Page 120 of Frozen Hearts and Death Magic

The fae rolled his eyes. “Think hard and deep about it, and I’m sure you’ll figure it out. Now, you look depleted of your magic, so rest. Don’t try anything or it might kill you.”

“Necromancy can’t kill anyone.” She then realized the nonsense she had just said. “I mean…”

“Look, I won’t pretend to be a scholar on human magic, but you seem about to pass out, so rest.” He frowned, looking at her. “Are you sure you’re a necromancer?”

Again that question. “Why?”

He shrugged. “Nothing. I’m obviously not an expert on human magic, so nevermind. I’ll be back tomorrow, then take you somewhere safe.”

“Why not tonight?”

He rolled his eyes again. They were not brown, like she had thought at first, but dark red. “As I’ve told you, you need to rest. Just don’t open the door, no matter what happens, and don’t let anyone hear you.”

She was going to be locked up again, having to trust a fae, of all people. But it was better than being in that hall with nowhere to go. There was just one issue. “What if I need to pee?”

He shrugged and looked around, then pointed to a vase. “There.”

“That’s disgusting.”

“Then keep it in. I don’t care.”

With that, he disappeared. Great. Now she was making alliances with Fae. No, Isofel was making alliances with them. But why? And why would he ask him to save her? Of course she wanted to think that it was because he cared about her, but she didn’t want to deceive herself anymore. And it still didn’t answer how come Fel knew him.

Her thoughts then turned to the moments before she’d been rescued. What had happened back there? She’d killed Cassius and a number of guards. Not only killed them, but felt an immense glee, an immense satisfaction in doing it. Now all that was left was regret and emptiness. It was true that she had been angry. But there had been something more, as if death itself had been calling to her, or maybe something else, something sinister, dark, powerful—and terrifying. It was something that had a will, something sentient. Or had it been just her?

This was so strange, so unlike everything her father had taught her. Her father. Leah closed her eyes, remembering Venard’s threats. How soon would Ironhold strike? Would they strike? She should have asked that fae to take her to Frostlake. She had to warn her parents, tell them that there could be ironbringers in the Ironhold committee, tell them to be careful. Then she remembered that the Umbraar king was going to Frostlake. Strange that he was worried about her mother. As far as Leah knew, she hated him. Odd.

So much that made no sense. Now she had to figure out what was happening to her magic, and find a way to reach her parents. That was one and the same. If she went home, her father would help her understand her magic—and she would be safe. The issue was getting there. Still, her main feeling was relief, relief at escaping Cassius, and also horror at what had almost happened. The problem was that her actions likely caused a bigger conflict, and she would need to be ready for it.

But she was tired. Exhausted, to be more precise. She lay on a sofa and then felt weariness settling in. As her body relaxed, her thoughts stopped spinning in her mind. And still she worried about Frostlake and her parents. Ironhold would likely strike in retaliation. But something didn’t add up. There was something… She recalled what Cassius had almost done, without the slightest fear of repercussion, recalled the way they had been treating her, even hurting her. So many times she had wondered why they thought they could get away with it, and now the obvious answer struck her like a dagger in the chest.

Ironhold had never planned for her to meet her parents again. They wanted to control her, and then control her kingdom. Returning to Frostlake wasn’t going to grant her the freedom she wanted. Either Ironhold had already struck, or they were about to strike. That truth settled in with a bitter taste in her mouth. It made sense and was obvious—but horrific as well. She had to go there right now, she had to. But how?

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