Page 96 of Wicked Prince of Frost

The demons’ formless bodies twist and reshape, moving like shadows, slowly solidifying.

I struggle to my feet and clench my fists at my side, fighting against the first agonizing squeeze in my chest.

Their restraint breaks, and they lunge at will, snarling in delight. Joon lifts his hands. A ball of pale blue light hovers over each palm as the demons bear down.

Anger rises in my chest.What in the Otherworld made me think I could be useful to him? I’m only another thing for him to worry about. A distraction that could get him killed.

Joon moves with speed and agility. The first ball of light hits its mark, throwing the demon back with a furious roar. More follow, while others manage to dodge the light. He fights the demons off, keeping them at bay, sending bursts of light in rapid succession. There’s only so much he can do when he’s forced to stay with me.

“Violet,” Joon calls over his shoulder. “The dagger in my right boot—get it.”

I don’t know why he thinks a dagger, of all things, can help. It would require getting too close to be of any use. Regardless, I do as he orders, dropping into a crouch and yanking it free.

It’s the same dagger he once held to my throat. The blade gleams from within like liquid moonlight. I shove the hilt of it into his palm. The weapon draws the light above his hand into it, and now, it really does shine as his power crackles over the surface in streaks of blue lightning.

“Stay close,” he says. And then he leaps toward the closest demon, flinging a lance of light at them. They dodge, but not fast enough to avoid the dagger that sinks into their massive shoulder. The demon releases an ear-piercing scream as it drops with a heavy thud.

I struggle to keep close, but my heart continues to squeeze as if it’s fighting to beat against some physical force trying to contain it. My panting quickly turns into rasping breaths.

Joon glances at me over his shoulder. It’s only a second,but it’s enough time for a demon to reach out and rake their talons over his forearm.

The dagger clatters to the ground.

With a furious cry, he sends a blinding burst of light into the demon’s face. Two more demons race to attack in tandem now that he’s unarmed. But his back is to one, and he doesn’t see.

I will not be the reason he dies here. I will not sit back helplessly waiting to die.

Ignoring the sharp pain piercing my chest, I dive for the blade, wrapping half-numb fingers around the hilt as I roll. My body protests against the jolt against the frozen earth, but I push on and swing my arm.

The blade cuts across the demon’s belly as it leaps over me. It slices through like a hot knife through butter. An echo of screams fills the world loud enough to make my ears bleed as the beast careens, trying to escape too late and crashes off to the side. The impact rattles the ground, quickly followed by another behind me.

A hand wraps around my upper arm and yanks me to my feet. Joon’s eyes search my face.

My head swims with a wave of dizziness. Motion from the side rises up from behind him. I gasp for breath, unable to form words. I throw my shoulder into him with all my weight, shoving him out of the way and thrusting the dagger at the demon. A single nick of the blade is all it takes to fell them.

I will not let them have him.

I will not die helpless.

I take a step, determined to keep fighting alongside Joon. The world tilts as darkness encroaches on the edges of my vision.

We move together. His light. My dagger. Every time I see Joon, he bears another deep slash, while I remain untouched.

Demon shit.

He takes hit after hit, allowing me to strike.

My vision wavers. I gasp for breath. I keep fighting, refusing to let his sacrifices be in vain. But it’s useless, and my legs finally give out.

No… please no…

Several demons litter the area, but several more are still coming for us. Joon picks up the dagger and reluctantly turns from me to face them.

When had I dropped it?

The flurries quickly turn into a mix of ice and snow, obscuring everything, but not before we both see a dozen more demons bursting through ice in the distance.

“Cabin!” I shout above the wind.