Princess of Frost - Mila Young Page 0,55
someone strong, I will give him a goddamn warrior!
With that thought, I thrust out a hand, and with the other, I grasp my crescent moon necklace.
Ice. The word sweeps over my thoughts.
With a simmering spike of electricity flaring up my spine, a sharp bullet of power races from my hand and slams into the grapes. The round globes explode from the impact with such ferocity, I duck as pieces fling in every direction.
When I assess the damage, I cringe. "Crap!" Morsels of grapes stick to the walls and curtains like body chunks. I mean, if I can make someone burst apart from hurling shards of ice at them, that's great. But if I can't control my ability, how am I meant to help stop a whole army or not have the magic lash out at those at my side?
I climb to my feet and square my shoulders. "Right. I'm going to need more fruit."
The next few hours are spent demolishing fruit, but I think I'm getting closer. As I stare at the untouched apple sitting on a platter made of ice, I wonder how on earth I managed to do that. But I'll take it as a partial win, since I’m at least no longer blowing things up. When I look up at the rest of the room, I sigh, because Eryk is going to go crazy when he finds I've wrecked his room with fruit. A bubble of hysterical laughter catches in my throat as a chunk of pear slides down the wall before splattering to the rug. The bowl is empty of specimens, and I doubt Eryk will be understanding if I attempt to ice his furniture.
Deciding the room needs a cleaning, I stroll to the door and knock. But when no one responds, I try the handle, and it pushes open. It's not locked, which is strange.
I stick my head out, expecting to find Jed, except he's gone. There's not a guard in sight, nor any maids. Is Jed taking a toilet break, or did something happen and everyone forgot about me? Knowing my luck, I'd find out hobgoblins have gained control and the only person left in the whole kingdom is me. I almost want to cry at the thought that saving everyone comes down to me alone... the person who still can’t freeze an apple.
But if shit hits the ceiling, I’ll unleash whatever power I have and take down as many creatures as I can.
Gingerly, I step out into the corridor and sweep my gaze left and right. It's silent. So I swing left, as that's where Eryk’s meeting room had been, and it's on the way to the kitchens. There is always someone there, and if I find it empty, then I can panic. Until then, I’ll keep it together.
Tucking my hands into the pockets of my coat to protect them from the cold breeze swishing down the hallway, I hurry through the halls. The farther I walk, the louder my heart pounds in my chest.
Doors I pass remain shut, but I move with speed until I reach a circular hallway with a grand chandelier that looks like several swords crossing over with candles balancing on top. The flames flicker back and forth from the cool breeze swishing past me. To my right is a black door that leads into the meeting room. I stick my ear to the door but hear nothing, so I push my hand down on the handle and step inside.
There's no one around, only a long mahogany table surrounded by leather chairs and a throne-like seat, studded with gold around the edges, at the head. I can just picture Eryk sitting in his chair, his ego beaming from him. But there’s no evidence of anything being left behind, so I retreat and make my way hastily to the kitchen on the lower level.
I dart down the stairs, my footsteps echoing against the stone walls. I race past windows adorned with red velvet curtains, golden framed paintings, ornate side tables decorated with elaborate vases and fresh flowers. Everything looks so perfect, but something isn't right. I just feel it in my bones.
I lunge off the last steps and careen around the corner that leads to the kitchen, but I smack right into someone, my forehead slapping into something hard on their chest.
Stumbling backward, I groan and rub my head as I lift my eyes to the huge man before me. For that sliver of a second, I am picturing a