Page 70 of Cursed Evermore

How old was he to have such power?

It seemed to be the kind of power you’d spend a lifetime mastering. Decades or more.

Like a lot of things I’d sensed about Wolfe, there was something ancient about that power. But it was dark with no room for light. The worst part was he looked like he was holding back.

I was aware the Fae were immortal, but I didn’t know how they aged. Surely, he couldn’t be any older than Thayden. Maybe a year or two older, give or take. The beard made him look more mature, but his smooth skin maintained a youthful look.

What did I know? It was foolish to reason like I understood anything about those from the magical realm. I didn’t. Not even close.

Finally, Wolfe stopped before an ornate door that seemed out of place amidst the timeworn design of the vessel.

He opened the door, turned and looked at me, and as I stared at his face, I couldn’t forget the terrifying transformation I’d witnessed earlier.

“After you, my Lady.” He gestured for me to enter, a mockery of chivalry from a being who had just revealed himself to be something from mankind's oldest nightmares.

Steeling my spine, I stepped forward and walked into what could only be described as a cross between a war room and a study.

The circular chamber had walls lined in dark wood paneling that gleamed with a polish that seemed almost wet in the low light.

A massive table dominated the center, its surface carved from a single slab of walnut wood that reflected the ceiling like a dark mirror.

Star charts and maps hung on the wall behind with details of constellations and territories I didn't recognize. Next to them were old leatherbound books onfloating shelvesthat defied gravity, their spines marked with symbols instead of titles.

The scent of magic hung thick in the air here. Even the floating books seemed to whisper, their pages rustling with secrets they wanted to share.

This room displayed more magic than I’d ever seen, and yet the setup reminded me of my father. He would have loved this.

I was just like him. If these were different circumstances, I would have liked to get a better look at the books. But these were not normal circumstances.

“Sit,” Wolfe commanded, and a chair pulled itself out for me, the wood groaning as if it were a living thing.

It was strange to see magic being used so casually. It was also fascinating to see it used so freely, without care for restriction and fear of witch hunters or people like Chancellor Blackthorne and Friar Jameson.

But we were still in the mortal realm, where magic was very much forbidden.

My guess was Wolfe had used low-level magic that was subtle enough to slip past detection from the Sentinels. Then again, I doubted beings like Wolfe Nightblade gave a damn about laws. And I had the sinking feeling not many dared to challenge him.

I sank into the chair and rested my hands on the table. Wolfe lowered into the chair at the other end so that he was facingme. The amber light above cast an eerie glow across his features, enhancing the seriousness in his expression.

As we stared at each other, the room felt like it was breathing around us, expanding and contracting in rhythm with the weight of the tension.

It was hard to look at him like this, staring him in the face, and not think of the way he touched me the other night. But more than anything the memory infuriated me.

“Where are you taking me?” I spoke first, deciding I needed to know the answer to that question before we got into any other discussion.

“Galaythia.”

My breath hitched.Gods. “Galaythia? As in the Galaythia inVaelthorne the magical realm?”

“The one and only.”

Three-days by sea. It made sense now.

Father never really spoke about the distance it took to get to the magical realm, because when he was assigned there, he was gone for months.

How I dreamed of going there someday. But not like this. The timing couldn’t have been worse. My family needed me.

“I have to go back to Stormfell. I’m getting married in two weeks.” I tried to sound as firm and confident as I could, but the devil disarmed me with that terrible, beautiful smile I'd come to fear.