Page 110 of Iron Hearts and Dragon Magic

22

Impromptu Gathering

Naia swallowed. Going through the hollow still felt uncomfortable. Holding River’s hands usually helped, but this time she couldn’t stop noticing how close his nails were to her skin and wonder what it would take to rip it. The memory of what he’d done to his father insisted on intruding in her mind—as if it would ever fade. Eventually she would need to come to terms with it, come to terms with the idea that sometimes people had to make terrible choices for the greater good—including River.

Leaving Fel didn’t feel right either, but it was true that he would be safe in the mountains, and they would meet again, hopefully with a clearer idea of what path to take.

Naia realized she had her eyes shut and opened them, wanting to see the circles connecting places through the hollow, hoping to learn more about moving through it, but the darkness was already dissipating, being replaced by Fel’s room in the Royal fort.

River had a tight-lipped smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “Here we are.”

He was nervous, that was obvious, even under his sheen of pretend confidence.

“I need to go to my father’s office.” She wanted to check if there had been any messages, and was a little upset that she had spent so long away. “You can wait—”

His horns were disappearing under his glamour. “I’ll come with you.”

Naia didn’t say anything, which he took as encouragement enough, considering he was following her. There was something inappropriate about walking around the fort with this man nobody knew, but then, Naia had already been disowned, so it wasn’t as if anything worse would happen to her. And then, there was nobody in the hallway.

She opened the door and ran to the communication mirror, which was brighter than usual, indicating some recent activity.

Of course. Obviously.

This was the time to make alliances, to attempt to forge a plan with the other kingdoms, and she had squandered it by… sleeping. Sleeping because River had likely siphoned her magic to commit brutal murder. Naia closed her eyes to prevent glaring at him—anger wasn’t going to solve anything.

Naia wondered if she should wait until the next morning to contact someone—but then, it wasn’t that late, and these matters were urgent.

She tried Wolfmark—and was surprised by being seen right away. On the other side of the mirror stood a young counselor.

“Princess Irinaia Umbraar. We’ve been waiting to hear from you.”

“Apologies.” She was going to say she had been busy, but what did it matter? And what explanation did she owe?

The counselor then said, “Wolfmark is hosting an impromptu gathering—without Ironhold, and my king wished you’d come, but it might be too late now.”

No, no, no. This couldn’t be. “When does it start?”

“They’re meeting right now, your highness.”

“Now?”

“Their dinner just ended, and they proceeded to the meeting room.”

River was gesticulating beside her, pointing at something. Naia wasn’t sure if he meant they should go or wait or what, but she turned to the mirror and said, “I’ll try to get to you right away. Thank you. You can sever the communication.”

Naia turned to River. “This is terrible.”

“I can take you there through the hollow.”

“You happen to have a circle there?”

He nodded. “And in many of the kingdoms I visited with the Ironhold delegation.”

Naia’s mind was whirling. “We should tell Leah, tell my brother.”

“I don’t have circles in the mountains, Naia, and we’d better hurry.”

She stopped to think. She had to be presentable for such a meeting, not wearing a ball gown, but at least something nicer. “I need to go to the manor. For clothes.”

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