The Frost Touched Queen (The Winter Queen Duet Book 1) by Ivy Fox

Author:Ivy Fox [Fox , Ivy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: X-Factory
Published: 2023-03-23T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter 25

Katrina

Seated at the head of the great hall in Arkøya’s castle, I pick up my drink and sip on the wine, hoping its alcohol will cool my nerves. Levi sits next to me, talking to one of his high lords that approached our table. He was one of the very few people who were brave enough to venture coming so close to us. I doubt his fear had anything to do with his lord and king and more to do with the woman seated at his side.

This grand affair is supposed to be my introduction to the east—a feast for a queen.

But all I see are enemies, ones that wouldn’t think twice about poisoning my cup and laughing as I dropped over dead.

Just the mere thought of such a thing has me placing my glass back on the table, my enjoyment of wine long forgotten.

But am I to blame them?

If everything Levi told me earlier this afternoon was true, then don’t these people have a right to distrust me? To hate me, even?

I would, if in their shoes.

Why, Father? Why do this? Why send little boys off to war? And why only the east, for no such law was passed in the west or south. And what other laws have you passed that have oppressed my kingdom so? What will I find when I go south in a month? Or when I travel west in the month after that? Will I be forever persecuted by your sins?

All these thoughts banging in my mind have me light-headed one minute and suffering from a migraine the next.

Was it grief, Father?

Was it your broken heart that made you demand the wives of those who swore to serve you?

Did it hurt that much for you to want… no, need to hurt whoever had a sliver of happiness and love in their lives?

One thing is for sure, I will not be that type of ruler.

I will not let my own heartache ever make a monster out of me.

Because if Levi’s accounts of the night his parents died are true, then that was what my father was. A monster.

So why do I still love him?

Why do I feel like I’m betraying his memory by undoing all he’s done?

By falling…

On reflex, I tilt my head toward Levi, who is still in high spirits after this afternoon. He must sense my eyes on him since he turns his head over his shoulder to gift me one of his smiles.

My lower belly quivers when he stops the conversation he was having to whisper in my ear.

“Look at me like that again, my queen, and I will cut this feast short just so I can fuck you on this table.”

I keep my expression perfectly blank, but inside, I’m a raging volcano of need.

This man can’t open his mouth without having me weak in the knees.

It’s highly inconvenient, especially when I’m supposed to have my wits about me.

“What? No witty comeback, Your Highness?” he teases.

I turn my cheek to his other side, so no one can read the words that are about to come out of my mouth.

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