Page 147 of Wicked Prince of Frost

It is over.

I cannot help staring at this small, insignificant-looking thing—whole for the first time in far too long. There is a faint shimmer of a warmer hue than the pure icy color I remember.

Perhaps it is tainted by the blood that has soaked my hands over the years, or a scar left behind by the curse… or maybe it is the mark of Violet’s sacrifice.

I hold it to my chest, closing my eyes as the connection between my pearl and my essence takes root once again. As it was meant to be.

The curse continues to untangle, releasing its hold over the land and the people. The first victim of the Winter Dragon’s ice thaws and begins to wake.

Concentrating on the curse, I mentally sort through the tangled strands. When I find the oldest of them, I pull, willing it to come undone faster. Then I move to the next and the next.

The last hundred fray and snap in rapid succession. I feel it working through the human cities, feel each of my previous wives waking.

My feet barely touch the ground as I race back to the old throne room. I need to be there, ready for when Violet is freed.

Mingi and Iseul wait beside Violet’s frozen form. Theyturn their gaping expressions on me as I sprint toward them. I pass the shadouk, relieved he cannot bring harm to this world any longer.

“I… Your…” Mingi begins and fails to collect his thoughts.

“Both of you, go assist whoever you can as the curse continues to break,” I order in a way to help their scattered thoughts find purchase.

They bow quickly. But Iseul hesitates, lingering behind as Mingi jogs off to obey.

“What will you do with her?” she asks. Her eyes sparkle with unshed tears.

Mingi calls to her from the doorway. Iseul bows again, then hurries to catch up without waiting for an answer.

The gentle trickle of water from the stream comes in from a broken window near the back of the room. I use the sound to calm my thoughts and focus.

My power comes to me with an ease I never thought possible. Stronger than I ever knew before the curse, when I was still coming into my full potential.

It bends to the shape of my lightest command. I had forgotten how it was supposed to feel—an extension of myself rather than attempting to control the flow of a wild river slipping through my fingers. Impossible to hold for long.

I ready myself for the moment the curse unravels around Violet.

The gentle rustle of fabric comes from somewhere nearby. A sigh.

Magic ripples over Violet. The broken spell has finally reached her. I must act the second she is free or risk losing her for good.

My attention snags on a movement out of the corner of my eye. I ignore it at first. But then my head snaps up as it draws near.

The shadouk stalks toward us, slowed by the snapping and crackling of bones and joints. He doubles over in pain as his body transforms.

Demon shit.

I assumed him dead—he should have been with the nature of the blast I struck him with… except his demon blocked part of it.

There are seconds to decide my course of action.

Gently setting Violet on the ground, I rise, ready to cut down this monster with a single blow. I divide my power, taking only enough to stop the threat ahead of me while saving everything else for her.

I position myself between Violet and the demon cursed creature ahead of me. Whether I heal her first or deal with him, I will need to move fast.

The unnatural creature laughs with my uncle’s voice. A horrible, wet, raspy sound. “I see you finally succeeded at something for once in your life, Nephew. It’s inconvenient, but I will make things right once I am rid of you.”

“You killed my family,” I snarl. If I can distract him with words, then I can save my power for Violet instead of warning him to keep his distance.

“One must sacrifice something of great value in order to gain power.” He shrugs. “What could be more poetic than the brother who took everything from me?”