Page 113 of Iron Hearts and Dragon Magic

“A prison?” Naia asked. “They have ironbringers in their midst. They could escape.”

River put a hand on Naia’s shoulder. “We’re leaving. And I suggest you do the same. Evacuate the castle as well.”

Sebastian got up, his face red. “So you came here to create panic?”

Naia stood in front of River. “He’s telling the truth. Listen to him.”

She felt River’s gloved hand grabbing hers.

He told the kings, “I’m just warning you. Sharing information freely is a gift, not a threat.” Oh, River, why was he speaking like a fae?

Darkness surrounded them before she even had the chance to tell him anything, and she asked, “Do you think they believed you?”

“Not really.” He was too calm.

“Is it true? That the room might explode? Then they’re going to die.”

“They were warned. I can’t control their choices.”

“Why didn’t you tell me? That this could happen?”

“I…” There was confusion in his reddish-brown eyes, the glamour all gone. “Maybe I didn’t recall. There were things I couldn’t tell you. I couldn’t tell anyone.”

It made sense. Perhaps when River had traveled with Ironhold, he might have seen them placing the contraptions, might even have agreed to create illusions in case these things were used. She would need to ask him to tell her everything he knew, every little thing. Sometimes one detail could make a difference.

He then looked around. “We can talk about it later. I’d rather not spend more time here than necessary.” His voice was strained, tense.

Something about it felt wrong, even if she obviously knew that the hollow was no place to have long conversations. Naia buried her questions and worries, waiting for when they reached Umbraar.

But when the darkness dissipated, she found herself with River in a room she didn’t know. It looked like a storage room with empty wooden shelves and jars, with stone walls and a metal door, but this wasn’t in any place she’d ever been to.

“Where are we?”

His jaw was set. “We’d better get this over with.”

* * *

Something was wrong,but all River could think was that he had to act fast, act before something happened, even if he wasn’t sure what it was.

“Where are we?” Naia asked.

“The Iron Citadel.” He didn’t love the idea of bringing her with him, but he didn’t want to leave her behind either, and had to deal with dueling feelings, dueling fears. Something horrible was either happening or about to happen, and, having no means to prevent it, at least he was trying to do the best to keep Naia safe.

She took a deep breath, then whispered, “I should have noticed it. So much iron. Even the air… But why—”

“If Cassius is the vessel, we’d better do something. Soon. Waiting won’t fix anything.” That was his reasoning, and why he’d rushed here, hating to have to kill again. But then, considering Cassius should be dead, did it even count? “We can plan the rest later.”

She nodded, understanding in her eyes.

He then added, “If you hold my hand, I’ll glamour you.” She seemed confused, and he added, “Not to be seen.”

He slipped into the hollow just enough to see and feel more of the castle, then went to the area where the royal quarters were. He knew well where each member of the family resided, but wasn’t sure if the crown prince would be in his quarters or undergoing some other strange ritual.

Cassius was in his room, though, lying in bed, his grandmother sitting beside him. They didn’t notice either him or Naia, not that the prince was in any condition to notice anything.

The first feeling that came over River was pity, pity at seeing that once proud prince lying like that. He was resting on many pillows, so that he was almost sitting, but his eyes were glassy. It was as if there was life in him, but at the same time there wasn’t…

Lady Celia held one of Cassius’ hands. “Wake up sweet boy, wake up. I’ll get you orange cake and we’ll travel to a lake. Remember that song?” She started singing. “Her heart was sad and broken and gone. Her life was all alone. And then the sweet little boy came to make her smile again. With laughter, grace and even farce, he brought her back to life. Sweet little boy with the smile that never dies…”

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