Betrothed To Jack Frost Box Set

by Alex Gedgaudas

  By the time she was done, Elle felt the same way she had felt during her high school graduation: too overdressed and extremely uncomfortable in the stilettos that Lucy had given her to wear.

  “Could I wear different shoes?” said Elle, teetering after the goddess in a slow fashion. What kind of dinner party did Elle really need to dress up for anyway?

  Hera turned and watched her with a look of sheer horror. “Do you not comprehend how the shoes complete the outfit? Honestly, dear. Be thankful you didn’t say such things in front of Aphrodite—she would have slapped you!”

  Elle ignored her godmother and the tingling sensation that came with once again traveling by teleporting. Glancing around, she thought for sure Hera was bringing them to some part of Olympus for this silly dinner party. To her surprise, everything in the room was decorated in a pure winter theme. The floors looked to be made from frozen ice that would cover a lake in winter as a light mist gently rose from it. Elle found even though the floor looked slick like ice, you could walk on it as easily as though you were walking on carpet. Snow fell from the ceiling over what appeared to be the dance floor. An enormous crystallized ice sculpture covered the table arranged with enough fancily made entrees that looked fit for royalty.

  It was noticing the giant winter-themed ice throne holding King Boreas that made Elle double take. There was a very large amount of people, maybe well over one or two hundred. They were all clapping at something the king had just announced. “You lied to me,” Elle accused softly, trembling as she saw Queen Oritya was here along with her twin killing machine sons.

  “Indeed,” Hera admitted, not sounding guilty in the slightest. “However, had I not, I do not believe for a moment you would have allowed me to dress you up for tonight’s winter gala.”

  “Why do I have to be here?” asked Elle, barely audible given how ground together her teeth were.

  Hera spared her a truly perplexed glance. “Isn’t it obvious, dear? This is a party in honor of Jack! He has now spent two hundred years working for Winter’s Kingdom delivering snow!” She beamed. “You should be very proud. This is the longest anyone—even Boreas—has ever gone with bringing frost to the globe!” she said excitedly.

  “I’m glowing with pride on the inside,” Elle replied in a bored voice, causing Hera to frown.

  “That is a bit unorthodox, but if you insist.” Elle nearly groaned at yet another person who did not understand sarcasm.

  Her eyes began to rake over the many other members of this party. A vast majority of people had pale complexions or different-colored faces. Elle assumed they lived here at the North Pole. Other people Elle recognized as gods and goddesses that she had seen previously in the arena during fighting sessions, dressed up in fabulous attire. People even wore their royal clothes of golden robes and tunics like Zeus and Hera, or they went for a more casual look dressed in fine suits and gorgeous dresses like Poseidon and Amphitrite.

  King Boreas sat upon his throne dressed in his familiar outfit, signaling he was the King of Winter’s throne. His wife sat upon the throne beside him, dressed in an overwhelmingly lengthy pure white gown that glittered with shiny, glowing crystals.

  Khione was dressed in an outfit similar to her mother, just a much smaller version. It was Jack that Elle saw next. He was inhumanly handsome, dressed casually in black jeans and a grey long-sleeved shirt underneath a pitch-black blazer. Even though he looked like the only person out of this whole party dressed in absolutely normal clothes with the exception of Hermes—dressed in blue jeans, a red Fall Out Boy tee, and Converse—he pulled the look off brilliantly. As Elle’s thoughts turned to how attractive his brilliantly white hair looked even while incredibly messy, she flushed with embarrassment as she looked away. Thinking of how attractive he looked brought her back to the memory of kissing him.

  “Settle down, Ells. Your heart rate is going crazy.” Apollo chuckled, suddenly appearing nearby. “My stepmother went to greet my father. I’m here to replace her as your bodyguard.” He grinned.

  “I wouldn’t need a bodyguard if you guys didn’t kidnap me and keep me here where quite a few people want to kill me,” said Elle, gently elbowing him. She was serious, but there was a certain teasing in her voice.

