Page 60 of Frozen Hearts and Death Magic

“Well, aren’t you glad Naia isn’t marrying someone aligned to Ironhold?” He felt a jab of pain then, thinking of Leah talking to that prince, but she was not his to care for. And yet, he felt uneasy.

His father snorted. “You think that Fae will marry her? And what’s going to happen when they attack us? Also, maybe it was him behind the attack in the castle.”

“If she’s there, maybe they can be our allies.” Fel said it half joking, but now was thinking that perhaps there could be some truth to it. “Ironhold is going to send their army to each and every kingdom in Aluria, except us. I doubt they’re happy with Umbraar defying them. I wouldn’t put it past them to make an example out of us, then blame the fae. Either they’re really expecting the fae to attack, or they’re planning something.”

“So what?” His father chuckled. “You hope your sister will make them spare us?”

“I don’t know.” Fel had no idea if River was aligned with the others and what his deal was with Naia. He didn’t even know if she had any influence over him.

His father rolled his eyes. “Nobody knows anything.”

Maybe. But they had to do something. “I’ll go to the Royal Fort. I might even sleep there. Make sure our new weapons are metal proof, make sure we’re ready. Are you coming?”

His father waved a hand. “It’s my reverse celebration day. Leave me.”

“Fair. But the kingdom needs you. “

“I know. It’s a day. Not a lifetime. I swore never to drink again because of my children. I still have you.”

For some reason, his words touched him. Fel approached the back of his chair, wrapped his arms around him, and kissed his cheek. “Thank you. For making sure I lived, for teaching me so many things. I appreciate it very much.”

Perhaps the gesture surprised his father, who stiffened and grunted.

Fel broke the hug, then went to the stable to get his horse. His father was not perfect, but he did love him and Naia. Even Naia. Perhaps his words had been cruel now, but if he had left her alone, it meant he also respected her choices. Fel wished his sister had been more open with both of them. Perhaps then this situation could have been avoided.

He also wondered what had happened to his father to make him so bitter, jaded. It was a question Fel had been asking himself lately, and he wished he could find out more, and understand where his mother fit in all that. Even the drinking was strange. He had not known that his father had stopped drinking when they were born. That meant he’d been drinking before, and if his mother was in Ironhold, they’d been separated. But was it because he hadn’t known where she was? Or had something happened? Sometimes Fel thought that the past had the keys to unlock the present, except that they were lost somewhere.

He dressed his horse, his thoughts now focused on Ironhold and whatever threat they could pose to Umbraar. Or was he being paranoid? No, he had a queasy feeling about all that, and they’d better be ready. That was why he wanted to rush to the fort.

But then, once he was on his way, another thought wouldn’t leave his mind: Leah. He kept remembering Leah with the Ironhold prince, and felt as if he were suffocating. Then he mulled over her note. Those were not her words. If there was one thing that had impressed him about Leah was how natural she was about his metal hands. She hadn’t shown any shock or surprise, and didn’t seem to mind them.

Then Fel thought about her mother, the way she’d treated him, as if she doubted Leah would accept his proposal. She could have forced Leah to write that horrible note. Yes, Leah should have refused it, but maybe she didn’t have the will or strength to defy her mother. But did he want someone who wouldn’t stand up for him? Who’d shame him to please her mother? But then, it wasn’t easy to defy a parent, and Fel knew that.

These thoughts kept circling in his head, and he decided that he should have talked to Leah to understand the situation. The only reason he hadn’t done so was because of his hurt pride. But what was pride compared to his heart? Was he going to become bitter and cold-hearted like his father? Fel changed his course. He was going back to Frostlake. Perhaps it was better to hurt his pride, to face shame, than to keep on wondering. He was going to talk to Leah.

* * *

Leah feltas if she wasn’t in her body anymore, but was watching herself as things happened to her. She didn’t know if she agreed with her mother’s reasons for speeding the marriage so much, but oh, she had tons of them. The Ironholds wanted her to visit their kingdom, but no way she was traveling with a young man without being married. These were difficult times, and it was better to consolidate a strong alliance. It didn’t matter anyway; marriage was not about choosing, but about honoring the choice made.

But then, it was true that if it had been decided, it had been decided. Postponing it wouldn’t change anything. Leah had also dreamed about a nicer wedding, with more people, a special dress… But even that they said she’d get in Ironhold, that they would have a second celebration there.

If she spoke to her father, asked him to delay the wedding, she thought he would listen to her, but she didn’t want to be an immature girl and ruin an important alliance right when things were about to get difficult. And yet her heart heard none of the arguments. The heart she was supposed to ignore. That heart that screamed Fel like a spoiled child who didn’t want to part with her toy.

And that was how she found herself walking to the rose garden, the same garden where Kasim had told her she couldn’t have Isofel. And that was her biggest problem, wanting someone who didn’t want her. Waiting to get married wasn’t going to solve anything.

Since most of the visiting families had already left, there weren’t that many guests. Well, it wasn’t too bad. The Wolfmark and Haven families were there, as well as her mother’s family from Greenstone, then the visitors from Zarana. Leah wondered if they were all repurposing the outfits that should have been worn at the second ball.

Leah could barely breathe, as her heart punched her chest in protest for this wedding. But she knew it wouldn’t be that bad. It was all a matter of getting along with her husband, and he was amicable, so there was no reason they couldn’t be friends.

Her father took her arm. “I’m sorry this is so rushed.”

Leah shook her head. “No matter.” And it was true. Nothing mattered.

And maybe she was just overreacting. Maybe she had been influenced by some unrealistic, lofty romantic ideals, and if she kept hoping for that, she would ruin her true happiness. She walked with her father through a path in the garden. The guests were sitting in a semi-circle around a pulpit where the Master was going to officiate the ceremony.

Then she felt something with the wind. The smell of magic. Fel’s magic. And perhaps she was imagining things, since his family wasn’t among the guests. No, he was there, he had to be. Leah looked and saw someone on a horse, far away, behind the circle of guards protecting the garden. Fel? Or an illusion? Stupid, stupid Leah. He’d been very clear that he didn’t want her anymore. And then the horse and the scent were gone from the garden, but not from her mind.

Leah took Venard’s arm and wanted to give him a smile, but her mouth had such a bitter taste that she feared she’d grimace. At least he didn’t seem to notice. The Master’s words flew by, as she tried to forget that bitterness. The day had been so rushed, she had barely eaten anything savory, except for some rice cakes. Fried, greasy. And then too many pastries instead of real food. That one with the orange feeling had tasted great, but now its pieces were dancing in her stomach. Not dancing. They had formed a mob, about to attack or destroy something, as if somehow they had taken the heart’s side and wanted to punish Leah. She took deep breaths, hoping that her stomach would quiet down, that the pieces would remain where they should, but eventually, they won—and came out on her dress and shoes.

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