Chapter 4
My father rose to stand, his hands pressing into the mahogany desk. The rich scent of scotch and leather lingered in the air in my father’s study.
Thalen’s boots scuffed across the floor as he gripped the back of my father’s armchair. His eyes glittered in the darkness, even though the candlelight hadn’t reached them.
My heart thundered, racing on without my permission.
He was handsome.
He spoke the words I longed to hear.
But still my heart drummed within me, and it felt like a warning.
Thalen hadn’t done anything wrong, but long after his words were spoken, after a moment of excitement faded, I couldn’t get past the feeling there was something I was missing.
“We have reached an agreement—the two of you shall be married tomorrow. The Vale and Bailoc will prosper from such a partnership.” My father squared his shoulders, drawing in a deep breath.
The decision was final.
The stagnant air held thick around me. I clutched the edge of the desk as my vision blurred.
Thalen reached for my arm, attempting to brace me, but I recoiled.
My father furrowed his brow.
“Princess Aelira…” Thalen’s voice softened.
The wooden doors of my father’s study collided with the stone walls. “Your majesty, there has been a disturbance…at the divide.” Lord Joran stepped between us. “I must speak with you privately.”
My father’s eyes were wide with horror, yet he didn’t flinch.
Thalen’s eyes narrowed at Joran’s words, his head tilted, but his calm didn’t fade. He nodded to my father and Joran before he left the study.
My father yanked me back. His fingers pressed deep into my flesh until I winced. “It is your duty to uphold—so our people don’t starve.” As he released me his voice lowered. “Do not defy your future husband. Soon you will be his, and then he may do with you what he likes.”
Tears threatened to spill down my cheeks, but I blinked them back.
I would be his.
He could handle me however he chose.
“Are you all right, Your Highness?” Thalen reached for me again when I stepped outside my father’s study. His hand brushed my arm.
“You reached an agreement so quickly.”
“It is the way of these arrangements.” Thalen studied me. His composure held.
“You are not concerned over the news of the divide?” I asked.
His eyes narrowed once more. “The divide is made of fae magic. It is unpredictable, but it’s held for over twenty years. You will be safe in the Vale.”
My father wasn’t unfazed—neither was Joran.
His blue eyes settled on mine—no longer glittering in the fragmented sun that shone into the corridor.
Thalen took my hand in his, leading me sit on a corridor bench. “The thought of leaving your home weighs on you, but you may learn to love the Vale.”
I trembled in his grasp. “I appreciate the aid you bring Bailoc.”
He braced my cheek with his palm, and a shiver ran down my spine. “You do not need to play politics with me. Speak to me as you wish.” Thalen slid closer to me on the bench until I could feel the heat of his body next to mine.
Tomorrow I would be his wife.
A slow, steady smile spread across his face, almost as if he could hear how fast my heart was racing.
“Thalen...” My voice cracked. He leaned in toward me, his lips hovered over mine for only a heartbeat, before he kissed me. His warmth greeted me, but it felt wrong.
I pulled back, wanting to be free of him. His lips clamped down on mine as he pulled me closer, locking me into place.
The fabric of my gown caught on my fingernails as I dug them into my thighs.
I couldn’t move.
I couldn’t breathe.
He lifted his lips from mine. “Who you ally yourself with will be extremely important.” A tilted smirk spread across his face. “We will be everything together, Aelira.”
I knew once he kissed me—when he wouldn’t let me go.
The only thing I’d be with him was broken.
My heart hardened and I blinked back the tears before they could fall.
The words of protest were left unspoken.
Even in the solitude of my chambers, I still felt his presence.
Loud. Threatening. Domineering.
The leather book’s embroidery protruded into my fingertips. Its blank pages taunted me. Who knew what answers it held, but if it held anything at all—I was desperate to hear it.
Lines etched into the parchment quicker than before.
It is no longer safe for you to remain in Bailoc.
I won’t be here much longer. Soon I’ll call the Vale home.
You mustn’t go.
Where else could I go?
Lythira.
The fae territory—a kingdom that hates humans. They attacked us, then cursed us with the blight. They stripped our people of everything.
Things are not as you have been told.
The fae did not cause the blight.
They do not seek to destroy your kind.
Then who did?
It began once the war ended. Once the land had enough.
An impassable divide lay between us, held in place by their magic. Why did they want to keep the humans out? Why did they fear us? I hadn’t stopped to ever consider everything I was told.
The fae didn’t start the blight. And they couldn’t reverse it.
Cross into Lythira.
It is your destiny.
Humans can’t cross the divide.
You can, Aelira.
Lythira is waiting for you.
Why would Lythira be waiting for me?
It has begun.
Do not wait.
Exhaustion crept in. It squeezed every muscle.
Freedom can be yours.
Freedom was nothing but a dream that fate stole from me.
