Chapter 6
It was my wedding day, but there wouldn’t be a celebration—because I wouldn’t marry Thalen.
The stars held my fate. I knew so little of their power, but in their twilight, a quiet certainty settled. My destiny was on the other side of the divide—in Nythrel—with the fae.
The scent of my lavender tea washed over me. Milana looked at the riding dress I laid out on my bed. I tucked my satchel near my feet as she clutched my riding boots.
“A ride may do your nerves some good, Your Highness. I had hoped you wanted to take in fresh air this morning.” She placed the boots near the door.
“My nerves have gotten the best of me.” I gripped my teacup harder.
“I will pack some food in your satchel, in case you get hungry on your ride,” she said.
She knew my ride in the meadow would be brief. The wedding would be here soon. Milana never packed food for a short ride.
“Milana.” Her name lingered on my lips until it faded. “Thank you, for everything.”
She doted on me ever since my mother passed—guided me in times my mother couldn’t. I wanted to tell her, but I couldn’t put her in danger. The plan would remain mine alone. If she knew, she pretended she didn’t.
A moment of tranquility hovered between us as her smile grew broader.
My robe rolled effortlessly off my shoulders as she slipped my forest green riding dress over my head. Milana braided back my long, dark waves. I hugged her tightly, knowing it might be the very last time.
I needed to devise a plan to escape past the guards. No one would expect me to run—as far as they knew, there was nowhere a human princess could go. The sea lay to the south of the palace and a magical impassable barrier to the east.
If I requested time to myself, time to reflect, and they granted it, I could escape.
Milana tidied my night gown. She paused for a fleeting moment, pivoting to look at me once more, before she left me alone in my chambers.
My eyes caught sight of the stars that dazzled the ceiling—a design my mother requested just for me. This was the only home I ever knew.
Time wasn’t on my side. The wedding was hours away.
I gently opened the little leather book. The words appeared quickly.
Find the lavender.
Cross the divide.
“I am risking everything.” My pulse raced, thundering through my body.
All these years, you felt alone, like you didn’t belong.
Now you know why.
Now you know where you were meant to be.
The ruffled edges of the journal caught on my satchel as I hurriedly stuffed it inside.
What if only horrors met me on the other side of the wall? My fate there could be worse than here.
I thought of Thalen’s hand on my waist, his lips on mine.
His presence smothered me still.
If I stayed, he would help our people, but would it be enough to save them?
It was a risk with the greatest cost—my freedom.
I slid a sheathed dagger into my boot, even though I had little skill for using it. I wouldn’t cross into Nythrel’s outer territory, Lythira, unarmed.
It was a tradition in Bailoc for the bride to give a dagger to her new husband—a demonstration of her trust in his protection.
The dagger was forged for me to gift to Thalen, but instead, I gifted it to myself.
“We must make the ride quick,” the taller knight said to the other.
Cael approached us. “Where are you headed, Your Highness?”
“To the meadow. I need to calm my nerves.” I was unable to look at him.
I felt briefly for the satchel that I had passed off to Milana and found it secured discreetly on my horse.
Cael surveyed me. “Don’t go too far.” His jaw tensed as he eyed my satchel. “Preparations are already well under way. You will be expected to dress for the ceremony shortly.”
“I must be on my way then.” The reins grated against my palms. “Keep your distance. I will need space to reflect.” My voice held firm.
“We are under Prince Agan’s orders to not let you out of our sight,” the taller knight said.
I buried my fingers in Briar’s mane to hide them as they shook. “If I can’t calm my nerves, I will not be ready.”
“Let her ride ahead,” Cael interjected. “I will trail behind her.”
I froze at his words.
This wasn’t what I planned. He would keep me from crossing the divide.
“You will watch her by yourself?” The taller knight raised an eyebrow at Cael.
“From a distance,” Cael confirmed. “The meadow is visible from the palace walls. There is nowhere else for her to go.”
A lump rose in my throat. I tried to swallow past it. “I will be back quickly.”
Riding ahead may not give me enough time to escape, but I had to try.
“Keep your ride brief, Your Highness.” The knights climbed up on their horses, reins in hand.
A thinly veiled smile spread across my lips.
“Go ahead and start your ride, Your Highness. I will get my mare and follow you shortly,” Cael said with a nod.
