Page 45 of Wicked Prince of Frost

“I mean,no. It’s too dangerous. What if something happened to you?” I shake my head.

Violet narrows her eyes. “That’s it then? What you say goes?”

“Yes. Iamthe Crown Prince.”

“You promised a discussion, except your mind was already made up.”

“No. There—discussion had, as promised.”

Violet continues, speaking over me. “You get to come and go as you please, keeping secrets, and I’m supposed to stay here, locked up like some damsel in distress waiting for you to return so you can use me?”

By the time she finishes, her breaths come quick and shallow as she tries, and fails, to keep her bottom lip from trembling.

Demons take me, this woman will be the death of me, even if I break the curse.

I pinch the bridge of my nose. “Fine. You can come with me.”

“Not just once—every time.”

I drop my hand. “Whenever possible.”

“How will I know the difference? You could just say it’s not possible when it is.”

“Violet.” Her name is a warning.

“Joon,” she half growls right back.

I hold back a groan. “You’re not going to let this go, are you?”

“No.”

“Very well. Every time, but only if you promise to take my warnings into consideration.”

“Deal.” A slow smile spreads across her lips as she bats herlong, dark lashes in faux innocence. “That wasn’t so hard, was it?”

Demons… this woman is determined to test my limits in every way.

“I really can’t have my own horse? I know how to ride,” she complains.

I climb into the saddle behind her. “You are more than welcome to stay here if you are unwilling to make concessions of your own.”

She sighs.

“If you insist on leaving the safety of the palace, then I plan on keeping you as close to me as physically possible.”

We haven’t made it more than a few yards away from the stable before Violet twists to face me. “Won’t people find it suspicious—” she lowers her voice to a whisper, even though no one is close enough to overhear, “—if you don’t have your entourage?”

Perhaps it would have been easier to risk Iseul’s wrath.

“Time is short, and it is vital that I come and go unnoticed. The fewer who know about my absences, the better. My people may not be fond of me, but a prince who disappears for long periods of time will raise more suspicion and discord than there already is.” I say through gritted teeth. “Rest assured, no one will notice a thing.”

“Because?” she draws the word out.

“I will use a glamour to disguise us.”

Violet scrunches her nose. “Do you think that’s the best use of?—”

“Why must you question me about everything?” I snapimpatiently. I feel a headache forming. “It might be easier to glamour you into thinking you loved me to avoid such insolence.”