Chapter 23 #2
Their acrid, stale breath smelled of death. I gagged and tried to pull away.
A toothless smile spread across their face at the realization of my discomfort. “It begs the question, Aurelia of the human realm. What are you? Whatever it is, it is not human.”
I took several steps back, covering my nose with my hand, doing my best to avoid vomiting. It took me a few moments to process what they had said before I could formulate a response.
“What do you mean, I’m not human? My grandmother was human. My parents were human. What little bit of magic, or arcana, I do possess is a familial gift from Nyxenia. There is obviously something wrong with your test. Maybe the water is contaminated, or—”
“You insolent girl,” the arcana master hissed at me. “I have more experience with arcana than everyone else in the realm combined. I have seen things of myth and legend that others could not comprehend. Do not presume to tell me that I am incorrect. You are what I say you are.”
“And what exactly is that, then?” I spat back.
“Something that should not exist,” they replied flatly as they made their way slowly to the bookshelves.
“What is that supposed to mean? I thought the whole point of seeing you was to test my arcana, not whatever this is.” I gestured vaguely toward the moon water and bloodied crystal bowl.
“Knowing who or what you are is an integral part of figuring out what arcana you are most proficient with,” they replied as they searched the stacks.
Their frustration at the situation was evident.
“Neither I nor the moon water can get an accurate read on what you are. Something about you is not quite right.” Finally they found what they were looking for, pulling a small book out and throwing it at me.
Unprepared as I was, it hit me square in the chest and fell on the floor.
“Oof. What is this?” I bent over to pick up the book.
What the Eternal Night was it with the fae in this realm and their books?
I wasn’t sure who I preferred at this point: Leni’s overbearing protectiveness or the arcana master’s apparent disregard.
The title was written in a language I didn’t understand.
On the cover, small fae children were frolicking in a sparkling, luscious forest. “I don’t know why you’re giving me a children’s book, but I can’t read this. ”
They snapped their fingers, and the title of the book changed to Arcana Fundamentals for Little Ones.
“Take that back to your room and study it,” the master ordered.
“It will give you the basics for summoning your arcana. I will call upon you in a few days to begin your testing. It would be in your best interest to be prepared when that happens.”
“If you don’t know what I am, how are we supposed to know what arcana I’m best at? This feels like we’re skipping a step. Shouldn’t we wait for the blood-and-water test to work before we move on?”
A loud snap echoed around me, and I found myself outside the arcana chamber. The front door to the chamber slammed shut and locked. I guess our session for today was done.
“You have a real knack for making a great first impression,” a familiar voice called out.
I turned to see Everett exiting the royal garden, a mischievous grin plastered on his face.
“Shut up, Everett. I’m not in the mood,” I responded as I gripped the children’s arcana book. Just another small humiliation I had to endure to stay in a place I wasn’t welcome in.
“Neither was the arcana master, by the looks of it,” he replied, laughing. “Jokes aside, how did it go? Did you find out how magical and powerful you are?”
I finally caught up to Everett, and we began the walk back to my suite. “It was fine. Can’t wait to go back,” I lied.
Everett reached down and grabbed the book from me. “Aw, I haven’t seen this book in such a long time. Did they give you this to take home and study? You must have really pissed them off.”
I stared ahead, doing my best not to let my emotions get the better of me in the moment.
I hadn’t expected this process to be easy, but I also hadn’t expected to be told that I was something that shouldn’t exist. It cemented all those feelings I’d had as a child and young adult, when I’d felt like an outcast for being so different from everyone else in my village.
I was that insecure twelve-year-old girl all over again, but this time I was alone, with no one to comfort me.
Days like today were when I missed Nocturna and Astra the most. All I wanted to do right now was go back to my room and cuddle with my girls on the bed. I would do anything to know where they were right now, and that they were safe.
“Have you heard anything about my cats?” I asked, hopeful that Everett had an update for me.
“No, nothing yet. Sorry,” he responded, slightly apologetic.
I let out a long, sad sigh. Aside from the passing of my grandmother, I had never had to endure bad times without my girls.
A slight pain twinged in my chest at the memory.
I placed my hand over my aching heart. Wherever they were, I could only hope that they were safe and enjoying themselves, since I was having a very bad time.
The walk back to my suite was more of the same awkward conversation.
It was as if we both wanted things to go back to the way they had been, but neither of us was willing to put their pride aside and be the first to apologize.
It was a pathetic game for adults to play, but here we were.
“Let me know if you need help with any of the summoning tasks,” Everett said as a peace offering, as I made my way into my suite. “I don’t have exceptional arcana skills, like the master, but I know enough to be useful.”
“Thanks, Everett. I’ll let you know.” I waved goodbye as I slowly closed and locked the door.
I tossed the children’s book onto the small dining table, fully intending to leave it there and not pick it up again before seeing the arcana master in a few days’ time. What was the point of trying to learn arcana if their own method to test me didn’t work? It was obvious that I was broken.
I made my way over to the bed, flopped onto my back, and stared up at the canopy hanging over me. As I spread my arms out, my hand landed on something stiff and rough. I sat up and looked over to find a light green envelope on my pillow. I carefully opened it and read the invitation inside.
You are cordially invited to the homecoming party
for His Royal Highness Prince Sterling.
Date: Frost Moon
Time: Moonrise
Location: Citrine Court Royal Garden
Attire: Whimsical Winter’s Night
Next to the date was a picture of the moon moving through its phases.
According to this, the party was in seven days.
That didn’t seem like very much time to arrange a party, but what did I know about throwing a fae fete?
I looked over the invitation to find the response note, but there didn’t appear to be one.
I shouldn’t have been surprised. I hadn’t been given any options since arriving here. Why would I be now?