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twenty-six

T he morning sky was a blushing pastel painting as I laid in Galen’s arms, soaking in the scene. Peony pink clouds watched from the heavens, while we luxuriated in our lavender haze.

A few strokes of his hand and I was ready for him. We found our pleasure quickly—anxious to claim each other before the day was upon us and real life resumed. We’d spent almost all of yesterday in bed, but today we couldn’t escape the realities of life.

“I’ll never tire of this. Of you.” Galen’s smile was radiant, reaching all the way to his eyes as they crinkled with joy.

It made my heart skip, to let these feelings settle, to let him in.

It was so new, so special. As the fear of intimacy retreated, a new one took its place.

The fear of losing this— this little ember that I wanted to cocoon and protect from any outsiders who might put it out.

I crawled on top of him as he attempted to peel away, refusing to let him leave.

“You little monkey. Don’t make this more difficult than it already is.” He pulled me closer, before rolling, until he had me pinned under him. “I’ll… come… find… you… when… I’m… free,” he said between kisses that started at my forehead and ended at my belly button.

I groaned as he stood up and began searching for his clothes. A shirt there, pants here, underwear tangled in the sheets. Once he was dressed, he came back over for one more kiss. “Have a good day, love. I’ll be thinking of you, until I see you again.”

The door clicked shut and I bit back a grin. I pulled the comforter up to my chin and cozied into the heat he’d left behind, before it disappeared as swiftly as he did .

I fell back asleep until Lusha woke me with a knock and a tray of tea and toast. It was like she could read my mind; breakfast in bed and a slow start to the morning was exactly what I wanted.

I sat up, staring at the unnecessary fire Galen had lit before he left.

I knew why he’d started it—it was a reminder of the fire that had burned between us all weekend.

I cooled the room with a steady breeze of ice magic until I had to wrap the covers around me.

In one weekend, everything had changed. Galen had claimed me; body and soul. Nothing about our relationship was going to be simple, but there was a warmth in my chest that flickered for him—that yearned for him even though he’d just left.

Were there things to work through? Yes… he was the Elder’s puppet and the son of a wretched woman—and that came with some horrendous truths. But he’d opened up to me, and I him. There was a new level of trust between us. Together, we’d find a path forward.

Deep in thought, I was startled by Rafael, who appeared at my bedside. He was overdressed in leather fighting gear, looking absolutely shameless as his eyes drank in the sight of me in bed… in a nightgown.

“It’s your first day of training. Time to get dressed,” he said like a drill sergeant.

I bared my teeth at him. “How dare you come into my room uninvited again . How dare you approach me after what you did to Galen. I should stab a dagger through your heart and leave you to bleed out,” I hissed, wringing the sheets that shielded me, pretending they were his neck.

“You could try.” He smiled, baiting me. I lunged for him and he deflected me easily, laughing as I fell to the ground. “I just saw him downstairs. He looked fine. In fact, he was glowing with health.” He rolled his shoulders back and stretched his neck from side to side.

“Get. Out.” I sent wind towards him, but he blocked it with minimal effort.

“Fine. I’ll go. Meet me at the stables in an hour—preferably in a better mood.” I flipped him off before he and his shadows disappeared.

I stood at the entrance to the large barn door leading into the stables as Rafael approached me. “We’re riding to a spot farther away to avoid any spying eyes. What I teach you stays between us. Anything discussed at our lessons is considered confidential. Understood?”

I nodded. I didn’t owe him any loyalty beyond common courtesy, but I would keep his secrets. They seemed to be all he had.

Hibiscus and Zagreus were saddled and waiting for us. “Why don’t I just saddle you up?” I snickered, surprised I was capable of joking with him after what he’d done, even if it was at his expense.

“You’re hilarious,” he said with a deadpan expression. “That was a onetime offer; sorry to disappoint.” There was a hint of humor in his black-rimmed eyes. His lashes were so voluminous, they looked lined with kohl. Beauty had been wasted on him.

We both mounted our horses and stood in silence, staring at each other. “After you,” I said impatiently.

