Page 44 of The Ice Prince's Fated Mate
“Come,” Caz said, gesturing at the guards stationed around the room, descending the steps of the dais with smooth, purposeful steps. “The Ice Kingdom is under attack. Let us defend her.”
I was a step behind Caz.
We passed Mirko, who was busy frowning, in fear or confusion I wasn’t sure, and in the moment, didn’t care.
The Reds had struck at our people, and now they were going to pay.
Twenty-Two
Ella
“To the library!”Anna cried, leaping off my bed. “Whoa.”
I grabbed her arm as she swayed, her eyes going glassy for a moment. “Hey, you okay?”
“Yeah.” There was less exuberance. “That was weird. Just stood up too fast, I think. I feel fine now. Thanks.”
“Can’t have the all-important Ice Tyrantess fainting in my room,” I said. “Wait for the hallway. Then I won’t get in trouble from Caz.”
Anna stuck her tongue out at me and made a noise. “I’m not that important.”
Milly, moving with much more controlled purpose, shook her head. “Did or did not Caz leave you in charge of the entire kingdom while he and the others went off to fight?”
I clenched my teeth against the knots in my stomach. Dirk was among those “others.” An attack this major, and it sounded big, would require an equal response from the Ice Kingdom. Otherwise, the Reds would think they had free rein of us.
That didn’t mean I had to like it. Dirk and I had just agreed to try to figure out a way forward, and now he was off throwing himself into the face of danger while I was left behind.
If you would stop hiding and come out, we could have joined them. We could be fighting too. Making a difference.
My dragon ignored the comment like she ignored everything.
“It’s not as important as it sounds,” Anna said, waving off Milly’s comment about her being in charge. “I’m not actually able todoanything. It’s just an honorary thing.”
“It didn’t sound like it,” I said as Anna pulled open the door. “It sounded like—”
“What’s this?”
I stared at the object taped to my doorway.
“Is that a flower?” Milly asked, her voice rising in pitch with her excitement. “Could it be from Dirk?”
“Dirk’s not here,” I pointed out, going for the door.
Anna beat me to it, pulling the long-stemmed flower down and handing it to me. “There’s a love letter attached,” she whispered loudly.
“I see that.” I was still admiring the flower and it’s beautiful pinkish-purple petals.
“Well, what does it say?”
“It says ‘Private, for Ella’s eyes only. Do not share with anyone. Including nosy friends like Anna and Milly,’” I joked, earning me a pair of eyerolls.
I turned the card over.
The orbstar spreading its petals marks the coming of a new day. Much like my thoughts of you when I awake. —Dirk
Butterflies danced in my belly as I read the letter again. And again. It was short and directly to the point. It was just like Dirk.
Anna snatched the card from my hand and read it aloud.
