Page 165 of Wicked Prince of Frost

There are nods of agreement around the room.

“So, I’m sure I’m not the only one curious when I ask what it is that you do,” Sebastian continues awkwardly. “For work, I mean.”

“I would hardly call it work, but—” There is a wicked glint in Joon’s eye, and I can tell that whatever is about to come out of his mouth next will have an all too obvious double meaning that no one will miss.

“He hasn’t figured that out yet,” I blurt before he can finish. “He only arrived in town a few days ago.”

Joon gives me a wink before addressing the room. “I wasthinking I might become an apothecary. I enjoy gardening, and with my connections back at the capital, I will have access to rare seeds that would be useful to Violet’s work.”

“That’s wonderful!” Mother beams.

With introductions made and the most pressing questions out of the way for now, Joon and I take a seat. Several lighthearted discussions spring up around the room, each of us moving from one to the other with comfortable ease.

It warms me to see my family welcome him with open arms. I appreciate the way he walked into this unfamiliar situation, willing to adapt for my sake.

When the head cook announces dinner is ready, Mother herds everyone toward the kitchen. She slips her arm through Joon’s, dragging him along while peppering him with questions.

Talya holds me back, waiting to speak until we are alone.

“He must truly love you to give up his crown,” Talya says.

My heart skips a beat. “He’s not…” I trail off.

Talya cocks her head and fists her hands on her hips, daring me to continue the lie. When I don’t, she says, “It’s a little obvious.” She tilts her head toward the window, where Imugi and Bear play fight in the yard. “Why else would a bonded demon be here?”

I send a sharp glare at Imugi. They were supposed to stay out of sight.

“Honestly, Violet, I’m a little hurt you never confided in me.”

I flinch, knowing I would feel the same in her place. “I’m sorry. We thought it best to let that part of him go. It might be common knowledge that he defeated the Traitor King, but there are many who still think of him as cruel.”

Talya heaves an overly dramatic sigh. “Fine,” she drags thesound out. “I suppose I can understand that. You both have my word that I’ll take this secret to my grave.”

I throw my arms around her. “Thank you.”

“We’ll talk about why you haven’t told me about that demon posing as a dog later,” she whispers.

I pull back, knowing that it’s pointless to lie, but at the same time, there are only so many people willing to tolerate a while demon when most would gladly rip a human to shreds.

“Oh, come on. Did you think I wouldn’t notice a dog changing from male one day to female the next? Besides, when have you ever seen a dog jump from a second-story window like it was nothing or climb up the side of a house?”

“You noticed that?” I laugh nervously. I’ll need to have a chat with Bear about being more careful later.

“Violet,” she says my name with the exasperation of a mother dealing with a toddler. “You know I love you like a sister, but there are times I wonder about your sanity.”

“Hey!” I pout playfully.

“At least I can rest easy knowing you’ll have Joon to keep you from getting into too much trouble on your own.AndI fully expect to hear the full story from you—that Choosing business is looking more and more suspicious by the second.”

I laugh. “Deal.”

“Bargain with me,” Joon says with a desperation that matches mine when I’d once said that to him.

I rise from crouching over a small bunch of wild herbs and turn to the fae behind me. He’s far closer than he was a moment ago.

“Bargain? For what? Why?” I ask with a light laugh.

“Your hand. Your heart.”