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River swallowed. “He wanted to kill Naia. I… It’s not what I would have wished to happen.” He had a bitter chuckle. “And here we are. The advantage is that if we need, we can count on the Ancients as allies. We want to defeat Ironhold as well.”
Wefor River meant both the Ancients and… Him and Naia? Everyone who opposed Ironhold? She didn’t ask him, but proceeded to tell her brother some of what she’d seen in the Ancient City, how it was all dead, then the meeting with the other kingdoms, the upcoming emergency gathering, and the visit from the Wolfmark King, without mentioning his odd proposal. River didn’t let that slide, though, and had an amused smile at the mention of King Sebastian.
Leah then told them about going to Ironhold, that she remained mostly in her bedroom, and never saw the king and queen.
Fel asked, “Why?” So it was new to him as well.
The girl took a deep breath, closed her eyes, then said, “I was a prisoner, all right? I couldn’t come and go, I couldn’t do anything. They are horrible.”
Fel said, “I can smash that castle, Leah.” His voice was gentle, as if consoling her, but also threatening. He definitely meant to destroy the Iron Citadel.
Naia raised a hand. “We’ll wait and plan what to do with them.” She feared her brother would fly there at that very moment and demolish that dreadful castle, and they still had a gathering to attend.
Leah nodded. “Agreed. Hot heads won’t help us now.”
Fel blew a small flame in the air. “Can’t help it.”
At least they all chuckled, despite the gloomy revelations. Leah then continued, telling them about slipping into the hollow by accident and ending up in Umbraar—in Fel’s room, who immediately realized what was happening and spoke to his father, who took her back to Ironhold.
That made no sense. “Why would you go back there?”
Leah’s voice was laced with pain. “I feared they could retaliate against my parents if I disappeared. I was wrong. They had already attacked.”
Fel then said, “That’s where our father, uh, I mean, King Azir went.”
Naia almost reminded him that Azir was still their father, but then she glanced at Leah and realized how complicated this story was for the two of them. And there were more important issues. “If he’s in Frostlake, we have to rescue him.”
“I went there,” Leah said. “Nobody knows where my mother is and I guess they’re together. They… someone told me she died, but I don’t think it’s true. I believe he went into the hollow with her.”
“And got lost.” The words popped out of Naia’s mouth. It was the only explanation that made sense.
“Maybe,” the girl said. “We have to hope they’ll be able to find their way out.”
21
Cynon’s Magic
Fel was not surprised that his sister could hear him, but found it odd that the fae could also hear his voice. Regardless, it made it easier for them to talk. And then, River held Naia’s hand and looked at her with so much tenderness that perhaps it made sense that he could also hear Fel. But there was so much to do.
Leah’s tale was surprising, about hearing a strange voice looking forthe iron dragon,then finding a fae lost in the hollow telling her about a creature called The Breaker, who had been conquering realms. It explained why she had told him to hide his magic.
River frowned. “You think it’s the same voice as the one I heard?” Fel had the same curiosity.
“Seems like it, doesn’t it?” Leah replied.
She then told them that Iona, the fae she had met in the hollow, helped her close her mind to that strange voice, then asked her to let the creatures from that realm lose.
“Wait, wait.” River seemed confused. “You’re telling me that a fae taught you something just to be nice? Without a deal? Thenaskedyou something without proposing anything in return?”
“Wehada deal,” Leah said. “For me to stay and listen to her. I didn’t trust her at first.”
River rolled his eyes. “Incredible.”
Leah clicked her tongue. “Maybe… maybe it has to do with magic. Maybe she couldn’t make a deal for me to open up that realm; she had to convince me. But then… I feared for Fel. Since I didn’t think that voice would see me anymore, I decided to find him, and came to Fernick. Now, I’m sure he can tell you about it better than me.”
Naia stared at Leah wide-eyed. “You can go to Fernick through the hollow?”
Leah shook her head. “I can find Fel, no matter where he is. If he’s there, I can find him, but I don’t think I’d be able to go to Fernick now, for example.”
