Page 42 of Frozen Hearts and Death Magic

Naia glanced at Fel,who shook his head and left. Now she understood his reaction. How dare Leah mention his disability? How dare she? The letter combusted in her hand, and she had to check if she hadn’t set anything else on fire by accident, furious as she was.

* * *

As Leah was still entertainingher cousin, the same messenger returned with a reply. From Fel. She hid it because she didn’t want to open it in front of Mariana, and it took a lot of self-control not to try to at least peek and see what was written in it.

A note. That was so romantic. And it probably explained why he hadn’t tried to talk to her mother. Or perhaps he had tried.

But her mother wouldn’t lie. She was the type of person who would get angry and yell at Leah rather than hide something like that.

When Leah finally retreated to her room, to get ready for the grand banquet, she took the chance to open Fel’s note. She had to read it twice. It made no sense.

Dear Princess Leandra Frostlake

I’m glad you have wonderful marriage prospects and I wish you much happiness.

Prince Isofel Umbraar

Didit mean that he wasn’t going to propose? That he had never meant to? He hadn’t even bothered to answer her question. Perhaps all he had wanted were those kisses, and maybe even more. Her mother’s warning came to her mind. But Fel wasn’t like that.

Part of her was sure this was a misunderstanding, while another part of her was sure he’d been deceiving her. The two parts were arguing while the attendants did whatever nonsense they wanted to do with her hair. At least she’d have the chance to see him. One look was all she needed to know how he felt. Unless he could pretend. Ah, she couldn’t stand those contradicting, conflicting thoughts driving her crazy.

This time Leah’s hair was arranged in a less exaggerated style. There was just a top bun with curls cascading down from it, but she didn’t even care about it, as anxious as she was.

Her hands were sweating and her heart thrumming as she walked to the dining hall with her mother, and she wished she could become invisible, unnoticeable, that she didn’t have to hide her worry. The guests were already at the table. The Umbraars were sitting by the Karsal family, from one of the two kingdoms with no magic in their royal families. Fel was sitting by their pretty princess, talking to her. Leah’s stomach lurched.

Perhaps he flirted with many girls in his kingdom. Perhaps he took many of them flying. Perhaps he insisted on leaving so that the girl would plead for him to stay, knowing well what it meant. Or perhaps Leah was imagining all that. Still, when the Frostlake family was announced, he didn’t look at her, even if he was sitting at the opposite side of the table, from where he could see the door. His sister glanced at Leah, but there was no friendliness there. But why? Tears were threatening to burst through, and Leah took a deep breath to quiet them down and keep them where they belonged.

When Leah sat down, she realized her table neighbor was Venard. She wanted to ignore him, ignore everyone and everything, but he called her name. At least turning in his direction gave her an excuse to look at Fel, who was down the table, also to her left.

“This sitting arrangement wasn’t my choice,” Venard whispered. “I don’t want you to think anyone is pressuring you. Also, I won’t be hurt if you end up declining my offer.”

“Thanks.” That was perhaps a nonsensical thing to say. “I’ll confess, though, that I hadn’t given any thought about hurting your feelings or not.” Now, that was a rude thing to say, but she didn’t care.

“Ouch.” He laughed. “Straight to the heart. But I like honesty, you know?”

“Don’t we all?”

“Of course not. Why do you think polite lies are so popular?”

“People are strange.” Fel still hadn’t acknowledged her even once. It was as if she were invisible.

Leah had to stop being so silly. She realized then that she had an Ironhold prince by her, and perhaps she could try to pry some of his secrets. After all, one day she’d be the head of her kingdom.

She turned back to him, but in a way that she barely saw Fel. “What do you think about your father’s plans?”

He choked on the bread he was eating. “You mean me marrying you? Am I supposed to say he has great taste? That it’s a brilliant idea? You might make fun of me, you know?”

She shook her head, annoyed that he was mentioning that. “I mean the stuff from the council meeting.”

“Right.” At once, his posture relaxed. “Sending support to the other kingdoms in Aluria. Why wouldn’t we? We are fortunate enough to be prosperous, to have a strong army, and our magic allows us to develop better weapons. When you have more you give to others, don’t you?”

Leah grimaced. “Like charity?”

“Like sharing. We’re stronger together.”

“And this help comes with no cost, just from the goodness of your hearts.”

Venard shrugged. “The benefit is a stronger human land. I think it’s obvious. When the fae come, they won’t be stopping at our imaginary borders. They won’t care for our inner sense of pride or autonomy.”

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