“Oh yes, in Aurelius, it’s males first, isn’t it?” he purred, before taking off in a gallop.

I raced to keep up; Hibiscus seemed to love the sensation of flying as much as I did, stretching her neck as she thundered down the open field.

I leaned forward, scratching where fur met mane, as I distributed my weight evenly so she could run without hinderance.

We were neck and neck with Raf and Zag in no time.

He glanced at me with unmistakable surprise on his face, before he whispered something into Zag’s ear and shot ahead.

I thought about using my wind magic to slow them down, but decided I didn't want to startle the horses.

Instead, I settled into the ride. The cold air caused magic to buzz beneath my skin .

Tears streamed from my eyes in exhilaration. I needed more of this .

We slowed as we came upon a towering tree line and I followed Raf down a barely visible trail. Spanish moss hung from arching oak trees that swooped and curved into a wide canopy, covering us completely. We walked for a while before we entered a clearing.

The meadow was covered in tall grass and an array of wildflowers.

A sparkling pond shimmered in the distance, surrounded by magnolia trees with fat, white blossoms. Raf jumped off Zagreus and smacked his rump, signaling to him that he was free.

I followed his lead as I watched the horses make their way over to the water .

“What a beautiful grove. Do you usually get it to yourself?” I spun slowly as I admired it. Orange flowers swayed in the breeze, releasing a sweet, spicy scent. It was so private… so lush.

Raf’s face held a content, thoughtful expression, making me wonder if this was his happy place. “Nobody knows about it except for me… and now you. I created it awhile back. I needed a place I could train in private. I don’t like the family to know my business.”

I inhaled sharply, peering at him in disbelief. “You created it? How? With your earth magic? I thought everything you grew was black.”

One man… had made all of this?

“I can blend my shadows and earth magic together if I want to, but I’m perfectly capable of growing plants without help from shadow magic.”

“ The power to create… and destroy,” he’d once said when describing his magic.

“You’ve left me speechless…”

“I didn’t think that was possible,” he mused.

A frown returned to my face. “You should learn to take a compliment,” I snapped back.

We watched the horses wade through the water as they cooled down.

Curiosity eased my temper… I’d been wondering about something.

“This might be a silly question, but can you communicate with horses?” Shape shifting magic hadn’t been explained to me beyond the basics, but he had a unique relationship with Zag. They seemed to understand each other.

“It’s perfectly fine to ask questions—you’re new to this.

As all of us were, at one point,” he said with a warm smile that contradicted his otherwise cool demeanor.

“While I’m in my shifted form, I can speak mind-to-mind with other shifters, as well as other animals that have an interest in talking to me.

When I’m in my Fae form, horses seem to understand most of what I say. But they don’t talk back.”

“So… why doesn’t Hibiscus like you?”

He gave a wry grin. “You’ll see soon enough.”

“And you’ll help me find my animal form?”

“I’ll try. It’ll take time. Your magic will decide when you’re ready. I found it helpful to spend time with the creatures I’m naturally drawn to when I was searching for mine. I studied their physical forms; how fetlock meets hoof, for example. And their behavior—what motivates them. ”

We watched the horses romp, kicking up dust, while I listened to him.

“Some people don’t get the opportunity to interact with their pneuma, their spirit animal.

It can take them longer to learn how to shift.

Louis, for example, has probably never come across the animal he’ll shift into.

The magic will eventually help him on his path…

Connecting with your spirit animal is about trusting your instincts and thinking like a beast. I understand that might be a big ask, for a delicate Princess, such as yourself. ”

I was in no mood to banter with him, but I couldn’t resist saying, “I bet that part comes naturally to you. Pig .”

His eyes sharpened, lingering on me before returning to the horses.

“During our time together, we’ll practice more advanced magic.

We won’t sit back while the Elders and Sylvia decide how to use you.

You and I—we’re stronger than all of them combined.

We make our own magic; they have to steal theirs.

When we find the missing humans and take them back to Erador, we’ll take their magic with us.

