Page 86 of Frozen Hearts and Death Magic

This was a good reminder. But why? “You want me to trust you even less?”

His illusion disappeared, and he bit his lip. “I want you to know more of who I am.” A corner of his lips lifted. “And show off, even though I’m tremendously outmatched here.”

Naia rolled her eyes. “Insanely outmatched. I’m so much more powerful than you.”

“With fire, absolutely.” He took her hand, and her heart leaped, while at the same time that touch felt comforting and familiar as if she’d always known it. Then he led her inside the house. “You know what I was thinking? A picnic.”

“In the woods?” She smiled and managed not to show any reaction.

“Oh, no, they’re dark. Instead, we’ll sit by the house and watch the stars. I’m not really into being indoors, you know?” He was then in the kitchen, opening a cupboard and some jars. “Are you up for it?”

“Sure. How do you know the forest is dark? Have you been there?”

He chuckled. “C’mon. It doesn’t take a genius. One glance and you’ll see that it’s already pitch black.”

“We could light some candles.”

He was putting some nuts and fruit on a tablecloth. “Then we’ll miss the stars.” He paused, turned to her, and smiled.

Naia was starting to think that his smile had some magic, because when he looked at her like that, she wanted to forget her doubts, forget the woods, forget that there was some strange magic affecting her memory. It was as if all that mattered was him. That was a strange and scary feeling.

“Is this good?” he pointed at the food he had gathered, his brows furrowed, some slight apprehension on his face as he expected her reply.

Seeds, fruit, and nuts. They were going to eat like birds—or fae. But she wasn’t that hungry, considering that the second time she’d returned from the woods, she had made lunch. And it all looked tasty. “Of course.”

Soon they were sitting outside, and Naia was nibbling on some grapes, while he was having hefty portions of seeds and nuts. She wondered where he had gotten all that stuff, but she had more important things to ask first.

“I really like hunting, you know?” she said. “In Umbraar, I always brought something for us to eat, from wild pigs to some large rodents.”

River’s eyes were bright. “I know. Hunter princess. It sounds… exciting.” He was either totally missing the point or just pretending to do so.

“I miss hunting. I doubt these woods are so terrible, and if—”

“There’s nothing there for you to hunt, Naia. If you need anything, just ask me.”

“I’m going to be bored at home!”

“I know. But there are books, and you could practice some magic—”

“How do you know there’s nothing in those woods? Have you been there?”

He shrugged. “They’re too thick.”

“Perhaps I could go and check what’s there.”

He paused. “I guess. Did you try to go there?”

“Not that I recall.” The words had been chosen carefully, and she observed his expression attentively, but he gave nothing away.

“Well, this is not like your Umbraar woods, I’m sorry.”

She decided to be more forward with her question. “Is there any magic in this forest?”

“All forests have magic, Naia, it’s why they can be so fascinating, why you can go there and sometimes never want to go back.”

River was a master at giving non-answers, but she noticed that his reply was not a no. She pressed forward again. “You told me not to go there.”

“Well, it’s closed, dark, and doesn’t have wild pigs. I don’t think you’d like it.” His reddish eyes were on her. “Naia, I know this is not ideal. There are books inside, but I understand this is not like the life you had. This… is not forever. Think about this place as a safe harbor in turbulent times.”

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