Page 130 of Wicked Prince of Frost

He doesn’t hesitate to trust my ability to do so.

I smile. We will see each other again soon, right after this is over.

And then, just as he said, I will tell him everything. A gut feeling tells me what I found is important. I’m not sure exactly how, but perhaps he will.

He inhales as if he is fighting the urge to kiss me again, but refrains. There is no time for prolonged goodbyes.

Joone turns to Mingi, once again, transforming into the prince he is. “Fill me in,” he says as they race toward the gate that will take them to the Southern Court.

“Minister Yeona was found murdered moments before the first barrier fell.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

VIOLET

I hurrydown the path toward the gate to the Central Court with Bear at my side. I can’t quite run. The muscles in my legs are tired—weaker than I’m used to. It would be easy to play it off as a side effect of the drink or from sitting for so long, but I can no longer ignore the way it has gradually crept up over the past several months.

Will Joon and I break the curse before I die? Or will this traitorous heart give out on me first?

No,I admonish inwardly. I cannot allow myself to think like that.I can’t give up now.We have to break it. For my family, for Arum…for him.

The gate to the Western Court is partially open when I reach it. Bear squeezes through first then motions for me to follow. As I step in the direction of the Temple Tower, the demon pulls on my skirt. Trusting their judgment, I allow them to tug me along the path behind it that runs parallel.

We enter one of the enclosed walkways. The route is darker and longer, but as long as the shield remains, it’s safer.

Outside, the guards’ shouts clash against the howls fromthe wild demons they battle. I can’t fight my unease as the eerie din echoes in the otherwise abandoned passage.

Bear dashes behind a nearby corner to hide as the strong and steady gait of heavy footsteps approaches. I slow, waiting to see who it is.

King Sameun enters the junction at the far end, where another hall runs perpendicular. He spots me and changes direction. He is nearly as relieved as I am to see a familiar face.

“Your Majesty, what are you doing here? You should be in the Temple Tower,” I say.

“I came looking for you when everyone from the Northern court made it to the tower except you.”

He is alone.

“Where are your guards?”

He smiles, but it doesn’t quite reach his eyes in such a somber moment. “I am more than capable of taking care of myself. My people are more in need of their protection.”

Belatedly, I realize Bear isn’t hiding under the cover of my skirt as usual. I hope they will be safe wherever they hide. They might be small, but they are still a demon.

A loud crash in the distance shakes the ground.

“Come, we must hurry.” The king reaches out and hooks our arms, leading me the way he came. “Joon asked me to find you.”

Even though he isn’t looking at me while he speaks, I nod in response. When my mind finally catches up, I realize we’ve taken the long corridor along the northern wall of the Central Court and have passed the Temple Tower.

“Where are we going?”

The king sends a quick glance over his shoulder. “To the Eastern Court. It will be safer for us there.”

I open my mouth to protest, but he knows what I’m thinking before I can get the breath to speak it.

“There is not enough room for everyone. It was meant as a safeguard for the royal family and the officials.”

We make the rest of our trek in silence, the king holding onto me the entire way. At every crash and breaking of wood or stone, he pauses to listen.