Frost Bound (Entangled with Trickery #1)

Neve

Chapter Twenty-Six

Neve

Neve nodded to the nonnaettes , who bowed to him before filing out the door behind him. It closed with a soft click, leaving him and the valles alone. Maybe for the first time ever. She slowly stood from the chair and faced him, her expression serene.

She dipped her chin and did a small curtsy before rising. “My lord.”

He watched as she seemed to focus on his chest, not looking up into his eyes. Perhaps his gaze unnerved her as much as Dahlia’s unnerved him.

Silence stretched awkwardly between them, and Neve found himself wanting to shift from foot to foot—something his povvar had trained out of him years ago.

Never let the enemy see you sweat.

He placed his hands behind his back and clasped them. “How are you feeling?”

She blinked, as if surprised by the question, fiddling with her ring. “I’m much better, thank you.”

The healer had told him as much. Nonnae had expressed concern about her lungs, but it was something that could be monitored from the palace. She could travel, and that’s what mattered. He needed to get home.

“It is time for us to depart. I have stayed longer than I should have.” Her brow wrinkled, and he arched a brow in question. “What?”

“I did not ask you to stay, my lord. You could have left me here.”

“As if I could leave my reilleve behind.” Truly, he’d thought about it, but ultimately brushed it aside. Dahlia needed more protection than he realized. And after he’d been apprised of how delicate humans really were, well, he didn’t trust her not to die while he was away.

Isn’t that what you originally wanted?

“I’m not ready.”

“You have to be.”

The elders from the Seed had already asked him penetrating questions concerning their new queen. His people were split down the middle—half accepting her, the other hating her on principle. If he was to unite his kingdom, Neve had to dote on his little human wife so his people would accept her as their own too. Leaving her behind did not send that message.

You’ve never doted a day in your life.

“What about my cough?”

Neve was prepared for this. “ Nonnae said you can travel now. She has prepared tonics to protect your lungs and aid healing.” He waved a hand toward her legs. “You will ride with me sidesaddle to protect your thighs from any more damage. I have also arranged for stops each night at proper inns so you may be tended to, and warm yourself properly.”

Her jaw dropped, and then snapped closed. “As generous of an offer that is, my lord, I’ll ride my own rukhal .”

He clicked his tongue, rocking back on his heels. “It is tradition that the bride ride with her husband. You will ride with me, wife.”

The placid mask on her face slid away, revealing growing anger and absolute determination. “Make no mistake, reillov , we might be bound, but I am not your wife.”

“Be that as it may, as you said, we are bound. There is no going back.” Neve pointed to the window. “Our people have been waiting to meet you for a fortnight.”

“ Your people, my lord.”

His jaw clenched. Why did she have to be so difficult? “You have made your disdain for the Loriian people abundantly clear since?—”

“No.” She sliced her hand through the air. “I’ve made my disdain for you clear.” For some reason, her words cut. “From the moment I met you in that alcove, you’ve done nothing but threaten, frighten, and bully me. I don’t like you, and I certainly won’t stand for it any longer.”

It seemed she forgot about all the things he’d done to make her life easier. The warmer clothes, food she was familiar with, the extra day at the barn so she wouldn’t have to travel in the snow, the rukhals instead of the wide horses. He accusations made him want to act like a villain. “You have seen nothing yet, valles .”

“Stop calling me that,” she ground out. “My name is Dahlia.”

“I will call you what I like.” He ate up the distance between them and captured her chin, lifting until she was forced to meet his gaze. “Hate me all you want, but the outcome will not change. You are lae niliave , my wife. You will get on Cessa with a smile on your face as we try to figure out the mess we have both been thrown into.”

Her breath sawed in and out. “And these are the words of my husband?”

“No, these are the words of your king.”

For a moment, he thought she might spit in his face. Instead, he watched with wonder as she shuttered her gaze and wiped all expression from her face. Once again, a blank mask.

Neve should have felt triumphant at getting his way, but instead hated that he couldn’t read the princess.

No. Your queen.

Unconsciously, he ran this thumb across her plush bottom lip, his claw skating her bowed top lip. Why was he so intrigued with her pink mouth? Why did it draw his attention?

There is something wrong with you.

Dahlia jerked out of his grip, her breaths coming a little faster. He stared at his callused fingertips, the phantom feeling of her soft skin leaving a tingling sensation behind.

Maybe she was a witch.

