“That’s hardly practical, and you know it.” The Iron Crown’s resting place was in a land packed with so much iron that most gentry couldn’t set foot in it.

“Well, then, we’re at an impasse,” I said triumphantly. “I have something you want, and there’s no way I’m giving it to you. End of story.”

“No, child,” she said, shaking her head with mock sympathy. “That’s where you’re mistaken. Really, you have nothing at all—and I have everything.” She paused for dramatic effect. “Like your friends in my dungeon.”

I went perfectly still. “What are you saying? That you’ll kill them if I don’t use the crown for you?”

“It’s certainly an option. The fact that you have yet to attempt any magic to fight me has already given away how much they mean to you.”

“Yes,” I said, my heart sinking. “But they would all willingly die to prevent the enslavement of countless other kingdoms or abuse of the Iron Crown.” I knew the words were true as I said them, but they still hurt. I’d held back on using magic, not just because my friends’ lives were on the line, but also because I didn’t have an entirely clear plan on what to do with my magic. But something like this? Varia’s world domination? No question. None of my companions would be able to live with themselves knowing the scope of what their freedom had cost others.

“At some point, you have to decide what number of lives tips the scale. So, you’re saying these, what, six or seven individuals aren’t worth the crown’s cost? What about your kingdom? Kingdoms? What I offered to do to the Willow Land—by focusing the enchantment—can be done to yours instead.” Her smile grew particularly cunning. “Or maybe it’s less about quantity than quality. Your children are out there somewhere. Do you think they can stay hidden forever? Even in the human world, I can find them. I have many subjects, and you and your sister aren’t the only ones who can pass through with ease.”

The room threatened to spin around me, and I had to focus myself to stay calm and not give away how hard her words had hit. “Are you really so heartless?” I demanded. “Listen to yourself! You’re threatening to wipe out two entire kingdoms and hunt down my children!” Seeing her smirk, I had to restrain from clenching my fists. “Do you enjoy this? Do you get some kind of sick thrill from these kinds of psycho threats?”

“No,” she told me, still smiling and petting the dogs. “I simply take satisfaction out of pointing out the obvious, and it’s exactly as I already said: you hold nothing here, and I hold everything.”

Chapter 20

Chapter 20