A knock interrupted my thoughts—even my daydreams were not mine to keep.
I slid the book under my bed and tried to sit upright.
Reina peeked her head around the door. “I know you haven’t sent for me, but I heard the news. I thought maybe you’d want to talk to someone about it—or maybe even celebrate.” She waited for me to say anything at all, but still I only stared back at her. “You look pale.”
“I just need some water,” I finally said.
The glass trembled as I brought it to my lips. I took a sip but could barely swallow.
“Your wedding is tomorrow.” She was beaming as she sat beside me, like the news was her own. “You should be excited. Not sitting on the floor.” Her nose crinkled.
“It is.” The cool liquid trickled down my throat again. “It’s a lot to take in. A big change.” My thoughts were lost on the book. Its words left my heart racing.
“He may not go through with it if you look like you’re terrified,” she scoffed. When I said nothing, she spoke again, her words a little softer than before. “He’s extremely handsome. He has land far from here. Land that you both would own. This is not a death sentence.”
How simple it would be for her, but it wasn’t for me.
I studied the disgust that clung to her face.
Reina doted on my brother, curtsied deeply to my father, and only tolerated my sweet sister.
She never once stopped to listen when she asked how I was feeling.
We had been friends since childhood. I was leaving.
I may never return, but she didn’t seem to care at all.
A deep twinge of sadness burrowed in my chest.
I knew the truth. There were few who cared that I would leave.
“I wish to be alone.” My words were firm.
“You know what I mean.” She coyly slid her curls over her shoulder.
“I do know what you mean. You may leave now.” I pointed to the door.
She didn’t protest.
I reached under the bed for the book. The words greeted me the moment I opened it again.
Be careful of the company you keep.
I stared at the door. Her perfume still held stagnant in the air.
Your world is taught to fear the fae, taught to hate our kind.
But you already know the truth.
It is as your mother told you.
The tales my mother told of the fae—nothing ever stopped her from whispering them in the darkness. Why are you concerned about Reina?
She is not of our world and only has hatred for our kind.
The words vanished. My heart raced louder, as if soon the entire palace would hear it. It echoed in my ears until my head throbbed.
She is not of the fae world, but neither am I.
The clarity you seek can be found.
Look for a letter your mother kept.
Go to where you found this book.
The leather cord wrapped easily around the book—concealing its secrets once more. I would search for the letter. I wouldn’t rest until I found it.
I gripped the stone wall. A chill rippled down my spine as the door creaked a warning.
My time was limited.
For a moment I swore I felt my mother’s presence still.
Her golden eyes looked back at me in the mirror. My cheeks reddened as tears fell from my eyes. Our people were starving. Marriage to Thalen was the only solution.
I would have to endure him for them even if I broke.
The book had to be wrong about where I was meant to be.
Footsteps echoed from the chambers beneath the tower floor. I tore through each crate. The contents scattered across the floor. Each was stuffed to the brim with gowns. He kept them all, but we weren’t allowed to speak of her. He forbade us from entering this space.
I tugged at a lid. A stray splinter pricked my finger as I ripped it free. Inside lay her books. A heavy book bound in green leather caught my eye, it bulged at the binding. I traced the pages, pressing through to where it bulged and a single piece of parchment fell free.
The lines were deeply set in the folded parchment with ink smudged in a round ring—like water droplets.
Selene, my love,
It’s growing harder to keep my distance from you both, but now the divide separates us, I fear we will not be together again. My thoughts are with you both always as I grieve the life we will never live.
My dreams are full of visions of our daughter with my dark locks and your golden eyes. From the moment I held her, I knew she would always be the best of both of us.
Conceal and protect her for as long as you are able. The stars have determined her fate—she will mend what’s broken.
Grant her strength to stand. They will only wish her to fall.
This gemstone will awaken it all. You will know when she is ready.
Until we meet again in the next life.
I will love you always,
Z
A single tear struck the letter, smearing the ink further.
A letter to my mother, about her child with dark locks and golden eyes.
Agan and Ashlyn looked just like my mother and father—blonde and golden.
I didn’t. I was the only one that fit that description.
The letter was here just as the book said, written by a man who wasn’t my father—claiming to be. Someone who lived on the other side of the divide—a fae. All this time, my father looked at me as if I disappointed him, as if he hated me.
He knew.
I needed answers. I needed more than this.
Sunlight crept through the window, reflecting off the mirror. It illuminated the stone. Heat spreading through me from it. Each rage-filled breath left me quivering. King Ardyn would trade his problem to give the people of Bailoc a future.
The problem was me.
The book didn’t trust Reina, because she wasn’t fae. Yet it spoke to me—trusted me, because I was.
I pried the window latch free, letting the wind gush into the tower.
Even if it were only for a moment, I could breathe again.