“I have a request,” she stated.

He arched a brow. “Oh?”

Her little fists clenched at her sides, but other than that, she was a mirror of serenity. “I would like Loshika to come with us if she wishes.”

“I procured a healer from the city.”

“I want Loshika. She’s been with me while I’ve been sick. She has more hands-on knowledge about my health.”

Neve shrugged. If it made her more biddable, it was an easy ask. “Fine. I will send Loshika in with your clothes. She will help prepare you for the journey. You can ask her yourself.”

It was only one small win, but he’d take it.

More fights were to come, he was sure.

Olwen readied the rukhals as Neve weaved through the throng of people, clasping arms with warriors, blessing new marriages and newborn children as Flyka shadowed him. His face hurt from smiling, but it was a good hurt. This was what he loved, where he truly wanted to be, among the people, not sequestered in the palace playing chess against the rest of the known world.

A crescendo of cheers rose behind him, and he turned to face the healer’s home.

His loviaye stood on the porch, once again dressed in white. Her cloak was trimmed in white fur that framed her face. She pushed back the hood, revealing her golden hair that shone a pinkish-red in the light as she stepped toward the stairs, skirts flowing around her legs. A small bud of pride unfurled in his chest at the foreign but regal presence she had.

Her hazel orbs scanned the crowd, a sweet smile curling her lips. Motion in the sky caught his attention, and cries of delight sounded in his ears as an astrylle landed on the pitched roof right above Dahlia. The massive bird of prey, with its white feathers trimmed in black, and gold eyes, studied the people below and hooted once.

The crowd cheered.

“You’ve been blessed,” Flyka murmured, awe in her tone.

The astrylle took flight and swooped over the crowd.

Neve smiled at Dahlia, who stared wide-eyed at the departing astrylle .

He held his breath as a child escaped his mother and scampered up the stairs as fast as his chubby little legs could carry him. The young boy held a black lysterm flower in his pale blue hand as his mother reached the bottom of the stairs, chastising him.

Dahlia knelt on the porch and smiled at the little boy. “That’s a pretty flower. I’ve never seen on that color.”

“ Lae reilleve ,” he said, placing his other hand on her knee and holding the flower out to her.

The mother made a distressed sound, and went to snatch up her son, but halted as Dahlia ducked her head to meet the wee one’s gaze.

“ Jiaell vei ,” she murmured softly. “It’s beautiful.”

Thank you . When had she learned that?

Neve watched as she took the proffered flower from his chubby fingers and tucked the bell shaped flower into her braid. “Is it pretty?” she asked softly, ignoring all the eyes on her.

“ Sei! ” he answered. “ Mommar! ”

“ Sei ,” the mother murmured, pulling the little boy back down the stairs and into her arms. “Very pretty.” The mother bowed low, and the wee one waved as they melded back into the crowd.

Dahlia waved, a genuine smile on her face.

It struck him. Neve hadn’t seen that smile before. He found himself at the bottom of the steps, staring up at his wife. He held out his hand and waited, praying that she wouldn’t make them both look like fools. And hoping that maybe she could turn that smile on him.

Time slowed as she stared down at him, the smile fading to serenity.

Disappointment filled him. Stop it. Her smiles don’t concern you.

His hearts raced when she took one step, then another, and another, until her hand slipped into his own.

Relief crashed over him. Her fingers were so delicate in his grip. Everything about her made him feel like a monstrous brute.

He led her down the final steps, and the people of the village cheered. Neve led her to Cessa, and he dropped her hand, slowly reaching for her waist. Her breath hitched, and his gaze flew to her face and found no emotion, just her mask. It made him want to needle her, to cajole the valles until she stopped pretending.

Carefully, he lifted her up onto Cessa’s back. She squirmed when her skirt hitched up, revealing her soft trousers beneath. He tugged the dress down. “All better, my lady?”

She gave him a short nod.

Good enough.

Neve sprang up, landing on Cessa’s back behind Dahlia. She clutched at his forearm as he scooted forward, tugging her body into his own.

“Wave, wife. Give them a pretty smile for your king.”

Her elbow dug into his stomach, but it didn’t hurt. She lifted a mittened hand and waved, flashing her flat human teeth in a wide smile.

“For them I will,” she said out of the corner of her mouth.

He almost smirked at her audacity.

Neve preferred her fire to the indifference.

What else could he do to break through her wall?

He couldn’t wait to find out.