Page 40 of Frosty and the Reaper
Zander listened to her excited chatter as they wandered down several corridors. The Winter Palace looked like it was carved from enchanted ice and silver and blue veined white marble. While beautiful, it felt cold and unwelcoming. It was not difficult to see why some people called it the Frost Palace. It wasn’t just because of the ruling family’s name.
It was the ambiance itself that gave off that impression.
Because of its massive size, each area within the palace felt isolated. He knew from her memories that the former king and queen resided in the opposite wing. They could literally go their entire lives without ever bumping into one another if need be.
When they arrived at the double doors leading to her bedroom suite, the doors automatically unlocked and slowly swung open. Soft, ethereal light filled the large space, and partially frosted glass windows stretched from floor to ceiling of one entire wall. The frost gave way to a crystal clear view of snow-laden mountains and shimmering auroras dancing across the night sky. Right now, a light dusting of snow fell, covering everything outside with a silver sheen.
The bed was a grand canopy made out of white wood carved with decorative flowers, matching the dressers and standing wardrobe set against one wall. Opulent blue drapes hung around the massive bed that was covered with a mountain of pillows and a velvet blanket the color of night fog.
A large fireplace set into a wall was filled with enchanted blue flames that threw off a gentle warmth, never melting the icy decor but warding off the chill. An elaborate chandelier that looked like it was made of icicles hung down from the vaulted ceiling, refracting light into a thousand glimmering shards that flickered across the walls like stars.
Through an archway made of frost-covered crystal was a bathing room that was a mix of modern amenities and old-world charm. The centerpiece was a deep soaking pool carved from a single block of glacial quartz, its sapphire waters perpetually warm and infused with the scent of winter blossoms and healing minerals. White petals floated on the surface of the water, and steam rose in delicate spirals, mingling with the soft glow of the enchanted lanterns that hovered midair.
Zander wandered through the bedroom to the far end of the suite. Behind a door carved with swirling frost patterns was Kami’s art studio. It was a sanctuary of creativity and solitude. It was a circular room with a domed ceiling of enchanted glass that revealed the sky above. During the day, it would fill the entirespace with light. Now, dozens of lanterns were lit around the room, their pale amber light set to a dim glow.
The walls were covered with shelves lined with jars of pigments made from crushed gemstones, powdered snow, and rare herbs. A long worktable held brushes tipped with feathers and hair given freely from rare beasts, while enchanted palettes kept her paints fresh and vibrant.
Wooden easels stood ready to be used, and blank canvases were piled high on a table. Stacks of finished canvases were propped against the walls. Some were dreamlike landscapes, while others were vivid portraits of mythical beings. Each was a masterpiece in its own right, and Zander had trouble picking a favorite.
He could feel Kami in the studio and knew it was the one place in the entire palace that truly felt like it was hers.
Noticing another stack of finished paintings hidden behind a tall dresser, he started over to it. He felt her reluctance and knew those paintings were something she had never shown anyone else. Still, she silently gave him consent, not wanting to hide anything from him.
Every painting in the hidden stack radiated a deep, somber energy, as though Kami had woven her most intense emotions into every image. It was as if each canvas served as a tangible embodiment of the anguish and fury she had carried within her for years. There were paintings of crushed flowers and shattered glass, burnt remnants of something once beautiful, and a tarnished crown with traces of blood on it.
Her pain was visible through each sweeping brushstroke and the bold, turbulent colors. The raw vulnerability and honesty in these works made them impossible to ignore.
It was like getting a glimpse of Kami’s broken soul.
Overcome with emotion, he pulled her against him, wrapping his arms around her tight. He wanted to take away her previous suffering and shield her from all the pain in the world.
As if understanding the wild storm raging beneath his skin, she tilted her face up in offering. With a low, hungry growl, he slammed his mouth down on hers. It was a claiming kiss. A kiss filled with passion and longing, but most of all, with love.
Lifting her, he carried her back to the bedroom and laid her down on the bed, covering her smaller frame with his own. Slanting his mouth over hers, his tongue delved deep, stroking against hers in urgency and demand. A firestorm of desire burst to life between them, all-consuming and impossible to contain.
It was pure need, wild and unfiltered.
His fingers tangled in her hair, drawing her closer. She met him with the same hunger, kissing him with a desperation that made the last threads of his control disappear. Using magic, he removed their clothes and shoved her legs apart using his own. He lodged the head of his cock against her pussy and rejoiced at the slickness he felt there.
With one hard thrust, he buried himself deep inside her. He swallowed her cry of joy down and let out a triumphant growl of his own when her nails scored down his back. Once he was fully embedded inside of her, he stopped moving, holding himself still. He felt the tight muscles of her pussy stroking his shaft, tempting him to move.
He wanted to savor the moment. To bask in the glory of being one with her again. But she was tight and felt so damn good that it was impossible to hold back.
“Don’t hold back. Love me, Zander. Love me like only you can.”
“You are mine,” he growled, utterly incensed at the very thought of someone else touching her.
“My one and only,” she swore.
Kami’s words rang out with nothing but the truth. Pleasure wasn’t enough. It had to be him, only him, touching her. Being with him, she felt the freest she’d ever been. Even though he was stronger than her and dominated in all things, she ruled his heart.
“You do,” he confirmed without hesitation. “I will only ever love you.”
“And I will only ever love you,” she vowed.
She felt his cock throbbing inside of her, driving her mad with need. It was almost as if she could feel his heart beating within her core, truly merging them into one being. Although it felt wonderful to be filled by him, she wanted him to move.
Wrapping her arms around his neck, she whispered, “Zander?”