Page 51 of Frozen Hearts and Death Magic

Her twin scoffed. “We might become enemies, you know? Not sure you noticed it, but his kind attacked us tonight.”

Naia shook her head. “I’ll never be your enemy, ever. Trust me, Fel.”

“Do you trust him?” Fel’s voice was breaking as he pointed at River.

This wasn’t a question she could answer yes to. But it didn’t mean she had to be afraid, it didn’t mean she had to stay. She wanted to see what happened, wanted to learn more about the fae, and, more than anything, wanted to see where this road would take her, as she was tired of being locked in her manor, tired of seeing no possibilities. And she had ironbringing and fire magic, knew how to hunt, and was sure she could get herself out of a tight situation if it ever came to it. “I trust myself.”

Fel sighed, then advanced towards her, hugged her, and kissed her forehead, while slipping something in her hand. “Don’t disappear, sis. And whatever happens, you’ll always be welcome back. If you have any problem, don’t hesitate to call for help. I’ll always be there for you.”

Based on the size and shape, he’d passed her a communication mirror, which she put in the pocket of her dress. She realized that her brother had only pretended to sleep, and had planned to pass her this—and to confront her visitor. Quite shrewd. But his support meant the world. The fact that he was letting her go, even if somewhat grumpy about it, made her feel much lighter and happier. Whatever happened, she’d make sure never to disappoint her brother.

They broke apart, and Fel eyed River. “Treat her well.”

“That has always been my intention,” River said, this time standing by Naia’s suitcase. He turned to her. “I’ll carry this.” Then he turned to Fel. “It was a pleasure to meet you, iron prince.”

“Umbraar prince,” Fel said.

“Umbraar prince,” River repeated. “Trust me that I’ll do everything in my power to make sure your sister is always safe.”

“And you’ll honor and respect her,” Fel added.

“Always.” River nodded.

Fel then crossed his arms. “I’ll let you go, but I hope you are aware that you don’t deserve her.”

River glanced at Naia. “I doubt any man deserves even the ground she walks on, Umbraar prince. At least I know it.”

Fel nodded. Naia wanted to chuckle at the insane exaggeration, but didn’t want to hurt her brother’s feelings, who seemed to think it was a sensible thing to say.

River took Naia’s hand, sending a thrill through her body. In truth, it was the first time they were holding hands, something they should have done before she decided to go with him to his underworld.

Everything around her went dark. So suddenly. She didn’t even get a warning, didn’t even get a chance for one last goodbye to Fel. River’s arms wrapped around her, the only comfort amidst that darkness and nothingness. So much uncertainty. She had no idea where she was going, no idea what would happen, no idea if she had made the right choice—and about to figure it out.

* * *

At first,Naia felt as if she was going to suffocate in darkness, that it was a tangible thing enveloping her, getting tighter and tighter. Even River’s arms got lost in that strange sensation. This was nothing like when the carriage had gone through the portal, which had been dark as well, and felt as if she were falling, but hadn’t felt like this… thing.

If River left her here, she’d certainly die. If there was even anything like death in this place. Perhaps it would be just eternal suffering, being lost in nothingness.

The first hint that she was getting out of this darkness was sensing River’s smell again. Then she felt his presence and leaned closer, afraid of whatever was out there. For a second, she even feared that perhaps he’d brought her here to kill her. Even then, she held tighter; if he tried anything, she’d bring him with her. Plus, she felt safer with him. Incoherent thoughts.

“Naia.” There was a hint of worry in his voice. “We’re here. You can look.”

She hadn’t even realized that her eyes were shut tight. When she opened them, she noticed that she was holding him tight, her head against his chest. She stepped back and felt heat rising to her face, flustered by their sudden proximity. They were standing by a cottage surrounded by a thick forest, much thicker than the forest by her house, made of dense vegetation that would be hard to walk through.

Her suitcase was beside him, which was odd because carrying it now seemed like an impossible feat.

He pointed at the cottage. “This is… our house. For now. Later we can move into something better.”

Our house. The thought had trouble entering her mind, as if it were some strange substance that didn’t belong there, and plus Naia was still rattled by the journey. “What… how did we get here? What was that?”

“The hollow, Naia. I’m sorry, I should have warned you about it.”

“But when crossing the portals between kingdoms, isn’t it the same?”

“Those are old portals. Some say they have dragon magic. The hollow, on the other hand, is like a dark, wild, dangerous forest. Ancients travel through old, carved paths, where the forest no longer intrudes. Some of these paths are wide like roads. That’s the case with your portals.”

“It didn’t feel like a path.”

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