Page 19 of A Storm of Fire and Ash

I woke up alone.

I didn’t blame the prince, though. He probably didn’t want to be caught slumming it with me in another man’s room.

Stretching my limbs while I sat up in bed, I was taken by surprise when my bedroom door suddenly slammed open, and in walked Kalista.

“Kalista! You scared me. What are you doing in here?” I asked, but she whizzed right past me, moving to the window and flinging open the blinds.

I almost forgot that Fintan mentioned she and Yara would be coming to my room to help me get ready. Even though I didn’t need or want the help.

I hissed as the sunlight poured into the room, filling every dark corner with harsh brightness. She then marched over and ripped the sheets off the bed, exposing my naked body beneath. For a fleeting moment, I tried to cover myself, confusion surging through me.

Kalista laughed, a sharp, mocking sound that cut through the air.

“Oh, please, like I have anything to worry about seeing you naked,” she scoffed, bunching up the sheets and tossing them carelessly onto the floor.

Her gaze returned to me, her expression filled with a mixture of disdain and amusement.

“Besides, when I fuck the Prince, I do it in his room.”

Her words landed like a physical blow to my chest, the breath escaping my lungs as I grappled with the weight. Why had I ever expected the prince to be interested in just me? He had mentioned he wasn’t with anyone since he met me, but her words clawed at my heart, igniting a flicker of doubt.

“Well, get up,” she gestured angrily, her impatience profound. “I’m not dressing you. Or doing your hair. You have hands, use them.”

The anger radiated off her in waves, and it unsettled me. I swung my legs over the edge of the bed and climbed to my feet, grabbing the nearest tunic and pulling it over my head. The familiar scent of Zayn clung to the fabric.

“Why do you hate me? What did I do to you?” I managed to ask, my voice cracking.

She wouldn’t meet my gaze, her eyes focused instead on the ground.

In a fit of frustration, she tossed a tray of muffins and coffee onto the small table by the window.

The coffee spilled, soaking into the muffin, turning it soggy and unappetizing.

Bitch.

“Thanks,” I muttered sarcastically.

Kalista’s voice dripped with contempt as she stepped closer to me, her towering figure looming over mine.

“You sicken me, Elara,” she spat, her words sharp as daggers.

With her striking blue eyes gleaming like frozen sapphires, she pierced me with a look filled with unbridled hatred.

“You waltz in here from the slums, and suddenly you find yourself as the prince’s leading choice?

! Just look at you; you are nothing. Once the Prince has had his fill, he will tire of you and come crawling back to me. I’m to be his Queen, not you!”

My nails dug into my palms.

The sting of her words ignited a burning sensation in my eyes, as tears threatened to spill over. I fought against the tide of emotion welling up inside me.

Do not cry! Do not let her win! I urged myself fervently.

But as I desperately wiped away the errant tears, a single droplet betrayed me, escaping down my cheek.

Kalista’s lips curled into a victorious grin. “Pathetic.” She shoved past me with a forceful nudge, her shoulder colliding with mine, before she stormed out the door with my dirty sheets in her arms.

Eryn had been leaning casually against the wall. She stepped into my room as soon as Kalista disappeared.

“Did you hear all of that?” I asked, my voice trembling slightly.

“Of course I did. Nothing escapes these Fae ears,” Eryn replied, gesturing to her elegantly rounded ears.

“I don’t understand what I did wrong. She is awful! I hate her,” I confessed, frustration spilling over.

“Hate is a strong word,” Eryn countered, a knowing look crossing her face. I shot her a warning glare, not wanting to endure a lecture on emotional restraint.

“Get dressed,” she commanded, eyeing me up and down with a critical gaze. “Wear something that at least resembles your own clothing. We’re going running. And then, I’m going to turn those scrawny noodles you call arms into something stronger,” she smirked.

“Where are we going running?” I inquired, rushing to gather my clothes before disappearing into the bathroom. “You’ve said I’m too fast; if anyone sees me, it might blow my cover.”

“I said you were too fast while in the castle, not that I couldn’t outrun you. You may be Royal Fae, but I’ve had much more time to hone my skills.” I stepped out of the bathroom, pulling my shirt down as I shot her a challenging look.

“Looks like you had some company last night,” I teased, slipping my feet into my boots and bending down to lace them up.

With a playful shove, Eryn sent me tumbling onto my ass. “Hey!” I exclaimed, laughter bubbling up as she joined in.

“A lady never kisses and tells…” she said through her chuckles.

