Page 57 of Wicked Prince of Frost

I am at a loss for words, with no idea where or how to begin.

As if she senses my internal struggle, Violet walks back over, this time skirting the desk and coming to sit beside me. “Joon, it’s all right. You don’t have to tell me if it will endanger you. But if you’re worried about me, then don’t. I knew any bargain I made would be dangerous. The risk is the same whether I know or not.”

I study the set of her jaw and the fiery determination in her eyes, looking for a sliver of deception, and find none.

“If you are sure…”

Violet’s face brightens as if I promised her unlimited wishes with those four words rather than unnecessary danger. “I am.”

“Your Highness,” Imugi hisses at the same time.

Even ifshedoes not come to regret this, I have the distinct impression thatIwill.

“Then, for you to truly understand, there is something you must see.” I pin her with a glare. “There is no going back. You have been warned.”

Iseul is out in the hall with Mingi, looking uncharacteristically flustered. Her voice cuts off as Violet and I emerge.

“The two of you should remain here,” I say. “We will return soon. There is a private matter we must discuss.”

The two siblings exchange a sideways glance.

Violet follows me enthusiastically down the hall and out into the Northern Court.

“The least she could do is stop grinning like an idiot,” Imugi mutters sourly as they settle on my shoulder under the protective cover of the brim of my hat.

Violet’s smile falters, though she pointedly ignores the barb.

“Be nice.” The admonishment slips out before I can stop it.

After the dim light in the Royal Office, the afternoon sun is blinding. The demon hisses and curls tighter to escape the harsh light that weakens them.

I take her to a door in the wall, hidden by a curtain of ivy. We step over the narrow flowerbed along the length of the wall and into the Western Court.

“Are there many hidden doors like this?” she asks in a whisper, even though we are alone.

“A few. Most are ignorant of their existence, and I would prefer to keep it that way.”

Violet walks at my side rather than trailing by a few steps, as is customary. Yet, I find that I do not mind.

Within my personal study, I call forth my power and press my hand to the floor—light flares in the shape of a large square. A section of the wooden slats disappears, revealing a staircase that leads down into the darkness.

Violet witnesses it all in silence. It impresses me how well she holds back the questions I know she is dying to ask.

We descend the narrow stone steps to a cave-like room roughly carved out of the earth far below the palace. Dragon Flame lights flicker, keeping the room alight. The fire burns eternally, without fail, on a single gold coin until quenched. Itis superior to the meager light given off by the patches of moss along the walls.

Imugi remains at the entrance, not passing the last step. They have never liked the feel of this place. Perhaps it is the nearness to the Otherworld that unsettles them. Though all demons originated there, none would wish to return.

A path of flattened and smoothed dirt at the bottom of the stairs leads us toward a shimmering, silver pond.

Violet steps forward, gazing around in wonder. I move to the side to let her pass. She stops at the edge of the perfectly still water. The packed dirt path continues around the edge of the pond, while the way forward is a glass walkway that hovers just over the surface, leading to the mirror in the center.

Violet looks back at me. “What is this place?”

“You don’t have to whisper here,” I say. “No one but Imugi and I—and now you—know that any of this exists.” I leave out the part that everyone else who knew is dead.

Because of me.

She doesn’t ask again, but there are questions written in her eyes.