Page 162 of Wicked Prince of Frost

Joon’s gaze darkens a second before his hand snakes out and snatches my wrist. He tugs hard, pitching me forward, but he catches me in his arms and rolls, pinning me with his body.

He dips his head, resting his brow against my shoulder, and sighs. It reminds me of another time. A time when we clung to each other in a temporary world of our own, hidden within a forest. When we allowed ourselves to take what we wanted and gave freely.

Just like that, with such a simple gesture, he has me.

He meets my gaze with a soft, wistful smirk. “I thought it obvious.”

“Tell me anyway,” I say breathlessly.

After a moment, he gets to his feet, pulling me along with him effortlessly.

“I came for you. The second I saw you, I knew I could not live one more day without you.” He rests his forehead against mine. “It is terribly selfish of me.”

“It is,” I agree. My voice is barely audible.

“Would you deny me if I begged to stay by your side for the rest of my life?”

For the briefest moment, my heart soars only to plummet.

“Joon…” I can barely utter his name. I swallow and step back, needing distance to say what I must. “I can’t… I can’t leave—There are people who count on me.” It is a truth that physically pains me to say out loud. “I cannot go back with you.”

He steps forward. “I will not ask you to leave your life here again.”

“Then, would you be content traveling back and forth, only seeing each other on rare occasions?” I shake my head. “I don’t know if I could share you with the world. I don’t want to spend more time missing you than being with you.” Hisface becomes a blur as tears obscure my vision. “I could not ask you to give it up—not after everything you’ve endured. But I couldn’t bear a lifetime of goodbyes.”

“It was no hardship to let go of something I never wanted. After seeing the way my uncle had controlled others, I could not stomach the thought of wielding that kind of power. Arum deserves a ruler whose heart is with them. How can I give that to them when it is with you?”

“Yet, you must,” I whisper.

“You are the dawn that banished my prison of eternal night. My salvation. My heart. I would endure the curse a thousand times over just for a chance to love you.”

“Joon…” I bite down on my bottom lip, willing myself to stay strong as he mercilessly breaks down my defenses.

“It was not a decision I took lightly, nor was it one I would have anyone else make on my behalf. In truth, it is a choice I made long ago.” He cups my cheeks, angling my face up. My tears escape, sliding over his fingers. “It is already done.”

My eyes snap to his, not sure I heard correctly.

“The Winter Dragon is with the guardians of the past among the stars.”

“How can that be?” I shake my head. “I thought it happened only if you…” I trail off, unable to say the final word.

“Yes. It was a death of sorts. It was part of the reason I didn’t return until now.”

“What does that mean for you?”

“It means that I am a fae with lesser magic, I am afraid.” He smiles, then winks. “Well, maybe a bit more even without my pearl, but not as powerful as I once was.”

Silence settles between us. This feels like a dream, but if it is, then I don’t want to wake up—not if it means losing him all over again.

“You once said that you loved me and that you were mine. Is that still true?” Joon’s brows crease as his eyes search mine.

I open my mouth to say,Yes, of course it is, but a spark ignites, and instead, I say, “That depends.”

He frowns. “On?”

A smile forms on my lips. “My family and friends. I don’t know how they would react if I let a man freely claim me.” I feign mild disappointment.

“Freely?” he says, donning his own wicked smile. “I am already yours. I have simply come to collect my wife in reciprocity.”