Page 10 of The Kingdom Cursed By Iron

“I’d rather discuss that in private.”

I release a bitter laugh at the stiffness in his voice. As if he’s earned such a request. His privacy has been all that’s ever mattered. More important than me, certainly. More important than us.

“I won’t be leaving Nora alone with the likes of you.”

I throw Dad a surprised look. His voice is stern, almost intimidating. He wraps a protective arm around me. Even though he’s just seen Ruskin slaughter a dozen men, he glares at him like he could knock him down with just a look.

Ruskin dips his head in what I suspect, with wonder, is a sense of awkwardness. Dad’s actually making him feel bad.

“My apologies, Mr. Thorn, but it really is a matter of some importance.”

Well, that confirms that his reasons aren’t just about me, our relationship. If chasing me down was his top priority, he’d have done it two weeks ago.

“We’ll speak at home,” I say abruptly, turning my head to look straight at the road. My father makes a noise of disapproval, but before he can protest further, Ruskin is bowing his head once more.

“Very well. I will see you there.”

He stops keeping pace with the cart and drifts back into the trees that line the road.

“Nora, are you insane?” Dad splutters as soon as Ruskin’s out of sight. “Isn’t that the creature who kidnapped you?”

I don’t need this to be more complicated than it already is, so I simplify things for Dad, giving him the story I’ve had two weeks to decide upon.

“No, Dad. He didn’t kidnap me—I asked him to take me away. Like I was saying before, I made a deal with him in return for freeing me from Albrecht’s castle. He took me to Faerie because he wanted me to do a job for him. Because of my metallurgy. When I was done, I came home.”

Dad takes a moment to process this, touching his bandage like he’s worried his injury is playing tricks on him.

“I…don’t know where to begin,” he says. Then seems to decide that, in fact, he does. “Why is he here now?” he asks. His brow creases with worry. “Are you sure your debt is repaid? You know how treacherous these fair folk can be.”

“I’m sure this isn’t about our deal. I did what he needed me to. This must be about something else. And anyway, I found a way around his tricks in Faerie. He can’t make me do anything I don’t want to.”

Nothing I’ve said is technically a lie, but the guilt is still there when I see Dad look a little relieved. It’s better this way, I tell myself, even as the hypocrisy stings. After all, isn’t this why I’m so angry with Ruskin? For keeping secrets? But Dad is so fragile when it comes to Mom. If I knew all the facts, I could find a way to tell him as gently as possible—but I don’t. All I could tell him is that Mom made some kind of deal with Ruskin years before. Maybe he knows that already…but maybe he doesn’t, and he’ll be horribly hurt to learn it. Without more detail, more context—information that Ruskin refuses to give me—I’d risk breaking Dad’s heart all over again. I silently resolve that I will tell him, once I know the whole story. But not until then.

Ruskin is already there at the cottage. I know before I step through the door, because it’s no longer hanging off its hinges. I examine the frame and see where fresh, intertwining branches now hold the thing in place. The sight hardly lifts my mood.

It’s jarring, to say the least, seeing the man I know to be a High King of the Seelie Court standing in my humble little home. Most of the damage from Albrecht’s men is gone—furniture is righted and things returned to their cupboards, but the improvement does little to hide the stark contrast between our crude belongings and Ruskin’s elegant frame as he leans against the wall.

“Sorry I couldn’t do more about the windows,” he says, gesturing to the holes now covered over with ivy.

I glance towards Dad, who’s eyeing the house with amazement.

“You need rest, Dad,” I say. “You should go lie down.”

He shakes his head, now glaring at Ruskin.

“No, I’m not leaving you alone with that…with him. I don’t trust him.”

I can’t argue with Dad there.

“Do you know that my kind can’t lie, Mr. Thorn?” Ruskin says, standing up straighter.

Dad looks taken aback by being addressed directly.

“Yes, I’ve heard as much,” he says gruffly. He looks sideways at me for confirmation, and I nod.

“Then you will know I’m telling the truth when I say no harm shall come to Eleanor from me while you rest. In fact, she will not leave this room unless she desires it.”

Dad rocks back on his heels, suddenly looking weary. I suspect his head is still paining him terribly, but he’s trying not to let on.

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