Chapter 33
We sat around the table in the private dining room with plates stuffed to the brim with meat—every leafy green was pale and lifeless. Each meal we ate held less color than before.
The space could easily hold more fae, more food, but it was usually only the three of us—Fyn, Lioran, and I. Cora sometimes stopped by. Being back at that table made me feel like I was home.
I only picked at my food. Fyn ate every bite from his plate.
“You both look well…rested.” Fyn offered a tilted grin as he raised his water glass toward us.
“Fyn,” Cora grumbled at him.
I let out a laugh—the first in a while.
Lioran’s mouth curved into a warm grin. “You made her laugh.”
“You say it like I’m no fun anymore.” I exhaled, but my chest held tight.
“Oh, I definitely didn’t say that.” Lioran’s grin spread wide, his gaze devouring me.
“Okay…well, lunch was pleasant. We should probably leave these two so they can get back to whatever they had planned for this afternoon.”
“Have you sent word to Nythrel?” Cora flipped her red hair over her shoulder. On the surface, she seemed calm, but something was off about her.
“Word was sent. They will know soon enough,” Lioran responded.
“What will they do?” I asked.
“It doesn’t matter. Time is on our side for now.” Lioran’s gaze remained on his leftover lunch.
Horror struck me with my next thought. I hadn’t even considered what would happen when he relinquished his claim to the throne. “I sincerely hope it is not Pyrran.”
Fyn snorted as he gulped his water. It sprayed everywhere. “The stars would never—he wasn’t gifted with magic.”
Lioran drummed his fingers on the table. “The only choice is Calyth.”
Cora’s emerald eyes dulled, only for a moment. “You really think it’s that simple? The stars chose you.”
“It’s done. My tattoo, the mark of fate’s choice, vanished,” Lioran retorted as he dug his fork into a sliver of venison. The smell soured as it hit me, and I pushed my plate aside. Once we returned from the Grove, if we returned, I would be able to eat again.
Cora slid down in her chair. Her gaze turned to me. She didn’t utter another word, but I knew she wanted me to intervene.
“The stars must have changed their mind,” I said.
“Are you going to eat that?” Fyn eyed my plate.
“I’m not hungry.” I pushed it closer to him.
Cora spoke up again, but the edge was gone from her words. “I had another vision.”
I gripped the arms of the chair, my fingernails digging into the wood.
Cora played with the hem of her sleeves.
“The bargain will take from you, until you complete it. You are on borrowed time—both of you.” Her fork shook in her unsteady grip.
“You must go to Myrwood, tomorrow.” My stomach clenched.
There was no avoiding it—our time, our moment, couldn’t continue to exist like this.
“Tomorrow?” I echoed.
“Lythira’s patience will dwindle. The bargain will not wait much longer.” Her words ran cold.
“What did you learn?” Lioran ran his quaking hands through his hair, pushing his curls further from his eyes.
“Myrwood Grove is alive with dark magic—it will attempt to break you in ways you can’t imagine. Not just anyone can pass through the Grove.”
“Break us how?” Lioran asked.
Cora looked away from Lioran. “That I can’t answer. It is all we know. Only fragments of tales remain of those who travel there.”
“And if it doesn’t think we are worthy?” I hesitated to ask.
“I don’t know what happens.” She gripped the table.
“Did you see the end?” My voice creaked. Every muscle in my body stiffened as she exhaled, staring out the window.
“I can’t determine if what I saw was the end.” It wasn’t like Cora to hold back—she was hiding something.
“Don’t tell us then,” Lioran interjected.
“Lioran,” I snapped. “It’s my fate. I need to know.”
“And if you hear you don’t survive? Then what? You won’t have the will to hold on—I need you to hold on.” Each word was more desperate than the last—the light in his eyes dimmed.
“It will deplete you entirely—”
“Don’t say another word.” His hands slapped the table. The flatware bounced, and I jolted upright.
“She deserves to know,” Cora insisted.
Lioran braced himself against the back of his chair. “How can I protect her? She needs to be the one to walk out of the Grove.”
Fyn bit his lip at Lioran’s words.
“Why does it have to be me?” I asked. His chest rose, his lips parted, but he said nothing.
“I don’t know that you can,” Cora said.
“We will bear the weight of this together and the stars will decide.” I wanted to believe each word I spoke. He had risked everything—given me everything.
Sunlight caught on the emerald on my finger, casting a green glow on the walls. Heat sifted through my body as the room spun. I clutched onto Lioran’s arm, hoping he could steady me.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
“My nerves are getting the best of me.” Nausea spiraled within me.
