Page 52 of Frozen Hearts and Death Magic

He shook his head. “Because it wasn’t. I learned how to walk through the hollow. I mean, I traced my own paths, but they’re not wide.”

“Like a deathbringer?’

“I would think they have an easier time crossing the hollow, or perhaps they have an easier time finding the paths that are there. I do not know.”

“My father says it’s dangerous to cross. As a deathbringer. That he can’t bring anyone else with him or they might get lost.” Funny that she hadn’t considered this.

River thought for a moment. “If they get in the wild, I can see how it’s dangerous. They have the skills to cross, but the other person doesn’t…”

Skills to cross… A horrible thought struck Naia. “So I can’t leave?” Perhaps she should have known that she would be stuck wherever he brought her, and yet the idea still caused her some discomfort—and loneliness. “And where are your people?”

“You can leave with me, Naia. You’re not a prisoner. As to my people, they’re…” His hesitation was short, but quite clear. “Here and there.”

Naia had been imagining something different, like seeing more of the fae underworld, learning more about them. She swallowed. “Will we meet them?”

“Eventually. Not yet. Come. I’m sure you want to get settled.”

Naia followed him, and had to agree that the place was charming. Walls and ceiling were polished wood, with a small kitchen and even a living room with couches, many pillows on the floor, and shelves with some books. Then there was a set of stairs to a mezzanine. Quilts of different colors were thrown over the sofas, bringing happiness and warmth to that place.

He looked at her. “It’s temporary, Naia.”

“I like it.”

A smile lit up his face. “You do? I tried to make it look a little like your house, except that I couldn’t help but adding some color. Come, I’ll show you what we have.”

In the kitchen, he opened many cupboards, showing flour, vegetables, bread, marmalades. There was even a special cupboard with eggs and some meat, in the bottom of the kitchen, carved within a stone.

She wasn’t paying attention to the food supplies, as her heart was beating too fast for her to focus on anything. What happened now? Would they kiss? Would they more-than-kiss? But they weren’t married yet.

He fiddled with a jar on the counter, then looked at her. “I’ll make you something to eat, then I have to go.”

“Go?”

“I’m still on my mission, getting to know the Ironholds. I can’t just disappear, and I can’t give up what I’m doing.”

“So you’ll leave me here alone?”

“I’ll be back. I’ll always be back.”

“You didn’t have to bring me here. We could have waited until you finish whatever you’re doing. Or you could have brought me somewhere where there are more of your people.”

“No, Naia. You have to understand, I want to keep you safe, and there’s no place safer than here.”

“Maybe you are hiding me, then you’ll go and marry someone else.”

He raised his hands, showing his palms. “We’ll wait to marry. We’ll wait for everything. Meanwhile, you’re safe, and we can get to know each other. I’ll get you something to eat. What do you want?”

“I’m not hungry, and I’m perfectly capable of caring for myself. I can even hunt.”

He looked down. “There isn’t much in the forest here, and I suggest you don’t try to go there. But I’ll make sure our kitchen is always full.”

“What am I supposed to do during the whole day?”

He shrugged. “I don’t know. Royals spend their days doing nothing, don’t they?”

“No. I trained with my brother, I went hunting, I explored the forest, I had animal companions. I never spent my days sitting down, doing nothing, with nobody to talk to.”

There was a hint of hurt in his reddish-brown eyes, and he blinked. “Naia, what were you expecting?”

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