Page 56 of Frozen Hearts and Death Magic

Her mother shook her head. “No. I’ll be arranging the details of your wedding, and your presence might be necessary. Get dressed, and I’ll call you when I need you.” She then kissed Leah’s face and smiled. “My beautiful girl. So grown up. You’re my life, my pride, you know?”

At least her mother was happy with Leah’s decision. That made one of them. “I’ll… get ready.”

“And I’ll negotiate a wedding’s terms, then be right back.” Her mother winked, then left.

Leah stared at the door her mother had closed, feeling as if the room was about to swallow her.

* * *

Fel hadto stuff down a host of conflicted feelings as he walked to the emergency meeting. The future of his kingdom, the fate of Aluria, it was all bigger than him, than his sister’s choice, his father’s anger, Leah’s hurtful words. And why was he even mixing Leah with his life?

It felt strange to step into his role as heir before the time was right, to sit in the position that still belonged to his father.

Fel scanned the room as the kings took their places. King Herald, from Ironhold, was already there, but Fel couldn’t see if he was alone or had a prince with him. Not that it mattered. What did matter was whatever he was going to propose, and how he was planning to expand Ironhold’s power. Frostlake’s King Flavio was also there—alone. Fel’s stomach lurched—and surprised him. He had no idea he’d been hoping to see Leah again. Perhaps it was just that he wanted her to see what she was missing, see that even if he wasn’t physically perfect, he was still capable, and could even act as a king. But it was all nonsense. What did Leah even mean to him?

Nothing, nothing, nothing. So much nothingness inside him. And dread for this meeting.

The Vastfield king stared at Fel. “Your father couldn’t grace us with his presence? Too scared?”

Fel ignored the jab and gave him a polite smile. “He had to leave. I deeply apologize.”

Another king, this one from Wolfmark, sneered. “The most important meeting since the war councils, and he’s not here.”

Fel kept his composure. “I know how much you all love him and appreciate his presence.” He made an effort to hide any trace of sarcasm in his voice. “But you’ll have to deal with me today.” There was no holding back the smirk, though.

That seemed enough to quiet down the questions, even if he still got weird glances. But then, they despised his father, so why did they even care? Right. To have an excuse to despise him even more. That said, his father was a strong voice opposing Ironhold, and Fel doubted his own voice could carry the same power. Naia, Naia, why had she left today? Now Fel was here, trying to hold it all together, having to be careful and wise despite everything around him—and inside him—falling apart.

The Frostlake King opened the meeting by mentioning the attack from the previous night, then urging the other kings to choose wisely how to react in these extraordinary circumstances. The Wildspring and Zarana kings complained that perhaps Frostlake hadn’t cared enough for the security of the gathering, but then Ironhold’s king shut them down, defending Frostlake. His defense was a little too impassioned, though, as if he were great friends with their king. They were close allies, as far as he knew, and maybe even friends. Still, Fel felt queasy about it.

King Herald repeated Ironhold’s proposal to send part of their army to each of the ten other kingdoms. He claimed it was to help Aluria prepare against the threat of the fae, then asked for a vote. With this, Fel didn’t agree.

“No vote,” he said, as the kings looked at him with wide eyes, perhaps wondering how come he had dared to speak. “This matter is up to each kingdom. From Umbraar, we deeply appreciate the friendship and support offered by Ironhold, and hope it will lead to fruitful alliances and opportunities, but we trust our own forces.”

Someone sniggered, and he wished he could see if it was the Vastfield or Haven king.

King Herold stared at Fel for a moment, then looked at him as if in pity. “You’ll be the first ones attacked by the fae, then. And if they take your kingdom, we’ll have to protect the rest of the land.”

Fel smiled. “Well said: if. We’ll communicate with our dear allies, and tell you about any threat coming our way. If it comes.” If. Fel knew that the fae were back. And yet, with Naia aligned with one of them, it was so much more complicated. And still, so far he feared Ironhold more than the fae. Perhaps he was wrong, but he didn’t want them in his kingdom and knew that his father had the same opinion.

King Herald had his arms crossed and still looked at Fel as if he were a dirty spot on the wall. “There’s no if. The fae are here.”

Fel nodded. “And we’ll fight them when the need comes.”

Then they all lost interest in Fel, as each kingdom agreed to receive Ironhold’s forces. It was strange. Fel knew that many of them didn’t enjoy the idea of having part of a potential enemy army within their borders, but perhaps they were truly afraid of the fae. Or else they didn’t want to defy Ironhold, who now had claws all over Aluria. Except for Umbraar, who stood alone, more isolated than ever. Everything about these agreements made Fel’s hair stand on end.

Perhaps it was true that Ironhold only wanted to protect their land from the Fae, but it was also true that they were amassing incredible power, and power was inebriating: people who had it ended up wanting more and more. Fel hoped that they would ignore his kingdom, since it was mostly rural and didn’t have precious metals or any other riches. Before the fae war, Umbraar had been prosperous, but now its relative poverty could perhaps keep them safe. Hopefully.

But then there were other nefarious possibilities. Ironhold could want to make an example out of Umbraar, to prevent anyone else from defying them. Fel had better prepare for the worst.

* * *

As Leah satat the breakfast table with her maid Siana, she glanced at the clock often, but it looked as if it were stuck. Time seemed to slow down, or perhaps it couldn’t keep up with Leah’s anxiety, waiting for what her mother would say.

Yesmight have been the right answer, but it didn’t mean her mind—and heart—had accepted Venard for her future. It was a matter of time, of course. And yet, her mother was negotiating her wedding right now, and it meant Leah would be married in a few months, a year at most.

So soon.

So sudden.

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