  Apollo snickered. “You’re in better spirits, aren’t you?”

  “It was seeing you die that made me realize I forgive you,” she mumbled, allowing Apollo to pull her into a hug.

  He nodded, sparing her the hint of a smile as he looked down at her. “If I would’ve known dying was what it took to weasel back in your good graces, I’d have allowed Jack to kill me long before that.”

  Elle cringed. “No joking, please. The memory of all the blood and violence is still giving me nightmares.”

  Apollo frowned, gently slipping his large hand to Elle’s before entwining his fingers with hers. “I really am sorry, Elle, more than you could ever know.”

  “You don’t have to keep apologizing.”

  “I didn’t allow you to live to your fullest extent while you were still among humanity,” Apollo said through gritted teeth. “Had I known Winter’s Kingdom would never allow you out of their sight…” He trailed off while looking pained. “I didn’t think they would keep you their prisoner.”

  “It’s my own fault for not living life to the fullest,” Elle disagreed, gently moving closer to Apollo to hug him again. “I spent so much time thinking I had the rest of my life to do something amazing, I didn’t appreciate life while I still had the chance to live it.”

  Apollo closed his eyes as he pressed his sandy-blond head against the top of Elle’s head. “Eros will have a massive fit over this, but may I have this dance?”

  Elle smiled at the thought of the beautiful Eros scowling. He would certainly stomp his feet over the fact that she was dancing with someone who was not her fiancé. Elle took Apollo’s hand as he led her out onto the dance floor. A slow song had suddenly started, causing him to bring her in close while one handheld a firm grip on her waist. Elle took a deep breath as she tried not to mentally panic. It wasn’t Apollo making her nervous; it was the eyes of too many individuals who were watching her strangely. They held her in utter contempt.

  Elle’s teeth nearly chattered as she mentally prayed she wouldn’t trip while dancing in her stilettos. There were too many eyes on her that it would be rather embarrassing. “Why is everyone watching us?”

  “They are watching you, for you are the lost fire princess,” Apollo explained, gently whispering this into her ear. “For the longest time, it was suspected you were lost forever. You were one of those rare moments where immortals assumed the fates had been wrong. For a few years, Hermes and I had no idea where Matthew ran with you, but your mother Pele knew you still lived for your heart still beat.”

  “Wait, what?”

  Apollo nodded. “Goddess mothers can sense their children. Their children’s hearts once resided inside of them. That gives them the ability to sense when the child’s heart is coming to a stop or still beating strong. Winter’s Kingdom knew you still lived for Pele kept them updated on your survival.”

  “Of course she did. She didn’t want to marry to Prince Popsicle, so she had no problem throwing me under the bus,” muttered Elle.

  Apollo snorted. “That’s accurate.” He grinned, pressing his forehead against the top of her hair. Elle sighed as he pulled her closer into a hug. “So I hear you’re not in love with the idea of being waited on hand or foot in the palace?”

  Elle wrinkled her nose in displeasure. “If I have one more person offer to make my bed or to pre-chew my food, I’m going to have to slap someone. It’s creepy.”

  Apollo snickered. “Typical. You’ve always been peculiar. You’ve never been one to enjoy being waited on.”

  “I suppose you grew up with a silver spoon in your mouth?” Elle teased, causing him to grin before spinning her around and dipping her backwards. Elle giggled as Apollo brought her in closer, his hand resting dangerously low on her waist a
s he squeezed her gently.

  “Don’t be ridiculous. It was a golden spoon, mind you,” muttered Apollo, causing Elle to laugh again.

  It was feeling just like old times being friends right now. Apollo watched her soundlessly as he gently swayed them back and forth to the music. He looked sad for the briefest of moments. Elle looked across the room to find Hermes happily waving in her direction. He was proudly showing off what looked to be a two-foot long sub sandwich decked out with the works.

  “So, you two are brothers,” said Elle, waving at Hermes while he airily conversed with one of Poseidon’s sons.

