Page 128 of Frozen Hearts and Death Magic

“And you took it on your own?”

River smirked. “I also have some tricks you know nothing about.”

“You should have taken one of them dragon’s hearts.”

“They’re not dragons, they’re magicians.”

“Whatever. The hearts have powerful magic.”

“Yuck. I’m not taking anyone’s heart.”

Forest sighed. “Pity. But just the staff is great, and will probably seal our victory. I…” He bit his lip, as if thinking. “Let’s forget the past. I say we present it together to our father, to show our union. He’ll be happy.”

“I don’t unite with mass murderers.”

Forest grimaced. “You make no sense. Go alone then. You think our father will believe you?”

“Why wouldn’t he? I can’t lie.”

His brother took a deep breath. “I want to help you, make sure he believes this is the staff.”

River was still too horrified to walk with his brother, but on the other hand, if they were all celebrating, they were all cold and callous and didn’t care. Perhaps many of them could have destroyed a city if they could. Perhaps it was a response to so much suffering, pain, and loss, a numbness that made them monstrous. But if the staff could counter human magic, it was a solution. River had to show it to his father, and his brother’s presence would only help.

River nodded. “You’re right.”

“Let me carry it.” Forest extended his hand.

It felt wrong to give it to him, but then again, if the idea was to make his father care, then he wasn’t going to overthink it.

They walked into the grand hall. River’s father was sitting at the edge of a long table and pretended he didn’t see him.

“Father,” Forest said. “This is the dragon staff. It can be our salvation.”

“Really?”

Forest nodded. “I retrieved it.”

That made no sense. It wasn’t true. How was his brother even saying that?

His father’s eyes widened. “You didn’t!”

“I did. It was taken from Fernick before the awful Umbraar city was destroyed.”

River turned around. He didn’t even want to argue, there was no point. At least the Ancients had a way to win that war, a way that hopefully wouldn’t involve killing countless people.

* * *

Fel stoodon the rampart of the fort, watching the forest, wondering if he was stirring up his people and worrying everyone for no reason. The borders were well guarded and the portals even more. And yet his father had not returned. And Leah… Had been sent back to the eye of the storm—where it was calm, though. But only temporarily.

The more he thought back to the moment she had left, the more he realized he wished he could do it all over again. He didn’t care about his pride, about anything. He’d beg her to stay here, stay safe. Safe. For how long? No, he’d send her away to safety, send her to one of the hidden caves, and at least he would be sure nothing bad happened to her. Now worry and guilt gnawed on his insides. He’d been trying to tell himself that she was happy with her husband, but the excuses sounded weaker and weaker. He’d been trying to believe it had been her choice, but then realized he had never given her an alternative, had never truly asked her to stay, still angry about that stupid note that her mother had probably made her write.

The sound of fast hooves made him turn and go down the steps to the court. A young soldier. Fel walked past the men drawn to the commotion.

“They’re coming,” the young man said. His voice was weak, shaky, and he was visibly exhausted.

“Who? From where?”

He shook his head. “About one, two hundred soldiers. Ironhold. On foot. From the Blue Forest.”

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