Frost Bound (Entangled with Trickery #1)

Dahlia

Chapter Eighteen

Dahlia

It only got colder.

Flyka had been right.

They’d set out just as soon as her hair dried from the bath.

Getting onto Anwen had been a feat in and of itself, and then staying there without crying another. The shaggy horse bore each of her flinches with dignity, but only after she’d offered him dried fruit. He loved treats.

Each time Arun would toss an annoyed glare her way, Dahlia would dig down deep and pray for strength. There was something about the giant that made her want to prove him wrong. To be stronger than he expected from a human.

It took four freezing days to reach an enchanting city called Kallere. Four days of her delegation speaking mostly in Loriian. She asked questions when she could and gathered information, but she had a feeling they were playing games with her. Which was why they spoke predominately in a language she did not understand. It was isolating.

The only bright spots were the plants that stood out in bright contrast against the untouched snow, their flowers almost defiant in their beauty. Her favorite were the willowy trees with pale grey trunks and thin, limber branches dotted with dark bluebell-looking flowers. The delicate trees stooped in the wind almost like a man bowing to his dance partner, their swaying tips almost touching the earth in homage.

Then there were her conversations with the Frost King. He was incredibly bright and had a curious mind. Any time she asked a question about one of the resilient plants, he always had an answer for her. There was something about how his eyes sparkled behind his spectacles when talking about the flora, that tugged at her chest.

How was she supposed to kill him?

Maybe it was a good thing that envoy hadn’t been incredibly welcoming. With each spouted fact about the Loriian countryside, she liked the king more. And it made it more difficult to contemplate her task.

Reaching Kallere was a relief, mentally and physically. It had charming little white frescoed homes that hosted rich timber supports that bisected the buildings. Slate roofs sparkled, making the place almost seem magical.

Her skin had tingled the entire ride through the city as giants stood in the doorways or along the road calling out in Loriian, tossing flowers and paper snowflakes at the king. They stared at her and whispered, sometimes touching her boots or legs.

Lia’s nose was stuffy, her head feeling like it was filled with cotton, and she couldn’t get warm. So it had been an unexpected joy to stop in a village outside of the city for the night. Not only did she receive her own room, a steaming bath, and proper nightgown, but a new set of white-trimmed leathers, a flowy skirt, and a bodice trimmed in warm fur. Dahlia had no clue how they knew her size. They were distinctly Loriian-made. But the thought didn’t bother her as much. As long as she was warm, that was all that mattered.

She locked the door and barely managed to push an enormous trunk in front of it just in case someone got ideas about coming in. She stripped off all her clothing, hid her ring, and painstakingly removed her hose, the abused flesh sticking to the fabric.

It was a whole other agony to bathe with open wounds between her thighs. Lia finally let herself cry without anyone watching, her chest shuddering as all the fear, worry, and pain of the last few weeks crashed down upon her.

Had Cosmos made it to Lantium? Had he found a safe room and board? Was her mum still safe?

The questions plagued her at night.

A fit of coughing took her, to the point she gasped for air and her lungs rattled, causing her head to ache fiercely. She tipped her head back against the stone tub and stared at the ceiling, bubbles lapping at her chin.

Godsteeth, she was so tired. The rattle in her lungs was getting worse.

You need a healer.

She didn’t dare say anything.

Dahlia closed her eyes and slipped beneath the water; all sounds muted. She held her breath and began reciting a song in her head—something she’d always done as a child. It helped her train to dive deeper when hunting for mussels in lakes as she and Cosmos traveled from city to city, performing for crowds.

Jolly good, darling, dance round and round,

You’ve nary been lost.

Set your heart free, don’t look to the ground,

Spirals and dips.

Jolly good, darling, you’re bound you’re ? —

A muted crash, then hands seized her biceps, hauling her from the water. She sputtered and then screamed. She clawed at her attacker and opened her eyes, only for soap to drip into them.

“What the qov are you doing?” Arun’s voice snarled at her. “Trying to drown yourself?”

“Soap in my eyes,” she yelled, trying to rub at them. They burned .

The giant dropped her, and she sank back into the tub, rubbing at her eyes. Cold water sluiced over her head, and she coughed, still rubbing at her eyes.

“Stop rubbing,” the giant growled. “Tip your head back.” She did as he bid, squeezing her eyes closed as if that would remove the painful stinging. “Now blink.”

It hurt, but at least he didn’t drown her. He continued to pour a little water into her eyes until the soap stopped burning. She pressed her legs to the bottom of the tub and wrapped her arms around her breasts as he glared down at her, teeth bared.

Thank the stars for the bubbles. They covered her body. Had he seen her legs? The water was deep enough that it should have at least covered her to the waist. Her relief was quickly overshadowed at the realization that he’d seen her whole top half.

Heat rushed into her cheeks. “What are you doing in here?” she barked, hating how he loomed over her.

He leaned down, his fingers curling around the edge of the stone tub. “Saving your life it seems.”

“I was fine. How did you get in here anyway?” She leaned back and gaped at the door. It was splintered in three places, and the trunk was halfway across the room. “What the devil?”

“My sentiments exactly,” he snapped, pulling her attention back to the massive angry male scowling at her. “Were you trying to kill yourself?”

“No!”

“Then what were you doing under the water for so long?”

She jerked. “How do you know how long I was in my bath?”

“I was assigned to guard you, and your crying and splashing stopped.”

Tears welled up into her eyes. He’d heard her sobbing? Her gaze moved to his long, tapered ears. Of course he had. There was no privacy to be found among the Loriian. “I was testing how long I could hold my breath,” she whispered, trying to keep her cool and not lose it. “It’s something I’ve always done.”

He pursed his lips and stared at her hard , like he was trying to see into her soul. “Your voice sounds different.”

She blinked at him. “That’s because I sucked in water when you yanked me from the tub and then dropped a pitcher of water over my head!”

“I was trying to help you, valles .”

Her brows lowered. “Don’t you valles me! My name is Dahlia!” She was so tired of being called princess or female . She’d always prided herself on being calm and pragmatic, but there was something about Arun that made her want to scream and quite possibly throw something.

He cocked his head. “You give me permission to call you by your name?”

She rolled her eyes, and he jerked. Seems the big ol’ bad frost giant was unsettled by her eyes.

The feeling is mutual, you big brute.

“Call me Lady Dahlia if you must.” The tension in his face seemed to melt as his eyes ran over her once again. Embarrassment rose hot and heavy as his attention dropped to the water that rippled around her neck. She cleared her throat. “Now that you’ve ascertained that I’m fine, please leave.”

He released the basin edge like he’d been burned, and backpedaled, pausing at the door. “I’ll have dinner sent up to you, and more blankets.”

With that, he spun on his heel and slammed the door shut. It shuddered on its hinges but held.

What had that been about?

A raspy cough escaped her. It didn’t matter. All she needed to focus on was cleaning her thighs, getting a cup of tea down, and a good night’s sleep.

Surly giants could go suck rocks for all she cared.