Page 35 of Frozen Hearts and Death Magic

7

Meetings and Matches

Fel knew that he had a mountain ahead of him, but he could deal with challenges. He sat in his father’s room for breakfast, as only some dinners would be served in the main dining hall with all the guests. Some allies were perhaps eating together, but his father obviously hadn’t been invited to any of these smaller gatherings.

Naia was distracted and pensive, even if it didn’t change her appetite. His sister always ate well, and for his part, the worried thoughts crossing his mind were no substitute for proper nourishment.

As his father finished eating his last piece of bread, Fel took a deep breath, hoping it would give him the courage to speak his mind.

“I’m going to propose to Princess Leandra, and I hope you don’t try to thwart my efforts.” He’d practiced his phrase in his head, but saying it still felt strange.

His father stared at him for a moment, a mix of sadness and pity in his eyes. “Fel... You’re not under the illusion you’re in love, are you? Or that she’s in love?”

This wasn’t the reaction he’d expected. Fel had been prepared to see his father angry, upset, arguing, but not pitying him.

“What does it matter?” Fel spat. He hated when people felt sorry for him, hated that.

His father sighed and didn’t change that ridiculous, pitiful look. “Isofel… You have no chance with the Frostlake princess.” His tone was slow, as if explaining something to a four-year-old.

“He has a chance,” Naia intervened, which didn’t really help.

Fel glared at his father. “I asked, and she said yes. If her parents don’t allow it, I’ll take care of it myself.”

His father shook his head. “Don’t say nonsense, son. You elope with a girl, you ruin her life, you isolate her from her family. You think that’s what she wants?”

He couldn’t be serious. Fel chuckled. “Funny you say that. Isn’t that what you did to our mother?”

“And how did that turn out? Is she alive? Happy? Tell me.”

“Her death has nothing—”

“She was poisoned, Isofel.” His father’s voice was harsh. “I believe the Ironholds poisoned her.”

Naia frowned. “You never told us that.”

“What’s a supposition without proof?” His father snorted. “And don’t you see what’s happening to you? How your cousins and grandparents love you so much? And yet you should be glad it didn’t start a war.” He stared at Fel. “You take the Frostlake princess, you don’t know what might happen. Just don’t. It’s not worth it.”

Fel sighed. “I’m going to talk to her mother. Nobody has forbidden anything yet. Unless you want to pose another obstacle.”

His father raised a hand in the air in frustration. “I’m not opposing. I’m just trying to open your eyes. Think. Her daughter is the sole heir of an entire kingdom. Everyone will be proposing.”

“Almost nobody danced with her.”

His father exhaled. “Then it’s all set up. Whoever is the most powerful bidder told the other families not to get near her. A kingdom is worth killing for. This is not a fight you can win, even if we lived in a world where her mother wasn’t a two-faced snake.”

Fel scoffed. “Well, maybe if she hadn’t shunned you, you wouldn’t be so bitter.” It was a low blow, and based on a vague assumption, but his father was getting to his nerves.

His father narrowed his eyes. “Who said anything about shunning?”

“I saw how you looked at her, dad. Was our mother your second option?”

“You’re imagining things.” He laughed. “The Frostlake queen hasn’t been to any gatherings since we were young, and she looks a lot like she did almost nineteen years ago. For a moment it was like turning back time, and I was surprised, that was all.”

“Why do you hate her, though?” Fel asked. “I understand you hate the Ironholds. But why do you hate her?”

“Why do you care?”

“She’s my future mother-in-law.”

---