“Let me out this instant!” 1 slammed my fists against Frost’s door one we reached his quarters. He had practically thrown me inside before locking the door from within.
“Stop fighting me, Elowen. His voice was sharp with strain as he grabbed my wrists to prevent me from striking him. “Stop now.”
“I won’t,” I spat, twisting against his hold.
“You aren’t helping.” Frustration edged his words.
“Neither are you! You should be there, or at least let me help. I was nearly hysterical with fear for Kaius.
“You can’t help, and this time neither can I. He wants me here, protecting you, and that was an order.” Frost’s grip gentled slightly, though he didn’t release me.
“Well, I don’t have a squad of elders trying to kill me, do I? He needs protection, not me.”
“You need to calm down and hear me out.” He guided me to a chair, though I refused to sit.
“I am calm. The tremor in my voice belied my words.
“You definitely aren’t.” For the first time, raw emotion cracked through Frost’s controlled exterior. “Do you think I don’t care for my Alpha? I would have been there if I thought there was a thing I could do.”
The fight drained out of me suddenly, leaving me hollow and exhausted. “Why does it always have to be him? Why am I always left at an edge when it comes to him?”
Frost’s expression softened. “That’s because you care about him, and it’s okay
to care, Elowen.”
I sank onto the edge of the bed, tears blurring my vision. “What if they kill him?”
“They haven’t,” Frost replied with surprising certainty.
I looked up sharply, studying his face. “Kaius has just been injured, hasn’t he?”
Frost nodded, his hand going to his side in an unconscious gesture. Nothing he can’t handle. He is very much alive; I would know
that.”
Of course–the bond between Alpha and Beta. Frost could feel Kaius’s pain, would know if he were gravely injured or killed.
“So this had all been planned from the start?” The realization dawned on me slowly.
“Yes. Every single word he uttered, even when he baited them, each move had been calculated. He is no fool.” Frost began to pace, his natural restlessness breaking through his composed facade. “Kaius was going to kill them either way, but taking them by surprise was a better strategy. Normally, death is too simple a punishment for the elders for an offense as grievous as this, but they didn’t want to keep Kaius alive. Even as a human, he threatens them. He also knew they came with the cursed weapon, just in case things
went out of hand.”
My mind struggled to catch up with this revelation. “And how did he know all these?”
“Thalia, one of the elders, informed us.”
Suspicion immediately flared. “So you believed her? What if this is all a trap?”
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She had proven herself time and again. She is the only elder Kaius anned on keeping alive.” Frost’s certainty did little to reassure
- me.
“So she is… an insider playing informant? What if she pretended to be that just to get information from you guys? The idea that they were trusting an elder–one of the very people trying to strip Raius of his power–seemed ludicrous.
“There is something else. She… she has… Frost suddenly looked uncomfortable, turning away from me.
“You will have to speak up if you want to prove your point, I pressed, sensing something important.
“She has a thing for Kaius,” he admitted reluctantly.
“Seems like everyone has a thing for Kaius,” I muttered, unable to keep the bitterness from my voice.
Frost shot me a look, his ice–blue eyes glinting with humor that barely masked his own jealousy.
Then I remembered the cursed dagger, the way the elders had circled Kaius. “So they never intended a fair trial.”
“There’s no such thing as fair when it comes to power,” Frost replied grimly. “Kaius knew that better than anyone. That’s why he had his own plan in place.”
To kill them all. The words felt hollow in my mouth.
I paced the small confines of his room, trying to sort through the jumble of information and emotions. “I noticed Kaius wasn’t escorted by those scary–looking guards this time… that should have been my first clue something was planned.”
Frost nodded. “That was deliberate. Thalia convinced the elders that bringing Kaius in chains with a large escort would make them appear fearful of him, damaging their image. They’re obsessed with appearances and pride, so they foolishly agreed.” He leaned against the wall, a hint of admiration in his voice. “What they didn’t realize was that she was creating the perfect opportunity for Kaius. Without guards or restraints, he had the freedom to move against them. They had no idea he could resist their mind sorcery and every other trick they’d prepared.”
“It had all been an act?” The pieces were falling into place, creating a picture of calculation and manipulation that both impressed and disturbed me.
“Yes…”
A new thought struck me, one that sent a fresh wave of hurt through my chest. “And you guys didn’t think about informing me
sick.” about this plan? Instead, you left me worrying
Frost had the grace to look uncomfortable. “I thought the same, but Lysandra predicted that you would create a scene and the elders would believe this was all genuine. They wouldn’t know what was coming for them till it was too late.”
I froze. “So ‘Lysandra‘ knew about this and I didn’t!”
Before Frost could respond, he suddenly doubled over, a strangled cry escaping his lips as he dropped to his knees.
“Frost, are you alright?” I rushed to his side, all thoughts of jealousy and betrayal momentarily forgotten.
“I’m fine,” he managed through gritted teeth, though his face had gone pale, a thin sheen of sweat breaking out across his forehead.
“What happened?” I helped him to a chair, genuine concern replacing my earlier anger.
“It’s over,” he said after
a
“We need to go to him,” I said, already moving toward the door.
moment, his breathing gradually steadying, “Kaius… he’s in pain, but alive. The fight is done.”
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Frost nodded, rising a bit unsteadily. Thalia will find us when it’s sp. For now, let’s prepare for his injuries.”
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