Frost (Frost and Nectar #1)(27)

“Why?”

She shuddered. “Reality TV staves off the anxiety. There’s a lot of shit to be afraid of in this world. In both worlds, probably, but at least this one is new and distracting.”

I nodded. “Whatever happens here, I’m pretty sure we won’t be bored. There will be plenty to distract you from your own mortality.”

“Perfect.”

Another knock sounded at the door—lighter this time.

“Who is it?” I said, opening the door a crack.

A tiny fae woman stood in the doorway, dressed in a silk bathrobe. Her pale blonde hair hung in loose to her shoulders. When she looked up at me, I saw that her eyes were milky white.

“Are you Ava?” she asked quietly.

“I am,” I answered cautiously.

“Oh, good.” Her face brightened. “I’m Princess Orla.”

She looked far too young to get married. “Are you part of the competition?”

Princess Orla laughed, her voice tinkling in the dark hall. “Oh, no. King Torin is my brother.”

Shalini slipped up next to me. Though the princess was clearly blind, she seemed to sense Shalini’s presence. “Who is this?” she asked, lifting her chin.

“I’m Shalini. Ava’s advisor.”

Orla bowed slightly. “It’s my pleasure to meet you.”

“Is there something you wanted, Princess?” I asked, hoping I didn’t sound rude. “It’s quite late.”

“Oh, sorry,” said Princess Orla. “I have the hardest time knowing the hour. I just noticed that someone was in the Rose Room, and I was curious. But I didn’t realize it was so late. I’d best be off.

Good luck tomorrow,” she said softly.

Before I could reply, she walked down the dark hall and was swallowed by the shadows.

The Rose Room? I looked to Shalini, but she only shrugged. “I didn’t even know he had a sister,”

she said. “They’re very secretive.”

I glanced at the dark windows, and a mantle of weariness enveloped me, making my muscles ache, my eyes heavy. But I dreaded going to bed when sorrow had its icy grip on me.

Shalini headed for the smaller room.

“Oh, no,” I said. “The big bed is all yours. I’ll take the little one.”

Her eyes brightened. “Are you sure?”

“I feel more comfortable in a cozy room.”

Shalini leapt back onto the four-poster and immediately snuggled under the blankets.

I returned to the library room, pulling the door shut behind me. I leaned against it for a moment, trying to collect myself. The week had been such a whirlwind.

My comfortable life had been ripped out from under me. I’d been homeless and rejected. Then, within hours, I was living in a magnificent Faerie palace dressed in silk.

None of this seemed real. The one thing I didn’t quite understand was why I didn’t feel more of a sense of homecoming here. I’d always imagined that if I got back into Faerie, it would feel more familiar.

I peeled off the ball gown and hung it on a hook on the door.

The fire was still burning in a stone fireplace, bathing the room in warmth.

I flicked off the light and crawled into the bed. It was small but surprisingly comfortable, and I pulled the covers up to my neck.

I left the curtains open, however, and moonlight spilled in through the multipaned windows. I sat up, peering through the glass. It felt cold and drafty, and little webs of frost had spread over some of the panes, but the fur blanket warmed my legs. I couldn’t make out the grounds of the castle through the window, only a distant line that might be treetops. Tonight, the moon was full, and stars twinkled in the distance.

As I studied the moon, a shadow flew over it, circling the dark sky. My breath caught at the silhouette of massive wings and a long, sinuous tail. For an instant, the sky was illuminated as a great gout of fire bloomed in the darkness.

I held my breath. Dragons were real.

I lay down, hoping the dark mist of sleep would wrap around me, pulling me under the surface.

And if I couldn’t fall asleep, I had a beautiful view while insomnia kept my heart racing.





12

A VA

I rubbed my eyes, still groggy as I followed Torin through the shadowy halls.

He’d woken me before the sun had risen, bringing me running clothes, leggings, and something like a tunic in muted shades of forest green and brown. The clothing fit perfectly, but I was struggling to wake. I’d only slept about an hour, and I was fighting the urge to curl up in some creepy castle alcove and fall back to sleep.

“When does the race start?” I asked through a yawn.

He shot me an irritated look. “You look half dead. Were you up drinking again last night?”

I opened my mouth to argue and changed my mind. I didn’t want to tell him I’d lain awake crying over Andrew and Ashley. That was far more pathetic than a night of drinking.

“Yes, but I’ll be fine. But is the race really starting this early?”

“Three hours,” said Torin.

I closed my eyes, marshaling patience. “So why are we up here now?”

“Because parts of the race are dangerous, and I’m going to make sure you get through them without dying.”

I blinked. “Dangerous?”