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Fel’s uncle paused. “Perhaps. There will be a celebration tonight. For the Iron Dragon. I wanted to keep it quiet, but some of the leaders insisted.”
Siniari laughed. “You think something like that can be kept quiet? You hide it, it’s even worse. The hush-hush and gossip will spread misinformation like seeds in the wind. And we need some fun. And hope.”
Ekateni exhaled. “We do need that, and we could certainly use some hope. Can I trust you that you’re going to take care of him, or are you going to go somewhere without backup, without informing anyone?”
“I think I learned my lesson.” Siniari looked down. “We could all have died today. I almost saw my best friend die, I almost sawyoudie.” He stared at his father. “I’ve been properly reminded of how dangerous the Boundless are.”
“Good. I hope you’ll keep in mind the importance of our rules.”
“No question about it,” Siniari said.
Fel’s uncle then looked at the three of them slowly, perhaps considering something, then said, “Well, then. I’ll see you later. Get ready for a celebration. We do deserve it. If you have any problem, call me, and I’ll arrange other accommodations.” He swapped his form and flew away. Fel watched his uncle in awe, hoping one day he would be able to do that as well, to pick the form most convenient for each occasion.
“Come.” His cousin was smiling and sounded excited. “I can’t wait for you to see my house. And for the party!”
Fel noticed that Leah was still serious, thoughtful. He needed desperately to spend time alone with her and understand why she had asked him to hide his magic. She wouldn’t have said it if it wasn’t important. Now, the truth about his ironbringing was out. Not only that, the dragons were planning on drawing as much attention as possible to it.
Fel’s hope was that both Leah and Tzaria were wrong, that perhaps they had been worried for no reason. What were the odds?
17
Mind Games
Naia found it strange. River had told her to stay with him, and now he was leaving like that?
Alone with his sister, she was unsure what to say. Perhaps the best idea would be to go straight to the reason she had come.
“We need to come up with a solution for your city.”
The fae was staring at her with those strange, dark red eyes. “Do you love him?”
The change of subject was startling, but Naia decided to answer truly. “I think so.” It was odd to voice that feeling so clearly, something she hadn’t admitted to herself yet, but it was what she felt was true.
“You’re also an ironbringer.”
Naia wasn’t sure if she heard a hint of accusation in her tone, or if she was imagining it. “I never met my mother, and I think the Ironholds killed her. I hate them. They’re also… They’re in conflict with other humans. We might have a war upon us. Please don’t think I have anything to do with Ironhold.”
“Just your magic. It’s very dangerous to us.” She pointed to a sofa. “Sit.”
Naia did so, and River’s sister followed. She was very graceful with a white and golden tunic, matching her super long, flowing silvery-white hair. The girl had a strange yet captivating beauty. River, with his horns and reddish eyes, looked almost human in comparison to her.
The fae then asked, “How come your magic doesn’t affect him?”
“It did. The first time we kissed. Now he’s immune to iron.” Naia wasn’t sure if it was something she should tell, but if River had left her there, it was because he trusted his sister.
“You haven’t married yet, in human terms.”
“Not yet.”
“So you haven’t been together—physically—like a couple.”
This was getting oddly personal, but Naia thought it wouldn’t hurt to answer. “No.”
The conversation then only got odder, as Anelise went on to explain to her about what a couple did. Naia was glad to learn that, but she wished it had been with someone she trusted, not with a stranger. But then, perhaps strange would have been to hear it from her father or brother. The fae explained that human women could get pregnant very easily, unlike Ancients, who could get pregnant only once a year.
“There’s a tea,” Anelise said. “Ourlisium.”
“The one for stomachache?”
