Page 41 of Wicked Prince of Frost

“What do you think you are doing?” she hisses at him as she takes his place, crouching before me.

“Demon shit, Iseul—” Mingi starts.

“I will bring her. Now, get out before anyone finds you in here.”

“Make it quick.” It’s a command rather than a retort.

She turns her attention back to me. “Are you all right, My Lady? What are you doing on the floor?”

It's still night. The only light in the room comes from a lantern set down in the middle of the floor.

“I… the dragon… it looked at me.” Saying it out loud like that makes me feel like a child again. “I’ve never seen it so close before.”

Iseul pats my knee. “That would frighten anyone, My Lady.”

“Violet,” I say. “Call me Violet.”

“Violet, then.” She smiles and helps me stand, making sure I’m steady before letting my arm go to grab a long robe and wrap it around my shoulders. “Prince Joon has summoned you, but there’s no time to dress.”

I nod and let her lead me through the halls, wondering what possible reason he could have for summoning me in the middle of the night, especially after he made it clear that he wouldn’t force himself on me.

Mingi waits outside Prince Joon’s door for us. He holds up a hand, blocking Iseul.

“Just her.” He gestures at me with his chin.

She scowls. “I am her handmaid, and I’m not letting her out of my sight.”

She looks ready to tackle him to the ground.

“Prince’s orders,” Mingi says flatly.

Iseul purses her lips, then turns to me with large doe eyes. “I’m sorry, I can’t go against him.”

Her protectiveness surprises me. I’m touched. I take her hand and squeeze, wanting to reassure her as she did for me. “It will be all right.”

Mingi slides the door open just enough for me to pass, then snaps it shut, barely missing the hem of my robe.

The room is dim, with only a single candle on the table. I move further inside and peer into the open doorway to the bedroom.

A bare-chested Joon sits on the edge of his bed with his elbows braced on his knees and cradling his head in his hands. His crown rests on the bedside table. Even without it, his very essence makes it impossible to see him as less than extraordinary.

I walk over and stop in front of him.

Out of the corner of my eye, something white catches my attention. I turn to see a dragon, identical to the one from thestorm, pass through the wall. Even though it’s much smaller now, it must be the same.

Before I can scream, Joon is on his feet, pinning my back to his chest and covering my mouth with his palm. “My head is already splitting, so I would appreciate it if you refrained from making my ears bleed.”

I jut an accusing finger at the tiny dragon, who winds their body in a tight spiral in mid-air and snarls at me in response.

“This is Imugi. They may look like the Winter Dragon, but I assure you, this is as big as they get.”

I stiffen.A demon?Then I remember the flash I thought I saw in the prince’s eyes, but dismissed at the time.

So, he is demon bonded, after all.

The prince sighs. “They will not harm you.”

Imugi flicks their tail at me before landing on the bed. The demon releases several puffs of frost from their nostrils.