Frost by E. Latimer Read Free Book Online Page A

around me so his chest pressed to my back, his chin nearly touching my cheek. He smelled like soap.
Then he tipped the pitcher forward and the water flowed out in a clear stream, pooling in the basin. He stopped when it was half full and set the jug on the corner of the nightstand.
"Watch this," he murmured, his breath warm on the back of my neck.
I tried to repress a shiver as his fingers curled around my wrist. Funny how the cold didn’t affect me, but a simple touch was enough to give me goose bumps.
He guided my hand toward the water in the basin, and I watched, holding my breath, as he skimmed my fingers over the surface of the water. Nothing happened for a moment, and then a cool, tingling feeling swept down my arms, both alien and familiar all at once. The surface of the water stilled. A thin crackling noise came from the basin, and I watched in astonishment as the water turned solid in a rapid formation of layers right down to the very bottom.
I gasped and jerked my hand backward, but Loki held on.
"It's okay," he said. "It's not a bad thing. Touch it."
He let my hand go, and hesitantly, I reached out and ran one finger over the shimmering surface. It slid across my skin like silk, water droplets clinging to my fingers.
"See?" Loki stepped back, his eyes searching my face. "It doesn't have to be a bad thing."
"I can turn water into ice," I whispered, fearing that, if I said it too loudly, I might shatter this fragile new discovery.
"You can."
As the tingling feeling faded, the memories flooded in. Adam's face swam in front of me. Blue, petrified. The room grew fuzzy around the edges. Something squeezed my lungs, and I staggered to the canopy bed and sat down heavily.
Loki perched beside me on the edge of the mattress. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to shock you. I just thought you should know."
"I just—it will take me a bit." I rubbed my forehead, suddenly overwhelmingly tired.
He shook his head, smiling ruefully. “I’m an idiot. You've been kidnapped and driven all over the countryside. And then I make you use your ability for the first time since....well, y'know. You should lie down." He leaned over and drew the edge of the comforter back.
There was no way I was going to argue. The bed looked inviting. As I climbed between the sheets, my eyelids fluttered, and I struggled to stay awake just a little longer. I wanted to keep talking, but I hadn't slept at all last night. Now that there was no immediate danger, my adrenaline was no longer pumping. I could barely stay awake.
It was also comforting that I’d frozen something without hurting anyone. Loki was right. It was a good thing. The dread seeped away, leaving me almost weak with relief and a little giddy. Probably just lack of sleep.
"You need some rest. I'll get you some clothes in town. And shoes." Loki stood up and shoved his hands in his pockets. “Anything else you need?”
I smiled sleepily. "I don't need shoes. I'm like Frosty the Snowman. Just get me a corn-cob pipe and a button nose."
He snorted. "I think your sleep deprivation is making you delirious. Sleep tight, darlin’."
The door clicked shut, and my eyes drooped closed. The warm glow of the gas fireplace cast an orange light against my eyelids.
As I slid into dreams, I had time for one last thought. Darlin’. I think I like it.
 
The snow is firm and slick under my feet as I walk to the palace doors. My sword sheds a trail of red droplets behind me, the blood still warm enough to melt a scarlet trail in my wake. The doormen usher me in. The crystal walls of the hallway reflect my face back at me, thin and pale, weary from battle. My white-blond hair has gone black with blood and grime, and servants hurry to whisk my blade away. Someone drapes a gray wolf pelt over my shoulders, pushing a metal goblet of spiced wine into my hand.
I move into the throne room with little fanfare.
The members of court linger around our queen, casting curious glances at one another as I enter. Several of the