Page 90 of Frozen Hearts and Death Magic

18

The Ancient City

Naia still didn’t understand how River always left before she woke up, or how he had brought her to bed. Well, fae were supposed to be stronger than humans, and he had to be. She’d fallen asleep outside, leaning on his chest, as he sang an old, sad song. So much melancholy, but an odd kind of melancholy, like a soothing balm. And that moment, just being close to each other, had felt so good. Naia could get used to this, even used to spending her days alone, as long as she figured out his secrets, as long as it wasn’t anything nefarious.

Sometimes people kept secrets thinking it was for the best, sometimes it wasn’t with ill intent. She hoped to return to that rain-scented embrace, to look into those strangely beautiful red eyes without fear, without worries. That was why she had to know what lay in those woods—or beyond them.

Naia ate some nuts and fruit, thinking she was about to become a squirrel, then she took some paper and ink and wrote herself a note: Going into the forest, ten in the morning. Use your fire magic if you don’t remember this.

Her steps were firm as she walked outside. Twice now her memories had returned when she lit her fire, so she was going to count on her fire magic to help her make it through the enchantment of the woods. If by any chance it didn’t work, she would see her note—and then try again, over and over and over until she broke through the magic messing with her memory.

With a flame in her hand and worry in her heart, she stepped out of the clearing and into the trees. She was still aware of what she was doing, still remembered she had to find out what was in here. The vegetation was thick with undergrowth, and the trees blocked the sun shining above them, so that Naia’s flame was bright and visible in that semi-darkness. There were no sounds of birds or any other animal, which was very strange. Step after step she moved, small branches and leaves cracking under her boots. She felt no enchantment yet, and figured her fire was keeping it at bay, but she didn’t want to quench it and test her theory.

After a few steps, the very air became thicker, and it was hard to walk, as if she had encountered some kind of magical barrier, pushing her back. She increased her flame and pushed through. Then, suddenly, the feeling went away, like when her ears were blocked then unblocked all out of sudden. But what she saw was horrifying.

The trees ahead of her were mangled and dead. She turned, and noticed that everything was also dead behind her. Dead bushes, dead trees, everything dried. Her heart beat faster. It was possible to cross into a land of the dead in the hollow but she didn’t think she had the power to travel there. Unless she had deathbringer magic. Still, the living shouldn’t venture there, lest they become lost.

Naia took a deep breath. She wasn’t going back. Not yet. Not while she still didn’t understand what was in here. And if she was using deathbringer magic, she surely could use it to return.

As she stepped forward, the dead forest was left behind. In its place she found hills with dead vegetation, and a dry bed of a stream, which she decided to follow, so as not to get lost. What was this place? Why was it so dry? So dead?

Gloom settled upon her, with the desire to return to that safe, colorful house surrounded by green grass, where she had watched the stars with River. And yet she had to know what was in here, had to understand what this place meant for him—if it even meant anything.

Beyond the hill, she saw a small building. It almost looked as if it had been made naturally, from tree branches that had bent together forming a circular shelter. Still with fire on her palms, she ran to it, her ears alert for any different sound, for any threat. But there was only silence, desolate silence. She glanced back to make sure that the dead stream and the dead woods were still there, then ran towards the building, her heart racing with dread about what she was going to find.

That place had a wooden door with beautiful carvings of flowers. The handle was also carved wood, and she turned it, expecting it to be locked. Instead, the door moved in, revealing a small, low wooden table beside two pallets. She stepped back when she saw what was on them, or rather, who. An old woman and a child, both white fae, with pale blond hair and short horns. She observed them carefully for any movement of breathing. They didn’t look dead, but they were so still… There was a slight, slow up-and-down movement in the woman’s chest. Perhaps fae breathed more slowly.

Naia closed the door gently, so as to not make any noise, then walked out. All right. So this was a fae settlement, and it made sense, since that was where River had told Naia he’d bring her: to the underworld. Except that it looked as if the clearing was in an isolated part of it. Perhaps he was hiding her. Her fists clenched in anger and she almost let her flame extinguish, but caught herself in time. Imagine if she got lost in this place? Would River even worry? She remembered the previous night. Of course he’d worry. And yet she had that odd bitterness in her mouth.

From where she was, she could see farther down in the valley. There were more small buildings, perhaps houses as well, and, further down, far away, what looked like a gigantic tree surrounded by houses. She took a better look and realized it was not a tree, but a building, a palace. It was just that it was built as if it were a humongous tree trunk with branches.

Naia could return now, knowing what was beyond the woods, knowing what River had wanted to prevent her from seeing, and yet, perhaps she could learn more about this place. She would have to be more careful, as she didn’t know what could happen if a fae saw her. Perhaps that was the reason he hadn’t wanted her to come here: it was dangerous for her. But she could defend herself. As she thought that, she felt the fire magic pulsing within her, like a reminder of her strength. She was going to check that palace, doing the best to avoid being seen, but she was going there.

* * *

River had been searchingthe Iron Citadel and still couldn’t find what he was looking for. Perhaps it wasn’t there. Perhaps it had been a silly assumption. So much uncertainty ahead of him. He wished he could spend more time with Naia. Wished. So many wishes. He wished his cousin had never died.

20 years before

River sat in the ceremony hall by Ciara, his favorite among his siblings. It was funny because she had an identical twin, Anelise, but he didn’t get along as well with her. Both girls had the typical Ancient look, with pale blond hair and burgundy eyes.

The place was empty now, as everyone had left after the cremation ceremony, which had turned into ash what remained of some of their best warriors.

Meanwhile, their Ancient City was taking in refugees from all over Aluria, coming for the safety of the underworld. But this was a small city, and connected to Mount Prime, which was still being destroyed. Nature here wouldn’t survive long with that destruction, and soon there would be no food for anyone, let alone that many fae.

The Ancients’ hopes were dimming.

“What I don’t understand is why,” he said, realizing his voice was strained. “How? How could humans have killed so many of us? They’re so weak.”

“They’re too many.” Ciara stared at the pyre, thoughtful. “But we’ll figure a way to defeat them.” She then turned to River. “You know, they’re so violent and greedy, perhaps we shouldn’t bother fighting them. Instead, we should just let them all destroy each other.” She said it as a joke, but perhaps there could be some truth in it.

But then, given their situation, it wasn’t a feasible idea. “It would take too long. Humans. Sometimes I wish they had never come to Aluria.”

“You’re forgetting we’re part human, River.”

He ran his hand over his head. “Indeed. So hard for me to remember it.” Just his great-grandmother, but it was enough that some of the royal family had dark hair, and enough that River was hornless, which was a first among Ancients.

Ciara took a long, deep breath. “We’ll find a way to win this, I’m sure we will.”

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