Page 83 of Wicked Prince of Frost

Violet is still soundasleep when I wake at dawn. Her hair is loose and wild around her.

I slip my arm out from under her head, then. The demon, who has attached themselves to her, opens one eye, peering at me as I tread with silent footsteps toward the door.

“It would be best if no one else knew about you,” I whisper as I pass.

Violet might be my wife through our bargain, but as far as anyone else is concerned, she is merely another I will eventually turn to ice, as all those who came before her. A pawn to use against the people of this kingdom—to remind them of my power.

Should my enemies assume she is anything more, they won’t hesitate to use her as a weapon.

Iseul stands in the middle of the hall, watching me slip from Violet’s room like a thief.

Were she anyone else, I wouldn’t hesitate to threaten them into silence. She and Mingi have been like siblings as well asclose friends since we were all children. One of the few things I have a clear recollection of.

Iseul stalks forward, her dark eyes silently demanding answers I have no obligation to give.

“You can forget whatever lurid thoughts are in your head.”

“That makes you sound guilty when I haven’t even said anything yet, Your Highness,” Iseul says with an arched brow as she reaches me.

“She came down with a fever last night,” I say anyway, offering a partial truth. “I was already with her when it started, so I did not see the need to send for you.”

I leave out the part regarding the demon attack. It would only make Iseul feel guilty when there was nothing she could have done.

“Is she…?” Iseul trails off, looking past me as if she could see Violet through the door.

“Violet is well. Let her sleep a bit longer.”

Iseul scrunches up one side of her face.

“Why are you giving me that look?”

She snorts. “No reason. It’s unexpected, that’s all.”

“What is?” I ask flatly.

Iseul lowers her voice to a mock whisper. “Does my brother know our Crown Prince has been playing nursemaid to her all night—in her bedroom?Alone?” she draws the last word out, making her implication clear.

I briefly debate telling her about Violet’s new pet, sleeping in her room like a loyal dog, but I think I will let her be surprised.

“Who would have thought that our little Joon would grow up to be so sof?—”

“Finish that sentence, and you might not like the consequences,” I warn, though we both know the threat is empty.

I move past her, then stop when a thought pushes itself to the forefront of my mind.

Looking back, I ask, “Did you deliver a note to Violet yesterday evening?”

Iseul frowns. “No, Your Highness.”

It is as expected. I’ve never wanted to be wrong before in my life. I needed to confirm on the off chance I am being paranoid.

Head bowed and one hand resting on the pommel of his sword, Mingi raises a fist to knock on the door to my apartments.

“Your Highness?” he calls, a note of uncertainty in his voice.

“You may go in.”

He spins on his heel, then strides over to walk with me the remainder of the way. “Your Highness,” he says again.