Chapter 39
Elariya
“The Halls of Hyxian”
Nothing could have prepared me for my visit to Hyxian. Even my wildest dreams hadn't captured the breathtaking magnificence of this place.
The academy rose from Galaythia's cliffs like a crown of silver and glass, its spiraling towers reaching toward the heavens. Built from pale moonstone that shimmered with inner luminescence, the ancient castle glowed against the dark ocean below.
Gargoyles perched along the battlements, their stone eyes following visitors as they passed.
Crystalline bridges connected the floating towers, curving through the air in impossible arcs.
Moving staircases of pure light shifted between levels at will, and gardens of radiant flowers surrounded the school, their petals glowing blue and violet like perpetual twilight.
Inside, the beauty and wonder only intensified.
A Great Hall dominated the academy's center, its domed ceiling made entirely of enchanted glass that showed not the sky above, but visions of distant realms and swirling galaxies.
Long tables carved from single pieces of starwood stretched across the floor, where students gathered for meals that appeared with a mere thought.
Floating candles drifted overhead like fallen stars, casting dancing shadows on the ancient tapestries that lined the walls.
Magic thrummed through every stone, every beam of light, every breath I took in this incredible place.
I could have spent hours drinking in the impossible beauty of it all. Being here felt like stepping into a dream I never wanted to wake from. So it was no surprise I'd find myself drawn to the most sacred space of all.
Nestled in the heart of Hyxian was the statue of the Blessed Mother, radiating a sacred presence that demanded reverence from every soul who passed by.
I stood before her with my heart caught in my throat.
She was breathtaking. Carved from the same pale moonstone as the academy walls, yet somehow, she seemed to glow brighter, as if lit from within by divine grace.
Her face shone with serenity, her hands outstretched in blessing.
Delicate robes flowed around her marble form, so intricately carved they seemed to move in an invisible breeze.
I'd seen statues of the Blessed Mother before, but never one that made me feel as if she might open her eyes and speak to me at any moment. The ones I'd seen were from the old world, before the Accords. They were considered historical artwork in the mortal lands. But this...
A sense of peace I'd never experienced before settled over me. A feeling I wanted to keep in my soul forever.
A prayer rose from my heart as I gazed into her eyes, marble that should have been cold yet was somehow warm with divine love.
“Blessed Mother,” I whispered, “please help me find my path to destiny by whatever means you see fit.”
I was certain I imagined it, but she seemed to shimmer in response.
Or perhaps it was simply the magic here.
I'd felt it even before we rode through the castle gates.
The magic was different from what flowed through the air in the realm.
Here it was potent, vibrant, soul-soothing. Like a dose of new life.
The moment Arielle and I stepped out of the carriage, the weight of the curse and everything that had happened since leaving home seemed to lift from my shoulders. My mind had felt lighter, open to possibilities I hadn't dared imagine.
It was also a relief that it was just the two of us, so I didn't have to deal with the drunken embarrassment from yesterday when I inevitably saw Garrick. Though he was within range, watching from afar in case anything happened.
We'd been here for a few hours. I'd toured the place, sat through the morning assembly with all the students—a majority of whom had the same hair color as me—and I'd met some of Arielle's old teachers while we did the first two lessons for the day.
Arielle had a meeting with the archmage, so I decided to return to the place that had given me such peace.
I pulled my gaze away from the Blessed Mother and looked around me. That sense of belonging filled my soul, and I recalled the heartfelt words Wolfe told me when I first arrived in Galaythia. That I belonged here.
I experienced something different every day that made me fall deeper in love with the realm. I'd never stood a chance of resisting the connection I'd felt. Even now, those feelings continued to grow.
Wolfe had officially enlisted me as a royal mage in training and expanded the story we'd crafted based on the realm's laws for those of mixed heritage born in the mortal lands.
According to our tale, I was Elariya Clearwayer and my family had been divided about where I was to live.
Since my twenty-first birthday was a few months away, I'd been allowed to choose the magical realm and pursue my studies here.
I'd also gotten the certificate to show that my powers were officially unbound—though they'd never actually been bound.
Now my fabricated background had more depth and believability while still keeping my identity hidden.
