Page 101 of The Kingdom Cursed By Iron

“Now, let’s not go too far, Lord Hadeus,” she says. “Everyone knows these things are open to interpretation.”

“Yes, let’s not go too far,” Ruskin says, his voice all the deadlier for being soft as velvet. “Don’t make me have to go too far, Lord Hadeus. Because I will remain your prince when all is said and done, with the authority to do as I like with anyone who threatens this court. And seeing as the curse has only gotten worse in Eleanor’s absence, I’d say anyone who calls to remove her is indeed a threat to this court.”

He retracts the vine, releasing Hadeus, who sits up in his saddle, massaging his wrist. He gives Ruskin a look of pure hatred.

“I would’ve thought the queen would have final say on this matter, my Lord,” Hadeus says, somehow making the last two words sound like an insult.

Ruskin bares his teeth. “And you presume to know what the queen wants?”

Hadeus glares, but refrains from answering. Instead, he seizes his reins.

“It would seem we have nothing further to discuss, my Lord,” he says.

“That’s the wisest thing you’ve said this whole conversation,” Ruskin replies.

Hadeus just shakes his head, chivvying his horse to ride off towards the Emerald Forest. The rest follow, and Ruskin glowers after them.

“Come on, let’s go,” I say. The sourness of a handful of fae matters a lot less to me than the description of the court so overrun with iron that half the courtiers have fled. Could things have really gotten that bad so soon? I need to see it for myself—and see if there’s anything I can do.

With the main entrance blocked, we find a side door not overrun by the metal, using it to slip inside. I’m almost shocked that we don’t immediately hit a wall of iron, but the first corridor we come across is clear. It’s also deserted. I shiver at the unnatural silence of it.

“Look,” Ruskin points to gouges in the floor, like someone’s hacked an object off it. “They’ve been clearing it by hand.”

Now that I look, I can see the evidence that there was iron here, but it’s been removed. It must’ve been terrible, painstaking work, and a swell of guilt threatens to overwhelm me.

“Dawnsong, Eleanor.” I don’t think Halima’s serious voice has ever sounded so welcoming to me as it does now, and I turn to see her striding towards us. Her normally calm face looks strained, dark circles of tiredness underscoring her eyes.

“My men sighted you and alerted me to your return.”

“What happened?” Ruskin asks, his horror making it come out like a demand.

“The problem has worsened,” Halima says, her voice cold. “I would’ve thought that was clear.”

“But I told you to send word if this happened,” Ruskin snaps back. I understand his frustration; it’s easier than wallowing in the guilt, but it does little to thaw Halima.

“I received orders from the queen to delay the message. She said that your mission in the Unseelie Kingdom was essential, and that calling you back early would only cause more problems.”

It’s true that my training is important, but Evanthe giving those instructions seems strange to me. I examine my friend’s face, looking for something I’m not sure I can name at that moment. I just know this feels wrong.

“You disobeyed an order,” Ruskin says.

“Ruskin—” I start to interrupt, but Halima gets there first, her eyes flaring.

“I followed the instruction of my queen. Who, might I remind you, is supposed to be the ruler of this court.”

“Are you denying my authority?” Ruskin asks, astounded.

“I question the authority of a king who would leave his court in such desperate circumstances, yes.”

Even my jaw drops. Halima has always been one to speak her mind, but I’ve never seen her this openly defiant before.

“Half of your court has abandoned this place, the other half are growing sicker by the day. I warned you,” Halima continues, and a rare note of emotion makes her voice crack. “I told you not to go, and now this.” She flings her arms wide, taking in the whole of the iron-infected court.

“Halima,” I say gently, trying to calm her. “Ruskin was only doing what he thought was best. He had a difficult decision to make, but he made what he thought was the right choice.”

“Don’t talk to me about right choices, Eleanor. Not when you’ve been as guilty as anyone of distracting him from his duty.”

I step back, feeling like she’s hit me. I knew Halima was upset, but I had no idea she felt that way. It stings terribly, that the brave swordswoman who I thought was my friend thinks I’m only a distraction. A plaything for the prince who should be focusing on his people. I feel my cheeks heat with hurt and shame.

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