Page 42 of Wicked Prince of Frost

The prince releases me, and I shuffle to the side, wanting distance from the demon. I’ve heard stories of some bonding successfully with higher demons, who take the shape of an animal familiar. Their physical size decreases, but they gain power through the bond and become greater demons. I never realized all those stories could be true.

“I couldn’t contain it… I used too much power.” Joon turns to me. His face is too pale, and he looks like he will fall over at any moment. “I thought I had more time, but it seems you must fulfill your duty earlier than anticipated.”

Even in a weakened state, he’s still graceful and just as painfully beautiful to look at. It’s almost impossible to look away. In a single step, he devours the space, only leaving a hand’s breadth between us.

My mind empties of all thoughts with his proximity. He wears nothing to dull the warmth coming from the bare skin of his broad chest. The front of my robe falls open, leavingthe thin layer of my nightclothes as the only thing separating us.

He lowers his head until his mouth hovers over mine, but he doesn’t close the distance.

This is dangerous.Heis dangerous. I lose my head when he is close enough to touch. It makes me want things I shouldn’t.

“Violet.” My name on his tongue is like melted sugar.

“Yes?”

“Have you already forgotten?”

Though the question is barely more than a sigh, it’s enough to get my mind working again. I must initiate the kiss. The thought of acting so boldly sends heat rising up my neck.

The prince releases a slow breath and straightens. “It is all right if you are not yet ready.” He lowers back down on the edge of his mattress.

The dim light casts shadows over his features, making him appear gaunt—something in my chest twists. I had thought he looked weakened, but I was wrong—this is so much more than that, and he hid most of it from me.

“I’m sorry,” I say. Because I am. The prince told me he needed that power—power that I stole. I haven’t considered what he must be going through. I thought only of myself and how I felt.

“I said it is all?—”

I lean forward and press my lips to his.

The prince’s body goes rigid with tension for several seconds before he relaxes. Joon’s hands find their way to my hips as he lifts his chin and presses into the kiss, but doesn’t deepen it, letting me keep complete control.

A hum of energy rises slowly from the bottom of my feet, up my legs, my middle, to the tips of my fingers and the top ofmy head. The intensity increases until every inch of my body tingles with it.

A slight tug from within is the only warning I receive before it begins.

The flow of energy—of magic—races forward. It takes me by surprise. My lips part with a gasp, causing his to do the same. Our mouths move against each other’s, fueled by the heady sensation. It’s addicting. Intoxicating.

As the world shifts beneath me, I brace my hands on his shoulders. Joon cups my jaw with both of his, holding me in place as he stands, bringing the length of our bodies flush together.

My pulse quickens. Each beat of my heart comes with a sharp pain. I tighten my grip on him, fingertips digging into the muscles of his shoulders. The magic continues to surge until a whimper escapes against my will.

The prince immediately pulls away, breaking the connection. A shimmer passes over the side of his face. Soft and iridescent, like frost made of moonlight. It’s gone before I can be sure of what I see.

Without the flow of power, I stumble back, clawing at my chest.

I can’t breathe.

Fear and panic overwhelm me. Shadows encroach along the edge of my vision, swallowing up the dim light.

How can I do this? I will die if I let him siphon—but I will also die if I don’t.

He’s speaking, but I don’t understand what he’s saying over the roar of blood in my ears. Joon takes a step closer.

I hold out a hand to keep him at bay.

What have I done? What did I let him do?

Because I was desperate, because I was not satisfied with the time I had, I welcomed death with open arms.