Page 69 of Wicked Prince of Frost

I do not slow as I enter the Formal Hall, and stride through the corridors with menacing purpose. Servants line both sides of the corridor outside the throne room door, standing in neat rows with their backs to the wall.

“Your Highness, y-you can’t go in—” one of the king’s attendants stammers out.

I reach past him and push the door open. It comes as no surprise to see Ministers Ilseong and Molan there. Their facescontort in a mix of shock and anger—no doubt they are the ones responsible for this.

Violet snaps her gaze toward me. She is unnaturally pale, lips bloodless, and eyes glassy with pain.

“Ah, there you are,Wife,” I say with a casual air. “I have been looking everywhere for you.”

Violet’s eyes widen. “J—” she begins.

I take her wrist and pull her to me, keeping her from addressing me informally.

She is so unsteady on her feet that she collides against my side. Violet’s skin is cool to the touch. My fingertips shift to find her pulse. It is erratic, confirming what I already knew. She is in the early stages of one of her ‘episodes.’

“Did you forget? There is somewhere you are supposed to be.”

A barely perceptible wince pinches her expression. The rise and fall of her chest quickens with sharp, shallow breaths.

Her visible confusion is a bad sign. She doesn’t even have enough wits about her to know that she hasn’t forgotten a demon damned thing.

“I-I believe I did?” Her voice is breathy and weak. I send her a subtle prompt, before she hastily adds, “My Prince.”

I tear my gaze away from the desperation and pleading shining in her eyes and turn my attention to my uncle.

“I hope you do not mind if I steal my bride for a previous commitment, My King?”

He contemplates my request for a moment before speaking—it wouldn’t do to allow anyone to order him around through a thinly veiled demand. Not even the crown prince.

“Your timing is excellent. We had just finished our talk,” he says, then flicks his gaze to Violet, taking in her deteriorating condition that becomes increasingly difficult for her to hideby the second. He lowers his voice. “See to it that you do not overtax her… she does not look well. And we wouldn’t want to have anotherincident.”

The comment is a sharp barb that hits its mark. He believes I am doing this to her, as I have done with my previous wives.

Uncle disapproves of my cruelty to my wives and the people of Arum, whether human or fae.

He may be the only one who has stood by me for the last fourteen years, but that does not mean he has forgiven me for the late king’s death. I took his brother, and last living relative, from him.

I bow low in deference, more than expected of the Crown Prince. We are both aware that he could have easily denied me out of spite if he so wished.

Violet clasps her trembling hands to still them, then bows as well.

We take our leave. I watch her carefully, ready to catch her if necessary. Her uneven breaths are now coming in short, shallow bursts.

By the time we make it to the hall, she can barely hold herself upright. I scowl and grab her arm, dragging her with me as we pass dozens of eyes, scrutinizing my every move. The servants frown and send her sympathetic glances.

At the first alcove offering a semblance of privacy, I press her against the wall for support. I call to my power and send it into her.

My eyes close as I guide the magic through her veins. Once it finds the way to her heart, I watch as the pain melts from Violet’s face. When all signs of her episode are gone, I release her.

Emotions flicker in her honey eyes as Violet lifts her gazeto mine, peering through thick lashes. “Are you angry with me?” she asks softly. “I didn’t know?—”

“You did nothing wrong. I was worried when Iseul told me you were not in your rooms when she came for you.”

I glare through walls as if I could see Ministers Ilseong and Molan.What had they said to my uncle that he would publicly summon her?

“I’m sorry…” she says haltingly. “I am not usually so forgetful.”

I return my attention to Violet. Her look of innocent confusion is too pure to resist.