  Apollo groaned gently as he noticed who she was referring to. “Yes. I know what you’re thinking…I’m clearly the better-looking one.”

  Suddenly, Hermes’ head snapped up, for he no doubt heard his elder brother’s comment from across the noisy throne room. With a harsh glare, Hermes made a rather rude hand gesture at Apollo that caused Elle to laugh. He then laughed when she did, causing Apollo to soon glance down at her before heaving a sigh. “I wish I could keep you for myself,” he uttered softly. Elle’s head suddenly glanced up to find he looked horribly sad. “I cannot repeat that, but yes, you heard me right.” He nodded before placing the sweetest of kisses upon Elle’s forehead.

  Strangely, Elle felt torn about hearing him say such a thing. A long time ago, she would have been ecstatic to hear him say those words. That was before kissing Jack. It was Jack’s words later on that had been haunting Elle. Maybe she knew it was Apollo; maybe she didn’t. Even though Elle originally felt it was Apollo she kissed, she remembered leaning in to kiss Jack. It was his strange wintry smell and cool lips that kept her there and the desire that pooled inside of her. Elle closed her eyes tightly. Hera was right; Jack Frost was getting under her skin.

  It was as the dance with Apollo slowly came to an end that Elle politely excused herself. She needed to collect her thoughts because she did not enjoy thinking about Jack and his cold nimble fingers tightening on her waist as she danced with Apollo. It was seeing Jack off in the corner that inspired Elle to go over and start up a conversation with him.

  “Hi. How’s your night going?”

  Jack sent her a harsh look that caused her to freeze her walk. “Swell. I’m very busy celebrating.” He swigged back a gulp from the bottle he held.

  His sudden attitude did not sway her desire to talk. She bit her inner cheek. “This party is for you, huh?”

  “Was it the introduction speech my father provided saying it was in my honor that gave it away?” sneered Jack, his eyes narrowing.

  “Did I do something to offend you by simply asking how your night was going?” demanded Elle, her eyes now glaring back.

  “Yes,” he answered simply. “You are in my face still talking, although I did not request you to speak to me.” With that, Jack walked away, but not before shooting the now-approaching Apollo a particularly nasty look.

  People were dancing, laughing, and having a splendid time. All Elle could do was watch in silence as her betrothed left the throne room.

  “Are you all right?” Apollo inquired, nodding his head Jack’s retreat.

  “I will be after I figure out what that was about.”

  Chapter 7

  Unfortunately, Elle spent at least twenty minutes trying to find Jack again. He was no longer in the hallway he had retreated to, and Elle couldn’t find him in the throne room. She went in search of him. She slowly approached Khione, who was conversing with a dark-haired man she did not recognize. Elle tried to swallow her fear. “Hello, Khione.”

  “Elle! It is fantastic to see you, my future sister.” The young woman beamed, stepping away from her date. “I am disappointed to see you are not enjoying the festivities!”

  Elle gave an awkward shrug. “Have you seen Jack?”

  Khione at once nodded. “He went off into the guest halls earlier, I believe, but…” She trailed off, her expression quite frightened before she looked toward the guest halls and then toward the floor.

  “But what?”

  “He, er…might have had matters to discuss with someone,” said Khione, suddenly looking rather awkward.

  Elle started in the direction of the guest halls before Khione attempted to step in front of her while looking rather sheepish. Unfortunately, before she could say much else, her godly date took her for a spin on the dance floor. Elle ignored the strange feeling that Khione had something to say but didn’t know how to express it. Elle continued on her way, ignoring the lustful eyes of certain males as she headed to the halls. Calais’ eyes were specifically watching Elle’s exposed legs as she walked past him, causing Hermes to slap him on the back of the head. “Really, man? That is my goddaughter right there. Show some respect!”

  “She’s hot,” Calais argued gently, tossing the passing Elle a wink.

