“I have learned that sometimes it is best to simply take what I want instead of playing the kind and considerate suitor.I was patient, resisting my darker, more passionate desires as I waited for you to realize you were mine.Destined to be mine!
“While I was being honorable another male swept in and claimed you and I was left with nothing but regrets and a broken heart.That will not happen again, my love.”Swat!
“Never again.”Swat.“Now I will let you up and you will go to your room and dress for dinner.”
“My room?”she gasped as he placed her firmly on his lap.She tried not to squirm as he wiped the tears from her cheeks.
“Yes.Surely you didn’t think I did all of this for me,” he stated with a sweep of his hand, indicating their luxurious surroundings.“Every piece of furnishing, each work of art, each shade of color was chosen with you in mind.”
“You’ve wasted your money and your time,” she snapped, jumping up.“I’m not staying.”
Instantly she felt the rush of cold.It seemed to encase the entire room and she raced to the balcony.Looking out she only saw their reflections backlit by the fire burning brightly behind the grate.
“Now do you understand?”he asked, taking her chin and tipping it up as his blue eyes stared into hers.
Unfortunately she did.He’d encased the entire castle in ice.Nothing could get through it, and nothing could leave its frozen halls.
“Show me to my room,” she sighed, her shoulders drooping.“I’m hungry.”
CHAPTER4
Jackson nodded curtly, guiding her through the shimmering icy corridors of his castle.Despite the grandeur of the crystal walls and the delicate frost patterns that adorned every surface, a chill settled in Crystalia’s bones.The once-familiar halls now felt like a prison, trapping her within its cold walls with a man whose intentions were veiled in icy mystery.
As they reached the guest chambers, Jackson pushed open the ornate door, revealing a room that mirrored the cold elegance of the rest of the castle.A four-poster bed draped in shimmering blue silk stood in the center, with a crackling fireplace casting dancing shadows on the walls.
“You’ll find everything you need here,” Jackson stated, his voice cool and distant.“It won’t make you happier to learn I’ve been planning this for a long time.There are clothes and toiletries that should suit you well enough.Ring if there is anything you desire and someone will attend you.”
“Wow, you’re taking this Winter King and his Lady stuff really seriously, aren’t you?”
“Because it’s true.I’ve been the King of this monarchy for centuries.At one time I believed you would be my queen, but those days are long gone.Still, while you are here you will defer to me and show me the respect I deserve, particularly in front of the servants,” he informed her coolly.
“Or?”
Jackson smiled, it was not pleasant.
“If you don’t, I’ll have to assume you enjoyed being taken over my knee like a naughty little elf and spanked.”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” she snorted in a most unladylike manner.“How long are you planning on keeping me here?”
“Until it no longer pleases me,” he replied coolly.
Crystalia closed her eyes and sighed.Damn, this could get bad, very bad.Jackson was apparently very skilled at holding a grudge.Things could be very uncomfortable if he was determined to extract every bit of revenge.
Then as though coming to a decision she walked up to him and placed her hand on his chest, feeling his heart speed up.“There are plenty of things you could do to me, Jackson, trapped as I am within these arctic walls.Surely some would be more pleasing to me.”
“Ah,” he replied with a laugh.“And so it begins.I was wondering how long it would take you to try to use your beauty and charm to manipulate me into changing my mind.I didn’t think you had the ability to surprise me any longer, but it seems I was mistaken.”Taking her hand in his, he kissed her palm.“This should be interesting.I’ll see you downstairs shortly.Do you remember where the dining room is?”
“I’m sure I can find it.”
“See that you do.I don’t want to hear of you wandering around on your own.”
“So, I am truly your prisoner?”she sassed, barely able to stop herself from stomping her foot.
“Not at all.You are an honored guest, but one I’ve learned I have to keep my eye on.You have forty-five minutes before I come and get you.I won’t like having to fetch you, nor will you if it comes to that.”
Then he was gone, closing the heavy door behind him.Crystalia stood in the dimly lit room, her heart pounding.She could still feel the lingering intensity of Jackson's presence, his words hanging in the air like a challenge.Slowly, she moved towards the large window overlooking the snow-covered landscape, her breath misting the glass.
Outside, the winter wind howled, sending swirls of snow dancing in the air.A chill washed over her, both from the cold seeping through the window and the unsettling feeling of being drawn into Jackson's web once again.
