Chapter 23: The Ice Queen 3
Tension crackled in the Haven's dusty air, thick as static before a storm.
Freya loomed tall, platinum-cyan hair glintingld, icy blue eyes boring into Kael like twin blades.
Her threat hung heavy, "smooth and simple, or rough and broken," and Kael knew one thing for damn sure: she meant every word.
Rhea, pinned in his grip till now, went still, her amber eyes flicking up to Freya, aggression melting into something sharp, eager, like a wolf scenting blood.
Kael's hands loosened, letting her slip free, her pajama-clad frame stepping back, breath hitching as she watched.
He squared up, boots planted firm on cracked tiles, and met Freya's glare, feigning a grin, hazel eyes glinting with forced steel.
"Hard way means you're stuck in your room longer," he said, voice steady, rough around the edges.
"Easy way, you get a say in how this goes."
His words rolled out bold, but his pulse ticked fast, bruises pulsing faint on his jaw, ribs aching from last night's brawl.
Freya's face shifted, subtle, a twitch at her lip, but Kael caught it: annoyance, pure andld.
She didn't budge, didn't blink, just stood there, a statue carved of frost, her gaze pressing harder.