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“True. What about Formosa? Do you think it was them as well?”
“Look at it this way: no magic can break rock. No Ancient magic, at least. Who has the weapons that could have collapsed that cliff?”
“So you’re sure? Not even River was absolutely certain about it.”
“Was he right in the head, though? The proof of whatever happened is in the Fernick ruins, not in the Iron Citadel.” A light chuckle. “What was he expecting to find? A written account of how they did it?”
That was true. “Well, he was already being manipulated, having his mind poisoned, when he went to Ironhold.” Naia shook her head, still in disbelief of how much she hadn’t noticed. “Before you judge me, let me state that I tried to confront him about the reason he’d been going to Ironhold, tried to ask him about hisgreat plan.”
“You got yourself in a dangerous position.”
It didn’t feel like it. “No. If anything, he tried to spare me, tried to keep me away from the conflict, tried to protect me. Perhaps deep down he sensed something, even if he wasn’t aware of it. Even now, I’m sure there’s a part of him still in control. The question is how to get him back.”
Anelise stared at the objects, then back at Naia. “The answer might be in your connection. You’ve made him immune to iron, he must have passed on some of his magic to you. Usually this intermingling of magic only happens with more intimacy, but a kiss seems to have been enough in your case.”
“What are you suggesting?”
“I’m not suggesting. I’m trying to think. And I don’t know what to do either.”
Naia took a deep breath. “We know he’s a mindmelder and that magic works only here. I need to open this city, and I think I can. Do you think we can send your warriors away? River won’t be able to control them if they’re not here.”
“It would make us vulnerable. And even outside the city, they’d still be sworn to our king. That said, if you can open a passage, it will be helpful. Our city still needs to survive.”
“I can do that.” Perhaps this was the answer; focusing on what shecoulddo, focusing on now, focusing on the matters in front of her. And yet… “What about River? Do you have any advice? Any…” Anything, anything. Naia would grasp onto a sliver of a chance of saving him.
“Your hearts are connected. Trust yours. Trust that your answer is brewing somewhere. Ideas are like wine, they need to ferment in our minds.”
“I don’t know if I’ll have time for that.”
“Of course you don’t know much. That’s the whole point of trusting.”
Trust her heart? That same silly, oblivious heart that had shushed her voice telling her there was something wrong with River?
They were all doomed.
* * *
Leah stepped into darkness,her heart beating fast, a cold chill all over her body. She had never imagined that something so awful could happen in her city, in her naive illusion that the Ironhold invasion had been the worst that could happen to her kingdom. The sight of dreadful creatures inside her dome was breaking her heart.
Those were the same creatures she had called once, except that they were much more numerous now, and a permanent passage was being built in Frostlake. Her heart tightened thinking about everyone in the castle, in the houses in the city, wondering if they were safe, if they had been able to go to the shelters. The city had been left defenseless, considering their army had been sent away—probably not by coincidence.
The creatures were from the fourth realm, according to Tzaria, which matched Iona’s account as well. Odd that Leah had once connected with these creatures enough to call them to this world, and yet it had felt different at that time. This felt a lot more permanent, more real.
And that was why Leah had to get help, and quickly. Why hadn’t she done this earlier? Maybe because she hadn’t thought it through, hadn’t realized it would come to this point.
She found herself in that desolate landscape where she had met the mysterious white fae. This time Leah was not in the path among mountains, but near that tree under which she had spent time learning to close her mind, getting some skills to even walk in the hollow—until she left. It had been Fel in danger that had pulled her away. He was in danger again, but the answer was not to go to him, but to bring help.
Leah went to the tree and yet this time she could not find the entrance to it. It was likely enchanted to keep intruders away. She was about to call the fae, when a rustle of leaves behind her made her turn.
Iona stood there, those eerie, dark pink eyes staring at her. “I can see you considered my proposal.”
Leah nodded. “Can you control them? Once they’re in Aluria?”
“They have their own minds—but a deal with an Ancient is binding.”
“I want them to help us defeat Cynon. They can remain in Aluria, in the islands, but—”
She was going to say that she didn’t want them to attack humans or fae, that she wanted some kind of guarantee, but then she tasted something bitter and felt as if she were falling into a dark abyss. It was that odd feeling that something was calling her away, almost like being pulled. Fel was likely in danger, but rushing back to him empty-handed would only make things worse. Still, her body was feeling cold all over, a dreadful chill from her feet to her scalp.
