Page 69

Chapter 69

Saelyn

I WAS FOURTEEN AND I WAS CLEVER

Felgren winters were short, but unforgiving.

My younger self had been out here, practicing magic alone and unsupervised before Pah - Pah found me, giving me a scolding for using magic when I was supposed to wait calmly to learn.

“ My mother didn’t let me practice my power, ” I admitted, folding my arms across my chest. “ She was trying to keep you from knowing anything about me. ”

“ Unfortunately , she succeeded, ” the Blightress agreed. “ All I knew was that you had the power to reverse time. ” An icy smile crossed her lips as fourteen year old me did just that, taking back the spell to heal the frozen plant and taking back the scolding Pah - Pah had warned would come if my mother knew. “ But only by a few moments. I guessed it was you who had discovered it within yourself. ” She hummed. “ Adaynth always did have the knack for creating spells of his own. ”

I started. “ Adaynth ? The first Baron of Felgren ? ”

“ Your mother has not told you everything, then. ”

I bit my lip. “ What does he have to do with me? ”

Her eyes swept to mine, dark with secrets I didn’t know were hidden. “ Adaynth was the father of my child. And I have long suspected he played a part in the power you’ve been given, Saelyn . ”

Upon her voicing my name, we flashed away again.

My last chance loomed ahead.

The first memory I had of my name being called on the wind was coming closer, and I needed to make it count.