Page 23 of Wicked Prince of Frost

“My Lady,” Mingi says, stepping in to block her view while gesturing for her to get in.

She nods and climbs in, sitting across from me. Then we are alone, enclosed in the small space, facing each other. She glances toward her friends as if she could see them through the side of the carriage.

“Do not worry,” I say flatly. “You will have your chance to say your goodbyes to anyone you wish. Give us their names and?—”

“No. That won’t be necessary,” Violet cuts me off sharply as she pulls an envelope from her pocket. “Would it be possible to give them this?”

I glance from the letter to her face, searching for signs of deception, but finding none, I nod.

Strained silence settles in the space between us. I study her, observing every movement and expression as if I will find her true motivations hidden among them.

When Mingi opens the door to join us, I stop him and hold out the letter. “Will you please see that this is delivered?”

He bows his head and departs, returning a moment later to settle on the bench seat beside the prince.

The carriage jerks into movement as we begin the journey.

CHAPTER SEVEN

VIOLET

The prince crosseshis arms and leans back. His eyes bore into me. The night forged silver circlet he wears glints in the low light.

He is certainly in a foul mood. Though I can hardly guess the reason, I’m careful to keep my expression neutral. It’s all I can think of to avoid making it worse.

The man at his side watches me with a sort of bored curiosity. It’s unnerving to have the attention of others on me with such a singular focus.

I do my best to ignore it and lift the curtain to peer outside. We pass familiar buildings and landmarks of the home I thought I would live and die in.

My heart sinks as realization crashes into me. I made a mistake. The prince promised to let me live. He never promised a cure—he doesn’t even know about my condition. He won’t kill me or sacrifice me, but can he fix my heart?

I doubt it. I have exhausted every possibility, every source. There is no human way to heal me, so what are the chances the fae possess the solution I need?

Will I live long enough to see my parents freed from their enchanted prison? And my friends…

Will I live to see any of the people I know and love again?

Are Talya and Sebastian upset about how I left?Saying goodbye to them in person would have been too hard. They would have demanded answers I couldn’t give. We would have clung to each other, my fear getting the better of me, and Talya would have defied the prince outright to keep me from going to my death.

No.I cannot think this way. He swore to keep me alive.

I sigh and relax in my seat, staring down at my clasped hands. When the ground changes from cobblestone to smoothed, packed dirt, I know we have left the walls of the city,

If this strained atmosphere is going to continue, then I hope the journey will be quick.

About an hour in, the man on the prince’s right clears his throat. He waits until I look up before addressing me. “My Lady?”

He is beautiful, in the same way all fae are, with their sharp features and long limbs. He wears formal robes that are an echo of the prince’s, in the same blues and silver, though not nearly as ornate.

“You can address me by my name,” I say. Being given the title of Lady feels like a mockery. I am not truly the chosen bride.

He looks uncertain, flicking his eyes toward the prince, who is currently feigning as if he’s not paying attention.

Pinning the prince with a knowing glower, I say. “You don’t know my name, do you?”

“Of course I do,” he bites out, then turns his face away.

I roll my eyes, knowing I caught him in a lie. I don’t knowhis either because neither of us bothered to introduce ourselves at any point in our previous meetings.