Princess of Frost - Mila Young Page 0,80
explain. "You'll see."
After everything we've all gone through, formality is the last thing anyone wants. Right now, it's a time to bond and feel like we're all part of a community.
Kade marches over to me, his eyes wild and he gives me the serious look which tells me Licia's arrived.
My heart leaps against my rib cage, and I’m on my feet.
"Looks like it's time," I murmur to my father, who offers me a supportive smile. It still feels surreal to have him give me such positive feedback. I grew up with his dictatorship, but now he's a different man, and I won’t squander a moment getting to know him better.
I nervously tug down on my buttoned up coat that falls to my waist and march over to where Kade is clearing away the attendees so there is a perfect path from the doorway to me. I'm in the middle of the room, and nerves are suddenly crawling up my spine.
I rub my hands down my pants from sweat. Shit, I haven't been this anxious even when I faced a herd of hobgoblins, but now waiting for Licia has my heart pounding. She's a firecracker and completely unpredictable, so how this will go leaves me open and vulnerable.
When the door finally opens, my breath catches in my lungs. My gaze locks on hers the instant she steps inside. Her eyes suddenly widen as she looks at everyone.
She hesitates. Even from my location, I see the panic crawling over her face. My little hellcat will fight me at every turn, she'll face the hobgoblin king himself, but when it comes to being the center of attention, she freezes.
She glances up toward me, and I give her a smile and tilt my chin up to indicate she needs to come join me.
As if suddenly forgetting everyone else in the room, she nods and strolls forward, having eyes only for me.
And fuck me, she's gorgeous.
Her snow-white gown encrusted with tiny diamonds follows the curve of her gorgeous legs as she walks deeper into the ballroom, with a shimmering fur scar sitting around her shoulders.
Licia looks stunning in the dress that shows off her curvy waist and hips, and pushes her breasts up. Chestnut hair is combed off her face, draping over her shoulders, her lips glistening a bright red.
She momentarily looks down at herself and back up at me, her lower lip pulled between her teeth.
When she finally reaches my side, she glances up with a cheeky smile. "You better have a damn good reason for embarrassing the hell out of me like this," she whispers.
"Do you ever doubt me?"
"Why did you pick this dress? I can barely twist in it or breathe.” She speaks quickly and takes side looks at the audience staring our way. My little Licia is so nervous as she keeps chewing on her lower lip.
“I think it looks perfect,” I add.
No feeling bad that I selected the tightest dress from the selection given to me, not when I get to watch every curve of her body I crave to trace with my tongue.
The orchestra starts a new song, something with a more upbeat tune, drawing Licia's attention.
I take a deep breath and get down on one bent knee.
When she looks down at me, the shock on her face is the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. Her chin quivers and eyes glisten, while she holds her hands to her chest like she can't quite believe what she's seeing.
This is the right decision. I've thought about it endlessly.
"Eryk," she whispers like she still can't accept what is about to happen.
I glance over to Kade who rushes over with a small square pillow and in the center sits a white-gold ring with a large square diamond, and a line of smaller ones embedded into the band.
"Licia," I say and look up at her.
She gasps on her next breath and tears are trailing down her cheeks.
"We've known each other for a short time, but I knew from the first time we met, you were someone special. Someone who crawled into my heart if I wanted that or not. You blew into my life like a snow storm and are impossible to ignore. During our time together, you've changed me for the better and I made the decision that I can’t be without you." I swallow past my dry throat as this gorgeous girl smiles so brightly as she cries.
"I will," she blurts.
I can't help but laugh at her excitement, a few others