Page 40 of Frozen Hearts and Death Magic

“My mother said his hands are false and he probably can’t have healthy children.”

That was absurd. Leah glared at her cousin. “What does one thing have to do with the other? That’s beyond stupid—and cruel.”

“I don’t know why you’re angry at me. I’m telling you what they said. From my part, I wish my parents had tried to match me with him.”

Leah’s throat was tight. “Would you pick him?”

“Who wouldn’t? What about you? Any proposals?”

So Fel had more options. Of course he had, and Leah wasn’t the only one entranced by his looks. Well, obviously not; the other princesses weren’t blind.

“So?” Mariana insisted.

Leah took a moment to recall the question, then said, “Prince Venard, from Ironhold.”

Her cousin smiled. “Quite impressive, Leah. I’m happy for you.”

“But it was only him.”

“Of course. They would have warned the other families to back off.”

Could it be that Fel’s family had been warned or threatened? It made no sense. They weren’t allies with Ironhold to start with. “What if I don’t want Venard? Nobody else will ever propose? Am I going to stay single forever?”

“I think that if you say no to him, other families might step up. But why would you say no?”

What an idiotic question. “Because I don’t love him?”

Mariana rolled her eyes. “Perhaps you are going to stay single forever.”

* * *

Naia satwith her brother in what was her father’s allocated office. An untouched challenge board lay on the table. Her mind was elsewhere, and it seemed that her brother was having the same issue.

River’s bizarre marriage proposal kept circling in her mind: spinning, spinning, not going anywhere. How could she leave her family? But then, how could she stay and watch Fel get everything while she got nothing? There had never been a future for Naia, and now she had the chance to at least try something different. Try to make a difference. No, what was she thinking? River was probably tricking her.

What Naia wanted to do was tell her brother everything, or at least some of it, then ask for his opinion. She started with an innocent question.

“Fel, would you be upset if I got married and left you?” He gave her a questioning look. She added, “And went to live far away? Even if it was someone who’s… hmm… not really an ally?”

“Who is it?” He smiled. “I mean, I can’t believe you found someone right under my nose and I didn’t notice anything. Who is it?” His tone was a lot more excited than she had expected.

Naia held a wooden piece in her hand and stared at it. “It’s just an idea… A maybe. There’s nobody.”

Fel chuckled. “You don’t fool me, sister. But if you don’t want to say who it is, I’ll respect your choice.”

Her brother was a precious jewel, always too kind. She then asked, “And you wouldn’t mind it?”

“If you’re happy, I’m happy, Naia. You know that.”

“We both need to be happy.”

“I know.” He smiled his non-dimpled, grown-up smile. “And we will. Don’t be afraid to go where your heart tells you.”

“You mean the opposite of our father’s advice?”

Fel shrugged. “How’s that been working for him?”

“I think he regrets some of his choices and that’s why he doesn’t want us making the same mistakes.”

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