Page 99 of Frozen Hearts and Death Magic

“What’s beyond the woods?” There. A direct question.

He stared at her for some long seconds, then he took in a sharp breath, surprised. “Were you there?”

“Why? You think you can read my mind now?”

“No. But you’re not asking as if you truly want to know what’s there, you’re asking it like you’re daring me to say it. Did you go there? To the Ancient City? How?”

“I didn’t know it had a name, but sure, yes, I was in a place with a lot of fae and a city and a palace.”

He got up and put both hands on his head. “You went there? How?”

“What’s the difference?” She wasn’t going to give him his answers that easily. “And if you were so worried, how come you didn’t try to look for me there?”

“Did you see any Ancients? Are they alive? What’s happening there?” His tone was urgent, upset. Could it be that he hadn’t been there? But how?

Naia wanted to tell him everything, but she didn’t want to waste her chance to pry some information from him. “Tell me what you’re doing in Ironhold.”

“Isn’t it obvious? I hate them.” He lost his cool composure and started yelling. “I want every single one of them dead, ideally after a lot of pain and suffering. I want them gone from this land, I want them forsaken, hated, humiliated. That’s what I’m doing!”

It was surprising and even scary to see him enraged like that. And still, she had to keep pushing. “How?” she asked.

“One question for a question, Naia. Are my people alive?”

“Yes. But they’re all asleep. You didn’t know that? You didn’t go there?”

“I can’t. I can’t go there! I don’t know how you did it, but maybe because you’re human, or maybe your iron magic undoes the barrier. I don’t know.”

It wasn’t the iron magic, but for some reason she didn’t want to tell him. He was so angry and agitated.

“River,” her voice was gentle, “I can help you.”

“Naia, can’t you see? I’m one. One. A single one. Against an evil kingdom with freaky magic.”

“You think iron magic is freaky?”

“No. No. Of course not. But they have more magic. They’re…” He closed his eyes, then stared at her, but his expression was hard. “Naia, if you start to think, you’ll put two and two together.”

“I understand you’re upset. Truly. But seriously, you don’t need to do it alone.”

He chuckled and shook his head. “You’re not going anywhere near that forsaken kingdom, you aren’t.”

“My magic is stronger than you think.”

“I don’t care. I want you safe.”

“Imprisoned?”

His eyes were hard. “If that’s what it takes, yes.”

Naia hated the look he gave her, hated what he said, but she decided to ignore it because he was so nervous. “Fel could help you.”

“Fel?” River snorted. “He has a kingdom and his own skin to protect, Naia. And I doubt he cares about the Ancients.”

“Trust me, then. If you don’t want me to fight, I won’t.” That wasn’t true, but she didn’t want to contradict him when he was so agitated. “But tell me what’s happening and what you’re planning.”

River’s eyes were sad, then he hugged her and whispered in her ear. “I do love you, just so you know. But I’m still your people’s enemy.”

That didn’t make sense.

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