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Louis’s voice dropped to a whisper. “As for you… I don’t think the Elders have found out what you are yet, but even when they do, they won’t kill you.

To them, a world walker is much more valuable than a dead hybrid.

A world walker creates infinite possibilities.

They’re at least predictable in their motives; gaining and keeping power is what drives them. ”

The faeries could’ve broken this curse long ago, if they’d been allowed to mate with humans. Intolerance shaped this society, and now it was buckling in on itself—because of a self-perpetuating sickness —because of a hateful policy that helped no one, except for the Queen and her council.

Louis called on his water magic, swirling it around us until we were encased in a thin bubble.

“This is a shield. Once you learn to wield magic, you’ll want to use one whenever you’re discussing a sensitive topic.

There are spies everywhere. Usually the smallest creatures make the best spies. Always be on your guard.”

His eyes darted towards the birds that sat on the columns, then scanned the rest of our surroundings before asking, “Are we on the same team?”

I tilted my head, meeting his hard gaze. “What do you mean?”

“Are we in agreement that my mother is unfit to rule? That she needs to be stopped? ”

My mouth fell open. “Yes… if you’re asking if I’m on your side or Sylvia’s, then the answer is yours . Respectfully, Louis, your mother is a lunatic.”

“That’s why I’m so funny—all the trauma.

” He grinned, before his face grew dour.

“The Elders are a group of six faeries that were all born on Erador. Faeries continue to grow in strength as they age, so they’re all extremely powerful.

They’ve acted as the council for the royal family since before the crossing.

They’re particularly involved with criminal justice and human-faerie relations.

They haven’t been chosen by the people, but instead arrived on this world with power and have continued to keep it.

My mother is fully aligned with their mission to keep Fae lines pure.

My grandmother is one of the six, and she taught my mother to look down on…

well, most people, but especially humans.

Their prejudice has gone unchecked since my father died.

And now their leadership threatens us all. Raf and I want to see their reign end.”

I stared at him, pleasantly surprised. I hadn’t expected treason from Louis. And against his own mother. “And how do you plan to do that?”

“We’ll need your help. And you’ll need to learn how to use your magic. Quickly. There is more, but we aren’t in an ideal setting to discuss details. Rafael will find you when the time is right and tell you the rest.”

I lit up with hope at his words. Princes with power and persuasion, who also dreamed of a better world; I suddenly felt less alone.

“I’ll help you.” I paused, furrowing my brow. “What of your other brother? Is he not to be trusted? If you overthrow your mother, will he become King?”

Louis swallowed, throat bobbing, as he stared at the ground.

“Galen is in a difficult position. He’s been groomed to be King, which means he’s often stuck in the middle of political arguments between the family.

He actively works with the Elders, as heir to the throne, but he has no voice at the table.

Our mother tests his loyalty—expects him to prove himself to the Crown.

I wouldn’t wish to trade places with him. ”

My mouth went dry and my chest suddenly felt tight.

Louis noticed my expression and said, “It gets worse, unfortunately. Arnold is one of the six Elders. The entire council is encouraging a marriage between Galen and Isla to keep the royal family linked to the council. It’s too risky to tell him anything.

Who knows what he might confide to her—and in turn, what she’d tell her father. ”

My heart skipped a beat when he mentioned Isla. I’d encouraged Galen to pursue her. The sweltering sun beared down on me as I chewed my nails, wracked with guilt. “So if you wage war against the Elders and your mother… what will he do?”

Louis sighed. “Only Galen can decide that, when the time comes.”

I felt sick to my stomach. But what was to be done?

I couldn’t let my feelings for him distract me from getting home—and I really didn’t want to end up in the middle of their family feud.

Louis had confirmed what I already knew; I couldn’t get involved with Galen.

And I had to get stronger . This world was getting more dangerous by the second.

I cleared the lump in my throat and said, “Please… tell me how I can access this magic that apparently runs through my veins. I’m sick of feeling useless.”

Louis’s frown curved into an impish grin. “Happily. Did you bring your blood sacrifice? It’s required the first time you wield. A rabbit or kitten will do.”

