Princess of Frost - Mila Young Page 0,17

prince. I hate him, loathe him. I don't belong to him, and yet he closes me in here so I can be his slave? If he wasn't immune to poison, I'd put venom into his food. Now I’m stuck inside this room, alone because he wanted it. I don't care how gorgeous and sexy he is, he's an asshole like everyone else in this kingdom. He's an arrogant prick.

I suck in a deep breath and pull back my shoulders, turning to find an enormous arched window across one wall. I run across the stone floor and tug at the window, only to find it’s nailed shut. No balcony here either. I whip around and press my back to the wall, then I slide down to my ass and hug my knees.

A ripple of fear burrows through my gut, except I can’t let those emotions consume me. To survive you must be strong and clever. Meg’s words sail over my mind, but I feel trapped and scared.

I think about Rin and Cedar and how they’ll panic when I don't come home tonight. How long will the prince hold me here? The gold coins I earn from my kitchen job keep us fed and housed... Does this mean I will no longer be paid and I’ll lose my position?

Panic swirls in my chest so tight, I struggle to draw in a raspy breath that shudders all the way down to my lungs. I wipe at my tears. For years, I've always been careful. Meg told me to never tell a soul about my ability. That everyone will use me, but now it seems I have no choice whether I want to share my secret or not.

When it comes to my power, it's my word against his. I have the upper hand. He demands something I have, and in exchange, I can demand a few things to help my housemates, to ensure I get paid during this time and don't lose my job. Have my gold coins sent directly to Rin and Cedar so they can afford rent and food.

Sighing heavily, I get to my feet and decide that no matter what happens, I will escape. And once I make sure my friends are looked after, I'll leave this kingdom for good and go to another.

I study the room. A double bed is against one wall with an oversized headboard carved with intricate floral patterns and painted in white. Above the bed is a portrait of Prince Eryk, sitting on a throne, legs spread, arms on the seat and wearing a gold crown. Prick! I seethe at his image. He looks down at me with that arrogant expression. I rush across the room and leap up on the bed, reaching for the painting I intend to toss into the fireplace, when the lock to my door clicks.

I spin and drop to my knees in the bed, my heart in my throat.

A guard opens the door, and Veren enters, pushing a trolley filled with plates of food.

Her eyes are huge and crammed with fright as she looks at me.

I scramble off the bed to go to her when the guard clears his throat and steps forward to stop me. Pausing at the end of the bed, Veren starts to place several dishes, metal cups, and a jug on the table before turning my way.

"Are you alright?" she whispers.

"I don't know," I admit truthfully.

"No talking. You're done, out," the guard barks at Veren, who drives the trolley out of the room. The door shuts before she gets a chance to look back at me.

Walking over to the table, I find pancakes with honey, porridge sprinkled with cooked berries, and fried eggs on toast. There must be a mistake, as this can't be for me. Regardless, I quickly take a pancake, relishing and eating it in three bites. I don't remember the last time I tasted something so sweet and fluffy.

A knock comes at the door, and I flinch, swallowing the last morsel.

Two guards carrying a wooden bathtub appear and place it in front of the crackling fireplace. More men enter, bringing buckets of steaming hot water to fill the bath. They come over and over like a marching band.

"The prince demands you are clean and your stomach full before he comes to speak with you," the guard explains.

“I’m not having a bath.” I’m not here to relax as I need to find a way to escape.

“You either get into the tub, or I’ll come in