me to not to let Licia get away… she’s not high-born with royal etiquette like all the princesses he’s sent my way. It almost sounds like he’s telling me to follow my heart, except, I’ve never been able to truly experience the feelings he suggested. The thing in my chest is cold…
Then Licia comes to mind, and everything blurs. The pressure against my chest makes no sense, and neither does the constant need to be by her side. When it comes to Licia, what I feel is obsessive, dominating, and it leaves me questioning my own purpose.
My head fills with images of her curled in my arms, naked and comforted. She’s fought me from the beginning, but she still let me claim her, and she makes me feel things I don’t understand. This incredibly stunning woman has me intoxicated.
But right now I need to get her out of my head and focus on how the fuck the killer is bringing females into the kingdom without detection. Or have I been mistaken this whole time and there's more than one man responsible?
I march across the grounds toward the back gates where one guard stands on duty.
He stiffens upon my approach and lowers his head in respect. "Your Highness."
“Did anyone use this doorway yesterday?”
He shakes his head. “From my understanding with the other guards manning this entry, the last people to have accessed this doorway are yourself and the lady the other night.”
I nod. “Alright. From this point on, this gate will be locked. No one is allowed to enter or exit this way. Speak with the master of guards about placing you on duty in the village.”
“Of course, Your Highness.”
“You can go now,” I order, and he leaves me alone.
I step closer to the wrought iron gates and place my hands on the frame. Power simmers under my skin, and my fingertips tingle with electricity. From my hand spawns dried vines, razor-sharp thorns with venomous tips growing before my eyes. The plants spread outward like wriggling snakes, consuming and covering the gate and walls on either side. All trees have been cut back so no one can jump over the fence, but if we’re dealing with another cursed, I don’t know what it will take to stop them. My power is capable of more than making poisonous plants... I can wield the energy into trees and roots, but I have to cast my power onto each plant in order to turn it toxic.
I wonder if my magic can be coupled with Licia's… What if she could carry my venom on a blizzard? We could fight the battle from a distance. Maybe we could build an impenetrable wall of venom and ice to protect the kingdom from outside threats.
I groan and lower my hands, the connection snapping, and I head to the castle, needing to find out exactly what Licia is capable of. That's when I spy the new vines that have curled over the wall like wild barbed wire, spreading halfway around the castle. The thorny vine resembles a porcupine, its branches sticking out several feet from the wall. Fuck. This is what happens when I don't concentrate.
Licia
The sun glimmers brilliantly through the floor-to-ceiling arched windows. I spin on the spot in the middle of the most glorious ballroom I've ever seen. To be fair, it's the only one I've ever stepped foot into, but I've read about them in books. Magnificent spaces where grand dances take place with royalty dressed in glittery gowns, where food is served on silver platters while an orchestra plays music. How many ball celebrations has Eryk attended? Did his father hold one for each princess that attempted to woo him?
I tilt my head back to the oversized chandelier in the shape of a ball, encased with candles that sit within metal cradles. I have no idea how they are even lit.
Footfalls clap on the wooden flooring behind me, and I whirl around to find Eryk sauntering into the ballroom. He's dressed in tight black pants, boots, and a deep blue tunic with golden embroidery around his neckline and down the front. It hangs loosely around his hips but hugs his broad chest and biceps, accentuating how strong and large he is. His dark hair is pushed off his face and is dusted with snow.
Behind him enter two guards carrying a massive bowl filled with red apples. They place it down several feet away and head outside, drawing the door closed behind them.
“Are you intending to