrogation and still nothing.

“Take him away,” he growled.

Two of his Haunts peeled away from the walls of the small inn room and dragged the assassin out. The door clicked shut and Neve sighed, waiting for the trio of I told you so ’s from his closest friends. He brushed his nose with the back of his hand, hoping it would erase the scent of the man from his mind.

“Who wants to go first?” he asked, turning to face Olwen, Eyri, and Flyka.

Flyka tossed her silvery white hair over her shoulder, all the while glaring at him. “If you’d been sleeping in this room, you’d be dead.” She leaned back against the far wall, the faded floral wallpaper making her gray skin look garish.

“You of little faith.” Neve nodded to his cousin, Eyri. “Are you alright?”

Eyri nodded from the foot of the bed and gingerly touched the bandaged wound on his chest. “It will heal quickly. It was just a scratch.”

Olwen scoffed and pushed away from the low-burning fireplace. “It was a bit more than that. It was thirty stitches by my count.” He crossed his thick arms and raised a black eyebrow at Neve. “You think our precautions were over the top now?”

Neve swiped a hand down his face, rubbing at his chin. When they’d suggested he change rooms with his cousin, it seemed extreme. They’d been traveling in Astera for only two days. No one knew their route but his inner circle. He’d begrudgingly agreed only because Flyka was so adamant, and she’d threatened to knock him out and move him herself.

He locked eyes with his Haunt; she stared angrily back. Hurt lurked in her eyes. Neve had done that. He’d hurt this passionate, strong woman. Another mistake that would keep him up at night. He should have known better than to get involved with her. At the time, he’d been a prince and she one of his Haunts. He needed to marry royalty, and she was forbidden to marry. Even without the saloes bride separating them, they would have never worked.

“It was a wise suggestion,” Neve admitted. “Once again, I am in your debt.”

“It is our duty to protect you,” Flyka replied woodenly. “You owe us nothing.”

Olwen snorted, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “Always the dutiful soldier. You might do this for duty, but I do it for the favors.”

Neve rolled his eyes. Olwen had been his best friend since they were children. He’d never cared about the advantages that being close with a prince could bring. Neve could be himself with Olwen. No judgment. No expectations. Just friendship.

Eyri adjusted his spectacles and smiled teasingly. “Favors such as floral-scented soap?”

Olwen fluttered his lashes. “I would do anything for soap from the south.”

The two began to natter on, and Neve’s attention drifted back to Flyka. She watched Eyri with a soft smile. His Haunt only ever showed that soft side to Eyri. Neve glanced at his cousin, who gestured animatedly with one arm. Eyri was goodness and light. He saw the world in a positive light most of the time and it uplifted people around him. Part of Neve wished his cousin wanted the throne. He would have made a good reillov .

“My lord?” Flyka’s voice called.

He turned back to her. Once again, she was the queen of ice. She rarely showed Neve her soft side. It was part of what had attracted him to her in the first place. She understood him—the way he wasn’t overly emotional, his drive and competitiveness. His life hadn’t been simple, and ruling giants wasn’t easy, as he’d seen of his father’s time as king. Someone was always coveting the throne, and people would do almost anything to attain power.

“Yes?” he said, moving to her side. He leaned his back against the wall, their shoulders touching slightly.

She didn’t move. Maybe she’d forgiven him.

“You cannot be casual with your safety.”

“I know.”

“You are the last true king, with no heir.” Her jaw tightened. “I still struggle with why you had to come fetch the saloes , but I supported you.”

Neve nodded. He’d honestly been surprised when she volunteered to come with the delegation to secure the princess. “You know why I had to come. How could I expect the people to accept this marriage if I wasn’t following our customs? Things must change.”

“As you say, lae reillov .” She swallowed hard.

“Speak your mind,” he murmured.

She turned to face him, turmoil creased into her forehead. “I understand that, but other arrangements could have been made. You are in too much danger, and the Frost Throne should not have been left unattended.”

“Lumi is responsible.”

“She is, but she’s not you.” He warmed at the compliment. “We cannot change the situation we are in, but I would ask you to trust my judgment when it comes to your protection. Eyri will continue to impersonate you until we reach Loriia. You’ll go by your middle name Arun.” He opened his mouth to speak and shut it when she gave him a stern look. “No questions asked.”

“You know I trust you with my life, Flyka. Nothing has changed.”

She studied his face as if looking for a lie. “Hasn’t it, though?”

Neve’s chest tightened. “ Lo bietelle .” I’m sorry.

“You have nothing to be sorry for. We both knew this was to be the outcome.” She shifted on her feet, a very un-Flyka thing to do. “We need to find the road back to friendship. I don’t like this murky area of unease.”

The tightness in his lungs eased some. “I as well.”

She gave him a small, crooked grin. “Then it’s settled. The past is the past and you’ll listen to your Haunts from here on out.”

“You mean you?”

“Who else?” She nodded to the door. “I believe it’s time for sleep, my lord. You’ll sleep with the other Haunts, and behave until we pass the Loriian border once more.”

“As my lady Haunt commands,” he said. Not that he would get any sleep. “What of the assassin?”

Flyka smiled, fangs exposed. “He’ll enjoy our hospitality until we can return him to his monarchs, of course.”