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Stupid worry. Wasn’t she planning on going to the Iron Citadel in a few days? And River had powerful magic. He was also faster and stronger than any human. She had to remember that, and then remember how much he had hidden from her, and shut down her worrying heart. Her heart! All River’s. After everything. No wonder her father kept saying that hearts were foolish.
At least she managed to speak to more kingdoms. Haven and Eaglehold already knew about the upcoming gathering and about the attack on Umbraar. Naia told them that the attackers were wearing Ironhold’s uniforms and looked human. The Eaglehold King didn’t seem to believe her.
Haven listened to her carefully. “We’d like to see that, if you don’t mind.”
Naia agreed to have them send three messengers the following day. It was an opportunity for an alliance.
Her head was buzzing, still with that silly worry for River, when the mirror turned blue again.
There was a way to know who was on the other side, but Naia wasn’t good at using this magical object, so she just said, “Open the connection.”
It was the Wolfmark King. “Princess Irinaia, will you grant me the honor of an audience?”
Honor? She wasn’t sure if he was being sarcastic. “Of course.”
“I would like to thank you for the suggestion of having an emergency gathering. It is indeed the wisest course of action.”
“Nothing to thank me for. The suggestion emerged from the discussion, from all of us.” It wasn’t really true, but she wanted him to think she was giving him credit for it. Indeed, she wouldn’t want other kings to think that the idea of the emergency gathering had come from her.
“Your words were wise and well measured, princess.”
“I’m glad you think so.”
He sighed. “I have some questions. You’re saying you were attacked by a group of fae, but that they had Ironhold uniforms?”
“Yes.” Naia needed to be careful here, as this could well be some kind of test, and she had no intention of crossing Ironhold—yet.
He frowned. “Some of the kingdoms don’t believe it.”
“I understand they won’t take my word for it.”
He took a deep breath. “That’s not necessarily the case. It could be… a mistake. Maybe someone in your kingdom is mistaken, perhaps?”
“Mistakes can happen, for sure.” She gave him a polite smile. “It would be quite pretentious to assume we’re above that.”
“Pretentiousness is a fault I don’t believe your highness has. Still, what I mean is… your account is strange.”
Of course it was strange. Her account was ridiculous, but she wasn’t going to say that. “Aren’t these strange, dark times?”
“Even in the most horrible of times, there’s always some kind of logic, princess.”
“What would be the logic of Ironhold attacking us?” To be fair, she hadn’t truly understood it.
“Dangerous words. I didn’t imply that.”
“I don’t know what your highness implied, then.”
He smiled. “There are only questions from my part. No answers. And that is why I’d like to personally visit the fort where this attack happened.”
Another kingdom coming to see the bloodshed. That could be good, but she didn’t trust Wolfmark, and knew her father loathed King Sebastian. But the real problem would be if by any chance something happened to the king on his way. “Your highness. These are dangerous times. Umbraar is not in a position to assure your safety, and if someone assaults you—”
He waved a hand. “With all due respect, I can vouch for my own safety. Are you denying a peaceful visit? It’s within your rights, of course.”
“I would never deny an opportunity to establish close ties between our kingdoms. I’m just saying we cannot guarantee your safety on the way here.”
“That’s a warning, not a threat, right?”
“Of course.”