Wolfe had also reinforced the wards he placed up around my background so if anyone decided to investigate me, they’d see what we wanted them to see.
That said, the academy was only willing to accept me because the enrollment order came directly from Wolfe. And they didn't question who I was, either.
The remarkable thing about the lie was how much it felt like my own truth. The lie deeply resonated with me because it was exactly what I wanted to do.
I wasn't overlooking the darker side of what brought me to the magical realm, but truth was truth and would always be true no matter what happened.
Guilt twisted my gut at the acknowledgment, and a sheen of cold sweat broke across my skin. It felt like I was turning my back on my family again. Despite the joy I felt from what Wolfe had done for them, I knew they were worried sick about me. And here I was, embracing and indulging in magic.
My mother would never have agreed to this. Never. Not even with my birthday approaching and if the situation with Thayden didn't exist.
Though my father would never force me to marry anyone, he would have gone along with whatever Mother said because living in the magical realm meant being away from them. He wouldn't have wanted her to worry, and he felt any discussion of magic was outside his territory.
I was undoubtedly set to live in the mortal lands forever. But it seemed that maybe, just maybe, destiny had other things in store for me. It certainly felt that way this morning when I was with Wolfe.
Gods, the mere thought of him and the events of last night, and this morning, sent my body into a tailspin of emotion.
Aside from the whole drunken confession—that I was never, ever, ever, ever going to live down—I couldn't get over the fact that I'd slept next to him. For the entire night. And I accidentally touched him in the one place I shouldn't.
Gods be good.
My body heated again, going up in flames, and I felt even worse for thinking of such things while I stood in front of the Blessed Mother.
Quickly, I muttered the prayer of forgiveness and sealed it by tapping my hand to my heart three times.
Being here was the only thing that had taken my mind off Wolfe, but I knew the instant we left and headed back to Vyrenth Hollow, I'd be a lost cause.
“There you are.” Arielle's hearty voice pulled me from my reverie.
I lifted my head and turned to see her approaching with an elderly woman whose authoritative presence commanded immediate respect. Her name was Magdalena. She was the archmage of the academy. I'd seen her earlier at the assembly.
She was tall with a willowy figure and exuded elegant grace.
Her silver hair was rolled into an immaculate chignon, highlighting sharp cheekbones and eyes that held the indigo depth of a twilight sky.
Her brocade robes were embroidered with constellations of sapphire and gold that shimmered as she moved, making the smile she gave me look brighter.
“Archmage Magdalena,” Arielle said formally, “may I present Elariya Clearwayer.”
“It's an honor to meet you.” I dipped my head respectfully and held out my hand to shake hers.
“And you, my child.” She shook my hand and studied me with ageless eyes filled with wisdom. Arielle told me Magdalena was nearly two hundred years old and from the same mage realm as her. “Looks like you've been drawn to the Blessed Mother.”
Her gaze drifted to the statue behind me before returning to my face.
I felt heat rise in my cheeks. “Oh, I didn't mean to wander off. I just... she's beautiful.”
Magdalena raised a gentle hand. “There is no wrong path in seeking the divine. But tell me, what did you feel when you looked upon her?”
I glanced back at the statue, then met her curious gaze. “Peace and safety. Like... like she was watching over me.”
Both she and Arielle looked pleased with my answer.
“Although we know what the statue represents, only a few of us can actually sense those feelings. It suggests your magic has a spiritual component many lack.”
That piqued my interest and raised my hopes. “Is this statue different from others?”
“It is. It was blessed by the Mother herself as a token of her love and our allegiance to her. Legend has it that those of pure heart will always feel her when near, and she will always guide them to their destinies.”
I felt the truth in her words. “That's... amazing.”
Magdalena nodded slowly. “Arielle has told me much about you.”
“All wonderful things, I promise.” Arielle laughed, looking as excited as she'd been on the way here. She was as ecstatic as I was that Wolfe had allowed me this opportunity.
“That's good to hear.”
“We're happy to have you here. Though your circumstances are a little outside our usual allowances, we'll be able to teach you all that you need to know about magic.”
“Thank you. That means a lot to me.”