Page 20 of Wicked Prince of Frost

The facts are straightforward and simple. An ordinary woman who stole from the fae prince—a weak woman who could quite literally die of fright.

No. It’s bad enough that I am cursed—admitting that someone without powers of any kind or malicious intent is responsible for my downfall by mere happenstance would be too embarrassing.

“Do not worry. I have ensured they will not speak a word of it to anyone.”

Water laps against the pavilion’s stone base.

Imugi whips around to hover before me. “And did you get it back?” their whisper is a sharp hiss.

“No.” I hold up a hand before they can interject. “However, it is not entirely without access.”

Mingi’s boot taps against the wood floor with a single step forward. “Then, it wasn’t destroyed beyond use?”

I can practically hear the gears in both of their heads as they attempt to put everything together. I clench my teeth until my jaw aches.

Demons damn that woman to the Otherworld.There is no way to avoid this humiliation.

Whirling around to face my second, I say, “In three days, I will choose a bride from Firnhallow.”

Mingi’s eyes narrow with suspicion.

The demon and Mingi remain silent, waiting for me to elaborate.

I remain still and quiet.

Imugi brings their face so close to mine that I must cross my eyes if I want to focus, which is no doubt the demon’s intention. “What use is a bride withoutit?” they demand.

“Everything must go on as usual,” I deflect, both answeringand not answering their question. “That is all I can say for now.”

There are still a few details they do not know yet, but it will become clear in time.

“I am afraid I don’t quite understand, My Prince,” Mingi says haltingly. “You’ve already…chosena bride?” He shakes his head.

Imugi hovers beside him, staring at me with an identical expression of confusion and disbelief.

“Yes.”

The two exchange a not-so-subtle side glance.

I sigh. Their misgivings are understandable, as my behavior for this Choosing is outside the norm, and I am not in the habit of withholding pertinent information from either of them.

However, I cannot afford for anyone to suspect that anything is amiss this time. The less they know for now, the more natural it will seem.

“My Prince, where exactly is it that you went riding off to the other morning?” Mingi asks slowly. Then, his eyes bulge at the realization. “Was she—? How is that possible? How did—how could she? She would need—” he cuts off.

How a human managed to stumble upon the knowledge to—not only harvest but prepare the tonic properly when such information is only found in the ancient healing texts, all of which have been forbidden to humans for generations—isexactly what I intend to find out.

It was surprisingly easy to make her admit to her crimes. I had been intent on carrying out the punishment up untilthe moment she pleaded for me not to hurt her. Her soft words were not cowardly but held a tangible, desperate longing to live in a way I have not felt outside my own thoughts.

“You will understand before the day is out. Until then, I ask that you trust me.”

Mingi’s features relax. “Of course, My Prince, that was never in question.” Silence fills the space for several moments before he asks, “What is her name, so I will know her when she approaches?”

My lips are parted as I go to answer, only to hesitate before finally saying, “Her name is of no importance.”

Imugi gives an annoyed huff and curls up on the cushioned bench beside me. Mingi arches a brow in a clear indication that there is something more he wishes to say, even as he holds back.

The carriage stops, and the sounds of the festival die to a susurration of waves along a shore.