Chapter 30 #2
“Hm.” Her eyes dart between the speck representing my meager home and the stretch of land beyond the Veil. “It’s so far from the Fae Realm. How in The Mother’s name did you find yourself traveling with the Shadow Prince?”
My head snaps so fast, my neck twinges. “What did you say?”
Her steady eyes hold my incredulous stare.
“Relax. Rian knows I’m aware of his identity. Despite his best effort with that glamour.”
Heat flows into my fingers. I curl my fists, urging the weakened light to stay under my skin.
How many Virendrellians know Rian’s true identity?
Why hide his appearance at this point?
I open my mouth to speak but close it a second later.
This could be a trick. Or a trap.
Hali doesn’t move. Her hands remain on her hips, but her posture is relaxed.
She’s calm. Too calm for someone who knows the formidable Shadow Prince has infiltrated her city.
“You…” I pause, choosing my next words carefully. “You know Rian?”
“For most of my life,” she confirms with a nod.
My pulse thunders in my ears. “How?”
How could a woman born in Virendrell know the Shadow Prince from the continent?
Hali’s gaze returns to the map. “I met him through my brother.”
I wait for her to explain.
She doesn’t.
I purse my lips, trying to make the connection. Nothing comes to mind.
“I don’t understand,” I say.
“They didn’t tell you.” She scoffs, shaking her head. “I’m not surprised. Those males’ loyalty to one another’s secrets is admirable. But infuriating.”
“Are you talking about Darius and Draven?”
“And Silas,” she adds as she looks at me fully. “And Jaxon.”
My brows lift as my body goes rigid. “You know Ja—”
I stop.
Hali’s eyes. The familiar set of her cheekbones. The way her mouth curves when she smiles.
Gods.
How did I miss it?
“Jaxon is your brother.”
“Careful.” Her voice drops as her gaze sweeps the shelves around us. “Sound carries easily here. Especially to part Fae ears.”
I clamp my mouth shut and nod, my thoughts reeling as the pieces shift and lock into place.
“Jaxon is from Virendrell,” I exhale.
“He is.”
“But…he’s full Fae.”
Isn’t he?
“Our dear mother found herself on the receiving end of a Shadow Lord’s unwanted attention when Marek tried to conquer Virendrell after the Shadow Wars.” A shadow falls over Hali’s pretty features. “And he was too powerful to deny.”
She doesn’t say more.
She doesn’t have to.
My stomach twists. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have—”
“There’s no need.” She steps closer to the map of Virendrell, and her eyes take on a faraway look as she stares at her homeland.
“Mother despised what happened to her, but she never regretted Jaxon. She said The Mother smiled down on her when he was born, the last full-blooded Fae to be born on these shores. And the most powerful in centuries.”
And yet…he left.
I don’t ask why.
“Is your mother still here?”
“No.” She pinches her lips together. “She left us many years ago.”
My heart aches. “I’m sorry.”
“Thank you.” Her gaze unfocuses, then she blinks and turns to face me. “So…you’ve met my older brother.”
It’s not a question, but I nod all the same. “I have.”
“Let me guess.” Her tone lightens. “He refused to travel here with the rest of you.”
I bite my lip. If Rian hasn’t told her where Jaxon is, should I?
“It’s okay.” A knowing smile tugs at her mouth. “You don’t need to tell me. I know my brother well enough to know I’m right.”
She steps in front of the last map, the one dominated by jagged mountains.
“So…” She glances over her shoulder, eyes sharpening. “You never answered my question. How does a human earth wielder end up in Virendrell, escorted by none other than the Shadow Prince?”
I cross my arms and huff, “Bad luck.”
She laughs. “I’ll say… Though there are many who would welcome his attention.”
My stomach twists.
“Well, those people are welcome to it,” I snap.
Another laugh slips from Hali’s lips, and the shadow lingering on her face fades.
“You must be important,” she says, voice thoughtful. “I can’t think of any other reason Rian or the others would allow themselves to be burdened with a human. No offense.”
A flicker of hurt cuts through me before I can stop it.
“None taken.” I force the words past the tightness in my throat.
Then, in the spirit of being open, I blurt, “You found me here on purpose…didn’t you.”
“I did.”
“Is there a reason?”
Her lips curl. “Yes.”
“Care to share it?”
She laughs again. “Oh, I bet Jaxon loves you.”
“We get along well enough.”
“I can see it.” Her eyes sparkle then dim as the lightness in her voice vanishes. “I was hoping to ask for your help.”
The marks on my arms stir. In curiosity? Or warning?
“I’m not sure how someone like me could help you.”
“You’re wrong.” Resolve hardens her features. “You’re exactly the person who can help me.”
Careful, Elara.
Hali may be Jaxon’s sister, but I don’t know her. Not well.
I shouldn’t get involved in whatever mess she needs help with.
But Gods damn me… I can’t help but want to learn more.
I release a long, heavy sigh, then say, “I’m listening.”
Hali searches my face. For what? I’m not sure. But whatever she sees has her taking a deep breath. Then—
“I want to leave Virendrell.”
I rear back.
Of the things I thought she’d say, that was certainly not it.
“Okay…” I search her gaze. “What’s stopping you?”
Piercing brown eyes bore into mine. “Have you noticed all the children?”
“Around the palace?”
“Yes.” The word lands heavy with meaning I don’t yet understand. “Have you ever wondered why they’re here?”
My mind flashes to laughing children racing around the contests. To the line of school-aged kids and the stern man keeping them in order.
“I have,” I admit carefully.
“And where their parents are?” she presses.
I frown. “No… I assumed they were here enjoying the celebrations.”
Hali snorts. “Oh, their parents are here. But they are not enjoying anything.”
Warning flares in my mind, telling me I’m balanced on a cliff’s edge of a truth that will shove me forward. There will be no crawling back into ignorance.
And yet, I ask, “What do you mean?”
The strain melts from her expression, replaced by a look that suggests things have gone exactly as she'd hoped.
My still-healing power coils tight, bracing itself and me for what comes next.
Hali inclines her head with a sigh.
Then she tells me everything.