Page 125 of Wicked Prince of Frost

“Not outright, no, but you deliberately misled me.” As soon as the words are out, I see what I’ve missed all along. Joon had every reason to mistrust me when we met.

No one in their right mind would tell a thief their secrets.

“You have every right to be angry, but how could I tell you after seeing your family? It seemed too cruel.” Joon takes a step closer and holds his hands out to the side, beseechingly.

With those words, my anger melts away.

He wanted to spare me that pain.Thatis why he promised to free everyone from the dragon’s cursed ice after we already agreed to the terms—not as an incentive or blackmail, but to atone in the only way he was able tobecausehe couldn’t bear telling me everything.

I think part of me realized the truth when he killed Minister Ilseong, and every time I saw the flashing shimmer of scales race over his skin when he siphoned.

Joon sags, taking a half-stumbled step before catching himself with a wince. He is worn out and in pain. It’s strange seeing him so vulnerable.

My feet carry me to him without thought. When I reach for him to offer him support, he wraps me in his arms, bodycurling around mine in a hug, pleading for a type of compassion that has been lacking in his life for too long.

Unable to deny him, I return the embrace. “You should have told me.”

“I wanted to.” His voice is small.

“You still deceived me,” I say halfheartedly.

Every inch of him radiates defeat, unbefitting of the man I know and love. Joon pulls away, releasing me. “I tried to tell you I was a monster.”

So much hurt is an awful burden for one heart to carry.

Were our situations reversed, would I have been able to tell him, or would the fear of losing him have been enough to hold my tongue?

“You are not a monster, Joon.”

“What does the truth matter when the world chooses to believe the lie?”

“No matter how many believe it, it does not change the truth. I have seen the truth. I know who you are, and I love you. Faults and all, just as you love me for mine.”

His gaze snaps to mine, lips parting.

Whatever else needs to be said can wait. I take his hand and pull him with me toward the horses. Iseul holds Bear against her, wrapped in the edge of her cloak, while Mingi waits, holding the reins of the horse Joon and I will share.

We mount and begin the trek back to the palace. The two siblings ride ahead, giving us privacy to talk further.

Joon’s arms circle my waist, clutching me as if he’s afraid I will disappear if he lets go, and he rests his head on my shoulder.

We are silent for so long that, for a moment, I wonder if he’s fallen asleep.

He turns his face, bringing his mouth closer to my ear. Hisbreath is warm against my neck when he says, “Why do you forgive me so easily?”

“None of this is easy, Joon. I thought the worst of you. I almost left.” It isn’t everything, but it’s enough. “I forgive you because I think I would have done the same. Because I want to forgive you. Because I have made mistakes, too. Because I love you, and I can’t just… stop. I don’t want to waste what time I have left in this world holding onto anger instead of you.”

Joon’s arms tighten briefly. “I do not deserve you, or your heart,” he whispers, then presses a kiss to the side of my neck.

He is wrong. He deserves to be surrounded by love.

My throat tightens as emotions threaten to choke me. “Everyone deserves to be loved—even cursed princes.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

VIOLET

It’sevening when we return. We are fortunate that it’s late enough in the season that the sun is still up.