Page 5 of Red King
“Me, too,” Frost announces. “I still can’t believe that he was behind the coup, behind your assassination attempt.” He shakes his head. “He’s always been a prick, but to stoop so low. I can’t believe that he would be so shocked by the outcome. Did Ice really think he would be pardoned? That we would just let him walk free simply because of his lineage?”
“He’s always been arrogant,” I say, folding my arms. “Why change now?”
“I’m going to petition to be the one who carries out the sentence. Watching him die won’t be enough for me.” Steel grinds his teeth as he clenches his jaw.
“Your request will be denied,” I tell him. “You are personally involved in the whole business. I wouldn’t waste my time.”
Steel’s eyes narrow. He gives a nod. “You’re probably right. I want a front-row seat next to the two of you.”
My mind goes back to that dreadful night. The night she died in my arms. My beautiful mate. My Anya.
I can still see the fear in her eyes as she took her last breaths. I can still feel her blood warm against my skin as it drained from her body. I can hear her heart racing, growing thready and weak before giving in just moments later.
Those bullets were meant for me. I should have died that night. Instead, I lost everything, and all because of my brother’s greed for the crown.
“Arctic,” Frost says. “Are you okay? Do you feel unwell?”
My eyes focus on my brother, whose face is a mask of concern.
“I’m fine.” I shake off the memories and pull my shoulders back. “Better than I have been in a long time.”
Frost nods once. I can tell that he doesn’t quite believe me.
“I want to address my people within the next few days. I will—”
“Is that wise, Your Majesty?” Steel asks. “Don’t think because Ice is behind bars that those plotting against you have stopped with their efforts to take you down because they haven’t. Ice wasn’t operating alone.”
I snort. “Hiding away is not an option for me, either. My people need to see me as a capable leader, which means that I need to address them directly. With all the rumors doing the rounds, it’s important to calm any potential unrest during this time of transition. They need to know of our plans.”
“Yes, but—” Steel starts to say.
I hold up a hand. “I’ve made up my mind. I will address them tomorrow. I am in capable hands.” I look Steel in the eye. After all that happened, he still doesn’t quite trust himself. He still feels responsible for the death of my mate. I blamed him for many years, but it ultimately wasn’t his fault. He never sent the assassin who killed Anya. His only crime was to trust the wrong female.
“Have you given my offer any more thought?” I ask him.
“I have.” He nods. “It’s all I’ve been able to think about.” He smiles for a moment. “I’m truly grateful for the offer, but I still have to decline.”
“Most males would give their right arm for such a promotion,” Frost says. “You would be a general. It’s a fantastic opportunity.”
“You’d have the full running of the security division,” I tell him because I know full well why he wants to turn it down.
“Yes, but that wouldn’t be my only responsibility.” Steel swallows thickly. “I want to be the one accountable for your safety. I have a—”
“Don’t start with how you still need to make amends because you don’t. You’ve paid in full and then some.”
“It’ll never be enough, Arctic.” He catches himself. We agreed that in public, he would address me formally even though we are friends. “Your Majesty,” he quickly corrects.
“I don’t want you to have regrets, that’s all. You might regret turning this down.”
He laughs. “It’s too late for that. I already have major regrets. This decision won’t be one of them. You won’t change my mind.”
“I wish you would let it go. That you would give yourself a break and enjoy life.”
“Iamenjoying my life.” He smiles, and his whole face lights up. “I’m right where I want to be.”
“That right there is the face of a male in love.” Frost smiles.
Steel chuckles. “I can’t deny it. Jen is…she’s…” He huffs out a breath, his eyes glinting. “She’s everything.”