Lioran’s jaw clenched, his arms stiffened against the chair.
“Try to eat something.” Cora moved the plate closer to me.
“I can’t.” My stomach would never settle to handle it.
Fyn shifted nervously in his seat.
“We will need to arrange everything we can for the journey. Fyn, I’ll need your help.” Lioran’s fingers trailed down my arm. He squeezed my hand. “Cora, please keep an eye on her.”
Cora followed them both to the door. When Fyn slipped through, she pulled Lioran back. “She’s barely eaten anything since our visit to the High Court.”
“She will eat when she’s ready.” Lioran’s words were firm, but there was something behind his eyes. Maybe his fear was just as crippling as mine.
“I think she needs to see a healer. Maybe Rowena has something that can help with her nerves.” Cora stepped in front of him, blocking the door.
“All of this is to be expected, considering the situation.” Gently, he guided her aside and left.
“I’m worried about you. Please consider seeing Rowena before we go,” Cora said.
“There’s nothing anyone can do. I’m just…afraid.” My gaze remained at the door.
“My visions evolve…what I see one day, may alter the next. It may not be as I see it.” Her voice quaked with each word.
“Have you seen what happens when we go there together? Have you seen Lioran there at all?” I wasn’t sure if I even wanted the answer.
Tears welled in her eyes. “He hasn’t been in any of my visions…only you. The Grove wants you…”
“It doesn’t matter…does it? If he goes or not?” I pulled back my chair, ready to stand, but the room spun again. “I don’t make it…”
She couldn’t blink the tears back anymore. I couldn’t watch them fall.
“I don’t know if it matters. I can only tell you what the stars have chosen to show me. Hope is not lost. More may still be revealed.”
“As long as it doesn’t reveal an end where he doesn’t return.” Our home could thrive without me—Lioran could move on too. Without him, I would crumble—Lythira would soon follow.
We spent our last night together falling further in love under the moon’s glow. I wanted to stay forever in our home, but the Grove wouldn’t wait.
Ever since the bargain, something new stirred in me, my body felt weaker—like it was no longer mine to command. If his felt the same, I wouldn’t know it. Lioran would never complain.
My skin was hot as I freed myself from the covers. I undid the clasp of the onyx pendant, unable to bear its heat along with my own.
My hands shook as I reached for the leather book. Its delicate floral pattern was illuminated in dawn’s light. I gently opened the cover and waited in silence. He stirred in the bed beside me.
“Lioran and I are bonded. We will go to the Grove together. He has taken on the bargain,” I whispered.
I know how much you love him.
And now I see how much he loves you.
He will risk everything for you.
“I want him to be safe. I want us both to be safe.”
Look to the stars to guide you.
You are the thread that ties humanity and the fae together.
Lythira has been waiting for you.
“I don’t even know how…”
Your instincts will not lead you astray.
“My heart is breaking—it feels hollow.”
Only because you fear, but fear will not guide you here.
It’s time.
Go into the darkness and turn it into light.
“Thank you…I love you.”
I love you, Aelira.
Your mother sends her love, too.
“Is she with you?” He hadn’t mentioned it, maybe because he didn’t want me to know he was gone. I knew she was, but seeing it on the page, knowing they were together let my heart settle.
Peace had been granted in six little words, etched in parchment.
Yes, she is here with me.
She is so proud of who you’ve become.
Do not be afraid.
You are our princess of the flowers.
She knew—just as he had—who I truly was. “Tell her I love her. I have never stopped thinking of her, never stopped wanting her here with me. She gave me a beautiful future—at the cost of her own, and I will continue to fight for it.”
She’s felt your love this entire time.
We will wait to hear about your journey.
And all the stories that are to come after.
As long as you have this book—I will be with you.
I pressed the pages shut. A single tear trickled down my face—it wasn’t from fear, but feeling their love after all this time. Whatever the future held, I was grateful for all that the stars gave me.
Lythira greeted me as I stared out the window—its haunting call echoed off the wind.
“We must get ready. We will hold council before we leave.” He exhaled. “Do you want me to get Juniper for you?
“No, can you help me?” I slid off my robe.
“Aelira…” His eyes widened as I slid on my riding tunic and pants. The color drained from his face as he fastened the ties loosely around my waist.
“You can say what you need to.”
“I…” His eyes filled with water that threatened to release. His hands were stiff in mine as I waited to hear his words. “My love, there are no words I could say—your sacrifice pains me still.”
“Our sacrifice…”
He looked away, his arm rubbed at his eyes. His chest rapidly pulsed.
“I will give everything I can so that our future here is secure. Anything the stars ask of me—to protect you—to protect our future.”