I blinked back the tears. Ashlyn wasn’t in her chamber this morning before I left—there wasn’t enough time to wait for her to return. And now I would betray my friend who only ever sought to protect me, too.
The first half of the journey I knew, but the rest would take me farther than I had ever traveled. The main path was fenced in by gigantic oaks—the perfect place to slip out of sight, but only if I could get to them first.
Briar raced onward. Doubt encompassed me. The only world I knew faded fast behind me. The wind trailed us, as if it were guiding me along the path. The trees loomed over us, the blazing sun fading from view. Briar’s reins slipped in my palms.
To flee was one thing.
If I was caught, everything would be taken from me.
A verdant haze blurred past as Briar sped onward. Lavender perfume wafted toward me. Purple buds rippled through the rolling hills. Briar came to a halt at my command. The satchel slid over my shoulder. The leather stuck against my skin with the early morning heat.
It wouldn’t be long before Cael realized what I had done. He wouldn’t let me escape.
Golden, glittering light that rivaled the sun shimmered—the divide. It pulsed and swayed with the wind. I could not tell where it began or ended. The stories didn’t do it justice.
It sang—the sound radiated through me. Something was calling me, guiding me here.
I froze as the sound of hooves echoed in the distance.
Tell us who you are.
A whisper rippled in my mind as I shuddered. The energy radiated off the divide, rippling through my body with every word.
“I am Aelira.”
Why do you wish to cross?
It hissed in reply as the pulse of the divide quickened.
“To be safe. To be free.” The necklace heated around my neck—a grounding warmth that stilled me as I spoke.
Only fae may cross into this realm.
“I am both human and fae.”
Humans seek only to harm.
“I mean Nythrel no harm. Please, I don’t have much time. It is not safe for me to remain in Bailoc.” The thundering in my chest drowned out each word I spoke.
The rumble of hooves amplified.
We sense the blood of the fae in your veins.
You are fearful of the other side of the divide and all you do not know.
Yet it doesn’t stop you.
We will let you cross, but you must make a choice.
To cross means you enter our world and forsake your own.
Could I go across and never come back?
The distant hooves grew louder.
Someone is coming.
A human.
He will take you from us.
“Aelira! Don’t!” Cael’s voice called from the hill as he dismounted and ran after me.
I unsheathed the dagger and pointed it at him.
“Don’t touch me!” I wailed. The blade quivered.
He drew back. “Put the dagger away. I’m not here to harm you.” He reached again with heavy steps—my back almost touched the divide. “Stop!” he snapped. “Don’t touch the divide!”
I tightened my grip on the metal hilt. “I can’t stay.” I held my breath.
Panic flickered in his eyes. “Please. They’re going to realize you’re gone. We can say your horse was spooked. No one has to know.”
“I can’t marry him.” I could barely breathe through the words. The hilt of the dagger was like ice in my hands.
“Drop the dagger.” His words quaked. “Come to me.”
Another step brought me closer to the golden glow. Energy vibrated through the ground—it spiraled through me.
He darted at me.
“You don’t know the truth. I’m not who you think I am.”
“You’re Aelira. I have always seen you for who you are even if they don’t. This is not your story. I will not let you die today.”
I froze. The dagger shook.
My teeth clamped down on my lip. A bitter metal taste rushed my tongue. “King Ardyn isn’t my father. I’m not just human. I’m fae.”
“No. That’s not possible.” His hand wrapped around mine.
“Please. You need to let me go. Don’t take this from me.”
The way he looked at me shifted. Either he couldn’t believe it, or he couldn’t accept it.
I would never forget that look.
His hand slipped from mine. He backed up without another word.
“Pretend you never found me.” Tears trickled down to my lips.
With the dagger at my side, I stepped back. The golden light washed over me.
Welcome home.
Lythira has been waiting for you.
The voice acknowledged me one final time. Then the divide fell silent.
Lavender rolled through the vibrant glade; the scent more alive than before. The divide’s hum trailed off. He was on his knees. Agony etched into every laugh line.
I reached for him. My hand collided with the divide. Its energy pushed back on me—firm but gentle.
“I’m so sorry.” My words echoed off the divide. “Thank you for always being my friend.” I didn’t know if he heard me, but his eyes softened.
Cael never feared the truth, but something shifted within him the moment he knew. Maybe he’d never understand the decision I made.
A white haze settled.
Everything I ever knew vanished.