It’ll be a crippling blow to the Kingdom. ”

I met his smoldering gaze. He’d been planning their downfall for a while—long before I’d arrived.

My stomach turned, thinking of what Galen had said about the Elders.

I hated that I’d found myself in the middle of their brotherly feud, but if they wouldn’t talk to each other, then I’d have to be their mediator.

“Galen told me that the Elders are more dangerous than we realize; he implied that they have tricks up their sleeve that we don’t know about.”

Raf’s lip curled before it dropped into a neutral frown—because a frown was the natural state of his face.

“Has anyone ever told you that you have resting prick face ?” I smiled at him sweetly.

“Excuse me?”

“You should try smiling more. It’s better for your wrinkles. You’re over a century old now, yeah? You might want to start thinking about a skin care routine that doesn’t involve scowling all the time.”

He crossed his arms, giving me a ghost of a smile.

“Thanks for the advice… as for the Elders, all we can do is try and work around them. And continue to spy on them, though it’s almost pointless without access into any of their homes or studies.

If only their wards weren’t so strong—strong enough that not even I can break them.

So yes—I’m aware how powerful th ey are. ”

I rocked back on my heels and said, “Just wanted you to have all the information…”

Even though you don’t deserve it.

“Thank you—truly. Like I said, you and I are stronger together. And despite what you think, I was just trying to protect you the other day…” He trailed off, avoiding my gaze.

“Do you always break arms and ask questions later, when you’re trying to protect someone?” Now I was the one crossing my arms.

He sighed. “No, it’s just… Galen and I have history. Anyways, I’m sorry. I’m not sorry for what I did to him, but I’m sorry for upsetting you.”

I pursed my lips, unsure of how to respond. “Thanks for the apology.”

He gave a curt nod. “Let’s get started. I’m going to shift… and I want you to pay attention to how your magic responds.” He stood back and took off his jacket, throwing it to the ground. My eyes grew wide in silent question.

Not missing a beat, he answered, “The magic allows us to keep our clothes when we change shape—it hides them in some separate dimension, until we shift back.” His mouth curved into a cocky smile. “I was just getting hot… but I can continue stripping, if you’d like.” I glared back, unamused.

“I don’t understand how it works, but that’s magic for you. It requires a leap of faith.” With that, he shifted, never breaking eye contact.

I watched as hands turned to hooves and his body contorted into the shape of a dark horse. It was so fast that I couldn’t get a grasp of how things shifted… just that they had.

“You changed too fast. I could barely process it,” I complained, before falling silent as I admired his equine form.

It was my first time seeing it in the daylight.

His obsidian black fur seemed to swallow the sun’s light.

But from the corner of my eye, I could see a rainbow of colors in his coat, like a black bird that only looked black at first glance.

Our eyes weren’t complex enough to see the range of colors that birds could see—I’d read that somewhere.

I wondered what he looked like to a bird.

Rafael tossed back his head before running towards the other horses, bucking and charging, until they all ran a lap around me.

I laughed in delight. Magic was wonderful— the best thing that had ever happened to me.

He trotted over to me; his long, wavy mane hung over his brows, just like it did in his faerie form.

Perhaps I was a horse too… I’d always been drawn to them. My stomach flipped as he walked over and blew hot air in my face. “Thanks for that,” I grimaced, wiping my cheeks with the back of my hand.

Inches from me, he shifted back. We stood nose to nose.

Pin-pricks of sensation tingled along my arms, along my legs.

My magic was trying to rise to the surface, but I panicked and squashed it down, stepping away from him.

He stared at me as if he could see right through me.

It made me uneasy. And he was far too close.

“You know… I’m surprised your pneuma is a horse. Your temperament has always suggested something… moodier . Something more dangerous.” I shivered at the power that rolled off him in dark, rippling waves.

He paused, and just for a moment, his mask dropped. I’d stunned him with my observation. “What is it?” I asked, my voice catching in my throat.

“I want to share something with you. But I know you hate me. Would it be foolish of me to trust you?”