Page 70 of Wicked Prince of Frost

There is still the matter of that strange, wild demon to discuss. But that can wait until later. There is something else I would like to do first.

“I am taking you into town.” I take her hand, relieved to find her skin is warm again. We stop just before leaving the cover of the central palace, and only then do I release my grip. “It’s not Lummi, but I thought you might like to see what the capital has to offer.”

Violet’s face alights with amazement as I pull back a curtain of ivy to reveal a narrow door in the outer wall of the western corner along the back wall of the Northern Court.

The hidden passage is known only to the royal family and intended as an emergency escape. As a child, I would slip in and out of the palace through here. I remember the excitement of getting away with something, shared laughter, and whispered secrets.

Those days, as with all my memories before that nightfourteen years ago, are muddied by the horror of what happened.

Imugi drapes their long body over my shoulders, silently pouting. They are against the idea of sharing this secret with Violet. The demon’s protests were half-hearted and didn’t last long.

I think they are finally warming up to her in spite of themselves.

Stepping inside, I hold the vines aside. Violet follows without hesitation. The passage is dark, but I wait until the cover is back in place before conjuring a fae light that hovers several inches above my palm.

The stone path is damp from the humid air trapped within. Without room to walk side by side, Violet holds onto my free arm with both hands until we reach a short door.

She sucks in a sharp breath when I extinguish the light. I crack open the door just enough to listen. Imugi rises from their perch and impatiently slips through.

“That is not necess—” I begin, but they are already gone.

Violet presses closer. Close enough that her breasts press against me with every breath.

Imugi returns a moment later. “The way is clear,” they say with a bite to their tone. Then, under their breath, they say, “Though you are a fool to do this.”

CHAPTER TWENTY

JOON

A white marewaits for us just beyond the palace walls. I help Violet into the saddle, then climb up behind her.

A fae path makes quick work of the wild woods behind the palace as we make our way toward the king’s road.

Upon my request this morning, Mingi had procured clothing typical of the capital’s citizens. It is nowhere near as comfortable as my own, which is to be expected of something not tailored to my body.

Violet twists around and puts a hand to the side of her mouth. “Can we talk yet?” she whispers.

“Yes.”

“Good. Because I have questions.” She takes a deep breath. “Do you use that way often? Do Mingi and Iseul know about it? Shouldn’t we have brought them with us? Where?—”

I silence her with the press of my fingertips. “One at a time,” I say. “To answer your first question, no, I do not use it often. At least, not anymore. As for the other questions, aside from myself, only Mingi, Iseul, and now you know. It is notnecessary for them to come along, as their presence would give us away.”

I wanted time alone with you, away from duties and curses.The thought comes unbidden. I had not realized it before, but I know it is true. When I am with her, I can pretend I am someone else, someone without the burden of a crown or countless subjects waiting for me to assume my role. I can be someone she might have wanted if I had not stolen her away from her life.

The familiar sensation of a shadow brushing the edges of consciousness returns, pulling me from my daydream.

A wild demon is near. Where Imugi’s power is strong, this one is faint—not unlike the one from earlier.

Did the small one summon the others that were with them during the attack on the bridge? I quickly dismiss that thought. Imugi would have been able to sense if there were others. Based on the earlier incident, I believe the demon is somehow connected to Violet.

“What will we do in the capital?”

“It’s a surprise,” I say, which earns me a half-hearted pout. “Now, it is my turn to ask you questions.”

Violet tilts her head.

“What dealings with demons have you had?” Out here with no one else to overhear seems like the perfect opportunity to ask.