Page 133 of Frozen Hearts and Death Magic

She sighed. “And what do the words say?”

“I’m not sure.”

“Weren’t you the language expert?”

He chuckled. “Expert. You should have seen the disaster I was in Fernick.”

“I would have liked to. You know what I’m thinking? This would be the perfect opportunity to attack the humans. I don’t mean regular people, innocents. But we could storm the Iron Citadel, for example, before they realize their magic is gone.”

It made sense, but there was no way something like that could be planned. “Our father doesn’t want me to tell anyone.”

“That’s just silly. If we make the humans lose their magic, we need to move fast.”

Maybe, but there was another problem. “Well, no. What if this doesn’t work? We can’t put our hopes in some old magical books.”

“I guess.”

“Ciara.” He stared at her. “Tell me you’re not planning anything.”

“Why do you worry so much? You’re the one who went on a deadly, hopeless mission. Did I say anything?”

“But that’s different from going into Ironhold.”

“I just said it was a good idea. Relax, brother.”

And yet he couldn’t relax, an eerie feeling upon him.

* * *

Leah heardsteps in the hall, but got into a secret passage before they got to her. Most of the royal quarters had exits, except for Leah’s room, perhaps because her mother feared Leah would sneak out. To do what exactly? She then remembered Fel coming to her room. If he weren’t able to come in, and if she could go out to meet him, would she have done it? Maybe. Fel. Her heart got tight with worry. But he was fine. He was prepared, prepared even against an army with ironbringers. And she had to stop thinking about him and focus on finding her parents and helping her kingdom.

She’d been so foolish, returning to Ironhold, thinking it would save her parents. Of course they had already planned all this. If anything, she should have stayed in Umbraar and started planning her revenge. But now she was home—her greatest wish—and yet hiding in a small passage like a mouse.

This passage led to the cellar by the main kitchen. She wondered if an old drunk king had built this, or if the idea was to go somewhere underground, which offered some degree of protection. When she got downstairs, she listened. Since she heard no steps or voices, she assumed it was safe to open the door.

As soon as she walked out, she saw a young woman and a boy around ten. They both had light brown hair and hazel eyes, which were wide with fear.

Leah raised her hands. “I’m no threat.”

The woman looked at the passage, her face overcome with emotion. “Does it… does it lead away?” Her voice was almost a whisper.

It was awful to disappoint her, but Leah shook her head. “It goes to the hallway near the royal quarters. It can work as a temporary hideout, but it’s too narrow.”

The woman then took a better look at Leah. “Your high—”

Leah interrupted her by shaking her head. “Don’t.” She noticed that some wooden boxes were barricading them from the rest of that part of the cellar. It was already a special room, separated from the rest, and barricading it would offer even more protection. “Are there more people here?”

With a trembling hand, the woman pointed to the boxes. “On the other side, maybe.”

Leah took a better look at her. “I’ve seen you in our receptions, and around the kitchen, maybe, but I don’t recall your name.”

“Valeria. I… worked in the washhouse. This is my brother, Lago.” The boy was holding tight to the woman and still stared at Leah in fear. Valeria then pointed to the corner, “And my other brother, Sali.”

It was a young man, a Frostlake guard, lying in the corner.

“He’s hurt,” Valeria added.

Leah crouched by the young man and noticed he was sleeping, but there was some blood on his shirt. “Does he need care?”

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