Summer of Frost Read Online Free Page A

Oren asked if I wouldn’t mind
walking, thinking it would cool off my nerves the longer it took.
Reluctantly, I agreed, knowing very well I tended to do things
irrationally when I was pissed.
    It didn’t take long to arrive at Sarette’s
dwelling once we headed out of the palace and into the village. She
still lived with her family most days, but usually she was with me
in the palace. Her parents didn’t mind, and neither did mine. They
all figured we were safer there anyway, instead of gallivanting out
without the protection of the palace walls.
    When I tried to knock on the door, Oren
stopped my hand from making contact for fear I would knock it down.
“Are you serious?” I hissed at him. “I’m not going to beat the door
down.”
    Oren shrugged. “Better safe than sorry, ai dulin. ”
    Rolling my eyes, I stood back while Oren
knocked twice on the door and then came to wait by my side. Almost
immediately, Sarette answered the door with a genuine smile on her
face, but when she saw Oren’s expression her gaze quickly landed on
me.
    “Sorcha, what’s wrong?” she asked,
concerned. Sarette pushed through the door and grabbed me by the
shoulders, searching my eyes for an answer.
    Not wanting to waste time, I cut right to
it. “Why did you request Alston to be one of your protectors? You
do realize we have thousands of other warriors that would kill to
watch over you,” I replied heatedly. “How could you do this to me
knowing I try to avoid him as much as possible?”
    Her shoulders sagged in defeat. “I know you
do, Sorcha, but he told me he’s trying to change. He came by here
earlier and went on and on about you, and I felt bad for him. He
really wants you back.”
    “Bullshit! He may want me back, but I didn’t
see anywhere in his demeanor earlier that would tell me he’s
wanting to change. He still seems like the same Alston from before;
he’s arrogant, demanding, cruel, and manipulative. Do I need to go
on?”
    Sarette flinched at my words, but I was
furious. Her voice was apologetic when she spoke. “I have to
believe in him, Sorcha. He’s my family, and the closest thing to a
brother I have. You of all people should know how important family
is. When he tells me he wants to change, I have to believe him.
That’s what family does.”
    We stood there staring at each other,
waiting for the other to give in. Groaning, I pulled her to me and
wrapped my arms around her. I did understand the importance of
family, and I couldn’t help the fact that one of her closest
relatives was a dick. Sarette had never really liked my brother,
Brayden, so I guess I could see where she was coming from.
    Sighing, I said, “I understand, Sarette, but
if he so much as tries to get under my skin I’m going to kick his
ass. He knows I can do it, too.”
    She snickered and squeezed me tighter. “I
won’t let him bother you. I don’t think he’s gotten over the
embarrassment of you beating the shit out of him in front of
everyone.”
    “No, I don’t believe he has, and neither has
anyone else who saw me take the mighty Alston down,” I cackled,
releasing Sarette from my arms. I may not care for Alston anymore,
but he was her family, and that was something that would never
change. Unfortunately, I was going to have to grin and bear it.
    “Are we okay?” Sarette asked sheepishly. “I
don’t want you to be mad at me.”
    I nodded. “Yes, of course we’re okay. Now
that I’ve got my anger out I’ll leave you be. Will you be by later?
I could teach you how to throw a spear, or maybe even get Aric to
show you some moves.” I waggled my eyebrows when I mentioned Aric’s
name. Sarette has had a crush on him for ages, and I’d been trying
to get them together.
    Her eyes went wide and she licked her lips.
He happened to be one of the best warriors we had, and the one with
the most flattering reputation as well. He was never short on
women, but that didn’t seem to bother Sarette in the least. I’d be
lying if I