Page 14 of The Kingdom Cursed By Iron

His brows furrow. “It would be in violation of the treaty.”

“You’re really telling me you’d deny me this on a matter of principle?” I scoff at the idea. “You made the treaty; I know you’re above its rules—how else would you be popping over to Styrland whenever you feel like it?”

Ruskin tightens his lips, but he doesn’t argue. Can’t—because he knows I’m right.

“And his servants? His guards? Don’t you think they’ll notice when their king suddenly seems to have no memory of the woman he once meant to marry?”

“I think you underestimate how terrified they all are of drawing his attention. They wouldn’t tell him if he was on fire for fear that he’d blame them. The moment he says he doesn’t know what the hell they’re talking about, trust me, they won’t press the issue.”

“And then you plan to live peacefully here?” he asks. The coldness is back in his voice.

“Yes, where else would I be? This is my home.”

Ruskin’s face betrays nothing, he simply nods.

“Very well. I agree.”

“You’ll do it, then? I’ll need you to give me your word.” We can’t make a deal, not in the typical way. The fact that I know his true name means he can’t bind me. So his promise will have to do.

“You really trust me so little?” he says icily.

Yes. But saying that out loud won’t help anything, so I just shrug, my thoughts already pressing forward to what this new agreement between us will mean. I’ll be back in Faerie—and maybe while I’m there, I’ll be able to find out more about this strange link between what our true names mean. Then I can put to rest whatever nagging feeling pulls at me whenever I think about the strange connection between them.

“Wait there,” I say, going to the door. I pause for a moment in the doorframe to prepare myself. “I’m about to tell my father something he definitely doesn’t want to hear.”

Chapter 5

“No, absolutely not. Nora, have you lost your mind?” Dad’s holding onto my hands like he might never let go. It fills my heart with guilt, but I have to make him understand.

“It’s the only way, Dad. The only option that means we can live in peace. We don’t have to leave the village. I just have to do this one task, and then everything can go back to how it was before.”

He shakes his head back and forth so many times I worry it will spin off his shoulders.

“It’s not worth the risk. We can hide from the king together—we’ll find a way. But if you go back to that place…”

“I came home before, remember?” I’m seated beside him on his bed, and I bend my head to try to catch his worried eyes.

“Not all in one piece.”

He squeezes my hand meaningfully and I try not to react. He’s noticed the missing finger, then. It doesn’t exactly help the case I’m trying to make.

“Things are different this time. The person who did that has been stopped—she can’t hurt me again. It will be safer now, I swear.”

“What does he need you for so badly anyway? He’s Blackcoat, Nora, have you forgotten that? What he does to people?”

“No, Dad. I haven’t forgotten. That’s why I’ve made sure our deal is watertight. It’s…it’s for a good reason. You have to trust me.”

I don’t think I can explain to him about Ruskin’s mother without inviting more doubt. It means explaining the strange abilities I’ve developed. And even once I’ve gotten him to understand all of that, Dad might think I’ve been emotionally manipulated, taken advantage of because of what happened to my mom. Maybe I have a little. Still, I feel like I should be able to keep my empathy and my eyes open at the same time. Ruskin will do whatever he can to get his mother back, but I would probably do the same. The thought reminds me of the unasked questions I’m still carrying around after my conversation with the changeling.

“Dad…when I was little, did I get sick?”

“What?” The change of subject must seem so sudden, he looks at me like I’m the one who might be concussed. “What do you mean?”

“I know it seems like a strange question, but do you remember if I was ever unwell as a baby?”

He frowns. “I…yes…there was a time. It was terrible. You were so small, and your mother was worried. I’d never seen her like that, she was usually so coolheaded. It was how I knew it was serious, that maybe you wouldn’t survive.”

“What happened?” I ask gently, not wanting to break the spell of his memory.

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