Page 49 of The Iron Flower

“Myeaaaaars! They cut myeaaars!”

“I know,shush’onin. I know they did. But you arebeautiful.Theycannotchange that. They canneverchange that.”

Bleddyn pulls her into a hug, holding tight as Olilly cries and rages into her broad shoulder.

Trystan and Tierney are standing by the largest window in the kitchen, set over the pump-sink. Trystan presses his wand against the window, its tip emitting a quick flash of blue light. He quietly confers with Tierney, then nods as she lifts her palm toward the window, a heavy white frost forming around the panes.

They both step back, assessing their work. Then Trystan strides over to Rafe and me as Tierney leaves through the back door.

“I’m going to get Diana,” Rafe tells us, his tone weighted with fury.

Trystan nods somberly, and Rafe takes his leave. I turn to my younger brother. “What were you and Tierney doing? To the windows and doors?”

“Warding them,” he says grimly. “If anyone tries to use Mage power to get in, the spell will double back and blast a hole through them. And if someone tries to force the windows open, their hands will freeze.”

I blink at him, impressed. “Well, that’s good.”

“I’m going outside to find Tierney,” Trystan tells me, his face agitated. “To help her check the grounds.”

Worry clenches my gut. “What will you do if any of the mobs come?”

Trystan gives me a look I’ve never seen before in my younger brother’s eyes—pure, unadulterated danger.

“I’ll throw bolts of lightning straight through their chests.”

For a split second, I wonder what happened to the skinny little boy who was so afraid of thunder. Who would come racing into my room, clutching his toy bear, diving completely under my covers to hide from the booming sound. Now he’s standing before me, all power and assurance, prepared to throw lightning to protect everyone.

“Be careful,” I say, my voice rough with emotion.

Trystan’s tone is slow and lethal. “Oh, Ren, I think they’re the ones who need to take care, don’t you?”

Trystan strides out with an air of dark purpose, his cloak rippling behind him.

Small hands grab on to my skirts, and I look down to find little Fern clutching her doll and clinging to me.

“Oh, sweet one,” I say, sinking down and pulling her close, wishing I could strip the memory of this horror from her mind.

“They’re gonna cut her ears,” Fern sobs, her mouth pressed against her doll’s head, the words muffled.

I enfold her in my arms. “We’re going to protect you.”

She shakes her small head against me. “They’re gonna catch her and cut Mee’na’s ears.”

Oh, Ancient One. Her cloth doll, Mee’na. She’s afraid the Gardnerians will come and mutilate her beloved toy.

The magnitude of my people’s cruelty washes over me with a force that’s so staggering, for a moment I can barely breathe. And suddenly, I’m longing for power like Trystan’s, so I could take up the wand concealed in the side of my boot and strike down the mobs without mercy.

“No one is going to hurt you, or Mee’na, or anyone else,” I promise her fiercely. “Everyone here is going to protect you.”

Fernyllia comes looking for Fern. She sends me a grave glance and lowers herself to her granddaughter’s level, murmuring softly to Fern as she takes the child into her stout arms.

As I rise, my eyes meet Bleddyn’s from across the room, and a flash of morbid solidarity passes between us. She and Iris are helping Olilly to her feet, their arms wrapped around the girl’s slender shoulders. Led by Fernyllia, they all move toward the side-door that leads to the workers’ lodging just off the side of the kitchen. Fernyllia hands Fern to Yvan, and Fern wraps her small arms tightly around his neck, her fearful eyes peeking at me over his shoulder. I attempt a small, bolstering smile, but my heart is breaking into pieces.

Yvan turns to me before he walks out, his gaze holding mine with concentrated force, his silent message clear.

Wait for me.

The door leading into the kitchen shimmers blue, and Trystan reenters the room. His eyes immediately dart toward the others as they leave, and Bleddyn nods to Trystan before she exits. He somberly dips his head in return.

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