I gawked at him, speechless.

He cackled, leaning over and slapping his knees. “I’m kidding. I just needed a laugh after all that heavy talk. You should’ve seen your face.”

I glared at him before punching him in the arm. “Not funny.”

“I beg to differ,” he laughed, then took a deep breath.

“Magic is as ancient as the universe—at least, that’s what faeries think.

We believe magic created our worlds. It also created six gods to rule the worlds.

Gods created us and through them, through the universe, we’ve been gifted with the ability to wield magic. ”

I had a difficult time believing in the gods, but I also would’ve never believed in magic. My mind was more open than it had ever been. Anything was possible.

“There’s a cost to spending energy. If you run ten miles, your body will need water, food, and rest to recuperate.

It’s no different with magic. Fae bodies are powerful conduits, capable of channeling a large amount of energy.

If you use more magic than your body can handle, you’ll burn out and die.

Luckily, we’re well designed. Our bodies are quick to build muscle—to recover from physical activity. And we’re difficult to kill.

“We also have more evolved senses than humans. You might not think so in your current state, but it sounds like you haven’t had many opportunities to test your skills.

Perhaps that was on purpose… maybe so meone didn’t want you to know what you are.

You must train your body to hone your senses.

Fitness and endurance are the most important parts of training.

The stronger you are, the more magic you can safely wield. ”

Had Ophelia purposefully kept me in the dark?

For so many years I hadn’t known why I’d been so sheltered—more so than most women in Aurelius, which was saying something.

In turn, I’d pushed against the restraints however I could.

Had she been trying to prevent me from learning that I was different?

If so, it hadn’t worked. I’d always felt like a misfit.

And the loneliness I’d felt from being isolated and overprotected had been excruciating.

Louis continued. “There are six types of elemental magic. Earth, Wind, Water, Ice, Fire, and Shadow. Each element was created by a god. The god who protects and guides me is Sivo, ruler of water. He has gifted a sliver of his power to me and all other water wielders. I’ll channel his magic until I turn to dust and my power cycles back to him. ”

“I know of the gods,” I said, happy to finally know something. “Most of my people have lost faith in them though. You have proof that they exist?”

“Proof of the gods?” Louis raised his brows at me. “You need more proof than magic ?”

“I-I… don’t see why they’d bless faeries with so many more gifts than their human counterparts—if we both originate from the same place. It doesn’t seem right.”

“Ah,” Louis said softly. “Well, faeries would consider a human’s ability to breed easily and often a gift that we don’t possess. Who’s to say we have more gifts? We’re the ones who’ve been exiled and cursed, after all.”

I didn’t bother arguing about it, so Louis went on.

“Most faeries can channel an element—some can wield multiple. Fire, ice, and shadow are more… volatile than other types of magic. They can overtake an undisciplined wielder. Magic can kill its master if not properly harnessed.” He emphasized the point with a stern expression.

“And then of course, there’s our shifting abilities. All faeries have an animal form—a pneuma . It manifests when it decides to. I cannot shift yet, but my brothers can.”

“ Pneuma…” I repeated, letting the foreign word roll of my tongue.

“Yes, it translates to spirit animal in the language of the Fae. ”

“Will you tell me what your brothers are?” I asked, trying to feign only mild interest.

I imagined they were both sharp-toothed predators. I thought of the deliberate way Galen stalked me before he’d seduced me last night. My skin prickled as the flash backs threatened to make me flush.

“No. They'll show you if and when they want to. What if you were to shift and become a butterfly? You’d be an easy target and viewed as inferior to many. Some faeries will proudly display their animal form, while others will never reveal it. Pneumas can become status symbols—another way to divide our already fragile social system. It also takes considerable magic to shift back and forth. What was once as natural as breathing is considered a luxury for many now.”

“When do Fae typically learn how to shift?”

Louis flashed me a look I couldn’t quite read. “Most can shift after puberty—around eighteen years old. I’m not sure what the gods have in store for me, but they seem to be insisting on my patience.”

“You believe the gods decide what your animal form is?”