Passing through the portal was strange, like riding a spinning top. Fiona felt a bit dizzy after and Fenrin gently led her to a stone bench.

"Are you okay?" he asked desperately.

"I am. Where are we?"

"Aziron. How did you end up on that boat anyway?"

Fiona closed her eyes and waited for the world to stop whirling for a moment. Once she felt solid again, she opened her eyes, once more was delighted to see Fenrin's gnarled face.

"We escaped. Kiana and I planned everything. We got Father out of the palace and then Kiana smuggled us onto the ship going to Snærheim. I thought we'd have to wait to get a mage there to send a message, but you found us early!"

"Kiana? That the Duskar girl?"

"Yes, she's the only reason we made it out. She helped me so much, I would've gone crazy without her." Her voice cracked. "Oh, Uncle Fen I should have gone with you earlier. You were right, everyone was right. The queen is terrible and she doesn't care about me at all, she hurt dad over and over and then she—"

It all began to spill out and Fenrin held her again. "I know. I know," he murmured.

She pulled away wiping her eyes on her bloody sleeve. "But wait, what are you doing in Aziron?"

Fenrin gave her his wolfish grin. "Would you believe I'm helping lead an army?"

"What?!"

He laughed and helped her up. "I don't know if word reached the capital, but your mother's enemies have gathered together to make a last stand."

"Does that mean—” Fiona's question was interrupted as she heard a familiar cry. She stepped to the side of her uncle and stared.

Kiana was kneeling, her hands bound by glowing light and ice crept up her like fingers holding her in place.

"What are you doing?!" Fiona rushed over but she was blown aside by a gust of wind as a man descended from the sky. His white hair was fluttering in the wind, his milky eyes fixed on Kiana.

"At last I found you," his voice boomed.

Kiana looked up at him, lip trembling but she answered, "You have. Do what you will but send the Iron Queen to join me in hell."

"So be it."

Kiana lowered her head and Fiona watched in dumb disbelief.

Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.

"STOP!" High King of Valhym stepped forward, pulling out of Matius's grip.

The Arch Mage landed on the ground in front of the king, the two blind men staring each other down. "With all due respect, Your Highness, this girl is—"

"I know what she is and what she's done. I respect your search for justice but she also saved me and my daughter's lives. It wasn't by luck you found us and she gave herself up for just the chance that it might lead to our rescue. At the very least, I demand she be given a chance to explain herself."

"You are not in a position to make demands."

"Aren't I? I believe I'm still king yet and besides, you'd rather me an ally than an enemy or you wouldn't have bothered to bring me along."

Fiona stood up from where she'd been knocked over. She moved forward but Fenrin put a heavy hand on her shoulder.

"Let your father handle this," he said in a low voice, "he knows what he's doing."

As the king continued, Fiona watched Kiana, still kneeling in the ice. Her head hung low and Fiona willed her to look up and see her. Instead, she just watched as a bit of blood ran down Kiana's chin and dripped stark red against the ice.

"Do I have your word, Arch Mage, that you will not kill her without explanation?"

"For respect of your crown and her actions today, I will stay my hand," the Arch Mage said finally, the ice melting around Kiana. "Yu'jana take her away."

"Kiana!" Fiona shouted and as Kaina was pulled to her feet she finally glanced over. Her dark eyes were empty but when she saw Fiona something sparked inside and she gave a sad smile. With a snap from the Azir woman, both she and Kiana dissolved into wind and Fiona pulled free from Fenrin.

"Kiana!" She turned to Fenrin, her voice strained. "Why?"

Fenrin rubbed his neck. "I don't know all the details, but your friend, er, Kiana, she's the one who killed the Queen of Aziron. That's how we found you, the Arch Mage has been looking for her for months."

Fiona mouthed something and then shook her hair, blonde hair wiping her face. "No, that's not true. He's wrong. Kiana wouldn't do that. She's just a seamstress from Duskar."

"The queen was killed by her dressmaker."

Backing up Fiona shook her head again. "No! You're lying!"

"He's not."

Fiona turned to her father's voice. He reached out his hand and she took a dazed step forward, taking it. He squeezed it.

"Kiana killed the queen and fled to Valhym. Your mother brought her back with you and ordered her to stay by your side. She told me this herself the night before we left the palace."

Cold numbness washed over Fiona and she tried to forget the words as soon as she heard them but it was no use. Her mother had sent Kiana. It made a sort of sick sense. Kiana was always there when she needed her. Fiona'd always been able to get away with her friend despite all her guards.

How had she not noticed?

"No matter what happens..."

Kiana knew she was going to be found out. She'd tried to run.

Fiona's fingers curled into fists. How much was a lie? How much had been real?

"I love you."

Her fingers fell limp.

"Why...why did she help us? Was it a trick?"

"No," her father said firmly and Fiona looked up at him with hope, "she was prepared to give up her life to help you escape. Of that I am absolutely certain."

Fiona raised a hand to her mouth and sobbed. She'd meant it. She loved Fiona. It was real.

Kiana had defied the queen for her. No one had ever done that before. Not Vai, not Fenrin, not even her father.

There was no way in En or in hell that Fiona was going to let anyone, Arch Mage or not, hurt her.