She sat up a little straighter, trying not to sink into the Frost King’s warmth when his thumb began to caress the indent of her waist. What the devil was he doing?
“I’m sure you all have questions,” he said, pulling her a little farther into his lap, her back flush with his chest.
This was a little more than she had bargained for, but Lia kept it together.
“I beg your pardon, my lady, but you’re supposed to be dead,” Chemaine said bluntly.
“I am not.”
“As we can see,” Abeo cut in. “Do you mind telling us where you have been for the last several months?”
A truth and a lie together. Sell it.
“Running for my life. It’s not as easy as they make it sound in storybooks.”
“I think not,” the mint-green giant answered diplomatically. “Surely, you weren’t running from your king and husband? The Loriian people have welcomed you with open arms, so I’m told.”
“Your people have been most hospitable. But as you all know, yourreillovand I did not marry for love. I had not met him before I was taken from my home, and he was less than enthused by the prospect of asaloeswife. We did not start with the same level of trust as most marriages do. Even though there were many beautiful giants I have met along the way, I was attacked at the Seed by the king’s own sister and could have died. I was a foreigner thrust into a culture I was taught to hate my whole life. You can understand how that would have been scary, no?”
Abeo nodded. “I do.
“Ourreillov’smemories have been murky on his attack,” Flyka spoke. “We all assumed you had been taken, but there were witnesses that said you fled on your own. Could you tell us what really happened?”
Sell it, but don’t let it sound rehearsed.
“Your king and I were setting about to procure an heir.” She blushed, and Vidielle smothered her grin with her hand. At least her embarrassment was convincing. “I remember him slapping the side of his neck and then his body ceasing to work properly.”
Accusing eyes.
Ragged gasps.
So many tears.
The tears that heated her eyes and the guilt were real.
“I knew what it was immediately and didn’t know what to do.” Her voice cracked with real feeling. “It was horrible. I didn’t know who had attacked him or what to do... until he told me to run.” Abeo inhaled deeply, scenting for the truth. “So, I did what he asked. I didn’t know who I could trust, if I was next, orif I would be blamed.” She swallowed hard. “I am no stranger to what Loriians do to those who are even suspected of treachery, so I obeyed thereillovand ran.”
The king’s hand stilled on her back. His whole frame stiff. Did he remember telling her to run?
Vidielle leaned forward in her chair. “How did you manage to survive your escape? The weather is cruel tosaloes.”
“I had one friend. She is the reason thereillovstill lives.” Flyka’s expression closed off. This was not what they’d practiced, but Dahlia wouldn’t let another soul believe Loshika was a traitor. “She sent a healer up to thereillovas I fled for my life. I believe he would not have survived without the quick response of thatnonnae.” She shrugged. “I masqueraded as her servant for much of the time. She kept me warm, safe, and fed. I owe her everything, as does Loriia.”
The Frost King blew a slow breath on the crown of her head, like he was trying to keep his emotions under control.
“She’s quite the hero,” Olwen said, his signature half smile lifting his lips.
“More than you will ever know.”
Chemaine leaned her elbows on the table and circled her hand to include the table. “So, you were hiding out because you were afraid someone in the Loriian court wanted the both of you dead?”
“Yes.” Namely Flyka, but they didn’t know that.
“Why did you not go home?” the woman asked.
Lia arched a brow. “I assume you have connections to the Asteran palace, which is why you are here?”
“I do.”