  “Of course she is, stupid. She’s a demigoddess descended from fire,” Hermes scoffed, oblivious to Calais having meant something incredibly different than that. Elle ignored the two gods. She spent at least a good ten minutes walking toward the guest halls, wondering why Jack would be in here of all places. Elle maneuvered her way past a couple who had a door open but were far too busy making out to possibly notice someone had walked down the hall. She soon saw a male Chinese deity and a male Greek god heavily engrossed in a make-out session while she continued walking. That was unfortunately the moment that Elle took note that the guest halls seemed specifically reserved for gods and goddesses who wanted to do a little more than simply talking.

  Elle heard a familiar voice growl a command for someone to shut up, and it caused her to hurry away from the lovelorn individuals in the hall in the direction she could hear Jack’s voice. That was when she came across a door on her left. Glancing down both ends of the hallway, she found gods and goddesses were too busy with someone they were trying to usher inside a room Elle now guessed was specifically reserved for when they wanted to do things of the naughty variety. Against her better judgement, Elle gently opened the door to the room she saw Jack slip into.

  Elle quickly realized she should start listening to her little voice when it warned her against doing something. The signs not to enter the room were there. Out of the three couples she passed, there was not one god or goddess that wasn’t preoccupied with heavy groping or kissing. Elle shouldn’t have expected walking in on Jack would be any exception. But she had. She didn’t expect Jack to be shirtless and leaning against a winter-themed wall holding onto the bare thighs of a scantily clad Voluptas as she wrapped her short legs around his waist. The small goddess was dressed in a hot pink gown that fell knee length and specifically showed off her cleavage that Elle still felt strongly was as unreal as her hair extensions. Voluptas was quite busy kissing Jack’s neck as he kept his head against the wall with his eyes closed. He made no movement to kiss her back, but that hardly mattered.

  The scene quickly escalated as Voluptas smiled happily at Jack. “I knew one day you would return to me,” she murmured in her lovely French accent.

  “I said, I don’t want to hear your voice,” spat Jack coldly. He nearly dropped her on the floor to walk away from her.

  Elle’s throat constricted into a tight knot as she slowly backed away from the scene. She felt a deep kick in the gut, but she couldn’t place why. Her mind swam with emotional pain as Voluptas strutted over to rub Jack’s bare chest with a manicured hand.

  Elle started to exit the room, only to trip on her ridiculously long gown that flowed nearly three feet behind her. She landed on the floor in a sprawl, falling directly on her knee. The movement finally paused Voluptas’ purring to Jack in French. The two were now fully alerted they were not alone.

  “Elle?”

  Elle ignored Jack as she pulled herself up from the ground and hurried away. This time, she was smart enough to hold onto her flowing gown as not to fall again. She ran quickly, surprised with how fast she could move in very thin heels. Elle found she was back in the crowded ballroom where everyone was dan
cing, eating, or conversing happily with one another. She tried to even out the lump in her throat as she fought the urge to cry. Why did she want to cry, anyway? It wasn’t as though she and Jack were anything. They weren’t together romantically. They weren’t friends talking about forming a relationship. They kissed one measly day. That didn’t suddenly build a foundation for anything. The best Jack had said after the day they shared a kiss was that he no longer wished to see her dead.

  Still, Elle felt horrible as she slowly walked around the entire dance floor, careful to ignore Apollo. She also carefully avoided Hermes, who was happily beckoning for her to join him at the dessert table. She didn’t feel like being happy. Hera had drifted over to where Elle stood, her eyes immediately suspicious. She could see that Elle was fighting back the urge to cry.

  “What has happened? Is it Oritya? I do not care about the Treaty of 1646, I will punish her horribly if a finger has been laid upon you,” declared the goddess, her eyes smoldering with intensity.

  “Jack was with Voluptas,” said Elle quietly, trying and failing to conceal her utter disappointment.

  Hera lifted a delicate golden brow as her eyes scanned Elle’s face. It was as though she understood without further explanation. “You are jealous,” she said. No happiness resided in her voice, only minor pity. Elle gently nodded her head. She couldn’t argue what was right in front of her. Seeing Jack with someone had hurt her far more than it should have.