I regained my footing.

“And it seems you had a rather eventful night with the prince,” she wiggled her eyebrows mischievously.

“A lady never kisses and tells,” I retorted, mimicking her, as she rolled her eyes in exaggerated exasperation.

We ran for what felt like hours, the relentless pounding of our feet against the earth echoing in my ears.

Every time I needed a break, Eryn refused to grant me one, her determination driving us forward.

If I complained, she thrust a heavy rock into my hands, forcing me to carry its weight while I stumbled onward.

And each time I tripped and fell, she mercilessly made me drop to the ground and do fifty push-ups.

Finally, we came to a stop near a cliff I had never seen before, the sheer drop-off causing a knot to form in my stomach.

As I leaned against a weathered tree trunk, my hamstrings felt as though they would snap at any moment, and my arms hung limply by my sides, aching from the countless push-ups and the burden of three hefty rocks.

Eryn, however, appeared completely unfazed. She leaned casually against a tree, a sheepish grin spreading across her face as she watched me struggle to catch my breath.

“When am I going to learn how to use my magic?” I gasped, desperation creeping into my voice.

“So impatient,” she teased, her eyes sparkling with mischief. I rolled my eyes at her flippant response. She continued, “Makar will work with you on that. I don’t have magic, seeing as I am a Non-Royal.”

“Isn’t Makar a Warlock, though?” I interjected, my curiosity piqued.

“Precisely. That’s why he will help you with yours. He isn’t Fae, but magic is still magic. It all works the same.”

I wiped the blood from my knee. I expected to wince from the potential sting, but I felt nothing. I realized the wound had almost healed completely and left behind only a small gash.

Eryn must’ve sensed my confusion, “Fae heal quickly.” I looked at my hands, which were still burnt and sore from the silver doors.

“Except for that,” Eryn gestured to my hands.

“We heal like humans do when it comes to silver. Unfortunately, those will probably scar.” This would take some time getting used to. ..

“When will Makar teach me how to use my magic?” I asked while peeling some of the bubbled skin off my palms.

“How about now?” a deep voice rumbled behind me, sending a shiver down my spine and the hairs on my neck standing on end as my heart practically dropped into my stomach.

I turned around to face him. He was tall, not quite as towering as the Prince or Zayn, but still imposing. He had long auburn hair and his amethyst eyes were unlike anything I’ve ever seen before. He was utterly captivating.

He stepped closer, flashing his teeth, and a rush of sensations flooded my body, overwhelming me with an inexplicable desire. I clenched my thighs tightly, needing to find release.

His sultry voice purred in my head, wrapping around my thoughts like a vice. “Pretty lil’ thing, aren’t you. You can feel me all over, can’t you? Feel me aching between your legs, begging me to take you.” His slight accent made him all the more appealing.

Good gods, I could come. I don’t know what the Hel he was doing, but I didn’t want him to stop.

An audible moan escaped my lips, and I covered my mouth quickly.

I shut my eyes tightly as another wave of pleasure coursed through my body.

“I know what you want, Elara. I know what you crave, what you need. Perhaps, you can warm my bed tonight?” I bit my lip, stopping myself from the drool that was about to spill past my lips.

He walked closer. “The prince is whom you desire…Perhaps the three of us could have some fun.” He paused, reaching out to trace my lips.

“Oh, wait, there is another you think about,” his voice teased as he whispered within my mind, as if our thoughts were intertwined.

My eyes flew open as he brought me closer to an orgasm. “Makar, quit being such a flirt and drop your influence,” Eryn chuckled.

Anger quickly replaced the bewildering yearning I had just felt. “What the fuck! Who do you think you are?” I yelled, pushing against his chest with all my strength. I couldn’t help but feel the muscle beneath my hands.

His expression revealed his surprise, a flicker of bewilderment crossing his features. “What can I say, I like to make a good first impression, and you,” he smirked and ran his tongue over his lower lip, “are a fucking treat.”

Anger, but also mad desire, filled me. I made a fist, and without thinking, I punched him as hard as I could. Nothing but the sound of my breaking bones in my hand filled the space between us. I screamed out in pain.

“Shit!” I held my hand to my chest.

“Leave the poor girl alone, Makar,” Eryn scolded, her tone light yet firm. “He likes to glamour attractive women, and men… makes it easier for him to sleep with whoever the Hel he wants to. Tried it on me once and I nearly killed him.” She approached us, her presence a grounding force.