Page 142 of Frozen Hearts and Death Magic

28

The Truth

Azir leaned on the cave wall and tried to listen to what was outside. Two deatheyes, as far as he could hear. He wasn’t sure if those things slept, but he was paying attention.

Ursiana was as far away from him as she could, after some convincing that there was nowhere to go. Perhaps he should have let her go outside. Not a single thank you for saving her, no. Just anger. He could be endangering his kingdom, being here instead of there to protect it, and he got no thanks for that. But then, being stuck here was his fault. And if he thought about it, he hadn’t really saved anyone. Perhaps it was destiny, destiny that he would have a chance to get everything off his chest before dying, because he had a whole ton of things he’d always wanted to say to her. She still insisted she had never betrayed him. But… it didn’t make sense. It didn’t. Her anger made it seem that she was telling the truth, but many people used false indignation to disguise their lies. But would she do that? That shred of doubt would drive him insane. He decided to focus on what he knew she had done.

“So you decided you hate my whole family?” he asked.

There was more light coming from the opening now and he saw her narrowing her eyes. “Didn’t we just agree to remain silent? I prefer it when you’re silent.”

He chuckled. “Oh, I know what you prefer.”

“Fuck you, Azir.”

“I didn’t mean that, but—” A vine came out of nowhere and hit his face. “Ouch. I said I didn’t mean that. Can we stop with the violence?”

“I don’t control it.” She looked away and shrugged, a sly smile on her face.

“You should try to control it. This is pretty useful magic, you know?”

She was still looking away. “Some silly vines. I can’t get a field to grow crops. My magic’s just useless poison. Poison and anger, that’s all that’s left.”

That was what had been left for him too. He smirked. “Maybe it suits you.”

“It doesn’t. It doesn’t.” She got up. “You know why? I was hopeful, full of joy, full of life. I believed in the good in people. Perhaps I was too innocent. Call it stupid, call it gullible if you will, but I was just a wide-eyed girl full of dreams. And then you ended it all.”

“I did? Really?” He snorted and was about to remind her that she’d been happily married, unlike him. As to them, she couldn’t seriously be upset at him, when it had been her fault and her choices that had driven them apart. Still, he didn’t say anything because he was not in the mood to be strangled by her vines. And it was all so silly and stupid. “Oh, so you were happy? Full of joy? That’s cute. So cute. After that dreadful war. Good for you. As for me, I had just lost my family, my home, everything I knew. I was eighteen and couldn’t even grieve. Instead I had to take care of a kingdom scarred forever with tragedy and loss. It sounds lovely that you were happy.”

She bit her lip and looked down.

Perhaps he’d gone too far. “Sorry,” he said. “I know Greenstone also suffered. I know you lost a brother.”

“It doesn’t compare, Azir.”

He sighed. “Loss is loss. Can we really quantify it?”

Ursiana shook her head, and then they were immersed in silence. It was strange how silence could feel heavy, uncomfortable. Perhaps the heaviness were all the words left unsaid, all the words hanging between them.

But there were things that shouldn’t be left unsaid. “You have your problems with me and I’m fine with that. But what does my son have to do with it?”

She huffed. “Your son? Nothing.” The words came out sharp like a blade.

“Then why…” He closed his eyes and sighed. “I know you didn’t let your daughter accept his marriage proposal. Again, I understand you’re mad at me, but what does he—”

Ursiana let out a mocking, bitter laugh, so loud that it silenced him.

When her laughter subsided, he said, “I don’t understand what’s funny.”

“What’s wrong with you?” She glared at him. “Are you going to tell me you’re not only a rake, you’re dumb?”

“I’m not a rake.” That was an insane accusation, especially coming from her.

“Right. You’re dumb.”

“Just say what you’re getting at.”

“I’m getting nowhere. But you can’t possibly think Leandra and your Ilofel together would be a good idea.”

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