Chapter One
Dahlia
Dahlia’s pulseraced as the Frost King’s pitch gaze followed her, his mouth slack.
Hate burned there.
She stifled a sob and yanked her slingshot and blade from beneath the mattress. Quickly, she shoved it in the pocket of her dress. Lia gazed around the lavish darkened room with tear-filled eyes. Nothing here belonged to her. She’d already taken every simple piece of jewelry and had hocked it, the coins hidden in the laundry room.
Glancing at the closet, she shook her head to dispel the panic threatening to fog her mind. The fancy dresses and expensive jewels from Astera would leave a trail. She couldn’t afford to take them.
The Frost King gasped out a breath, and Dahlia squeezed her eyes closed, salty tears tracking down her cheeks.
You cannot leave him.
Lia rushed to the ceramic pitcher next to the headboard and poured a glass of water, sloshing droplets off the sides as herhands shook. She was not sure what was in the poison ring, but maybe some water would help flush some of it out?
As if that could erase what you’ve done.
Dahlia moved back to the foot of the bed and slipped her hand beneath her husband’s strong neck and lifted his head, holding the trembling glass to his deep blue lips.
“Drink,” she rasped.
Neve glared up at her, his fingers twitching at his side.
“Lo bietelle.” She poured some water between his parted lips, but it trickled from the corner of his mouth, and out onto the bedding. He’d refused to swallow. “I know you do not trust me, but there was no other way. You need to drink.” Her voice broke, and more tears dripped down her cheeks when he continued to glare at her, his pulse thrumming swiftly against her fingers.
Time was slipping away. It was only a matter of time before someone went looking for the king.
She needed to be long gone before that happened.
Lia set the cup on the trunk at the end of the bed and then wrapped the covers over Neve’s body as he began to shake. “Goodbye,Reillov,” she whispered, pressing a kiss to his heated cheek.
Dahlia stepped away and turned her back to the giant who’d wormed his way into her heart. She gasped for breath and bent over, pressing her hands to her belly. Bile burned the back of her throat, and she dry-heaved.
Murderer.
Tears and snot mingled on her face as she dry-heaved again.
Killer.
She squeezed her eyes closed and tried to catch her breath as panic threatened to swallow her whole. She couldn’t let fear cripple her. Lives were at stake. Lia straightened through sheer will. She moved to the bed and used the edge of the covers to wipe her face clean. She ran her shaking fingers throughher tangled locks. She pinched her cheeks and schooled her expression.
Time to perform.
“I do not deserve your forgiveness, but I am sorry for everything all the same. Please forgive me.”
She turned her back on him and strode to the door. Lia hesitated with her fingers on the doorknob.
Go. It’s now or never.
Lia spared the Frost King one last painful glance, his dark gaze searing her. “I’m so sorry,” she mouthed. She slipped out, closing the door behind her, smiling sheepishly at the guards stationed outside.
“Afternoon, gentlemen,” she said, hoping her pinched cheeks passed as a blush.
“Reilleve,” they murmured almost in unison, their knowing gazes running over her.
She knew what they saw. A rumpled female who looked well loved. Their drawn conclusions and her penchant for sneaking out would serve her well today.
