Page 7 of Sun, Moon & Shadow (Fate of Aemoria #1)
Nova struggled to open her eyes. Through half-closed lids, a blurry canopy of golden leaves took shape above her.
She tried to sit up, realizing with a start that she was unable to move.
Dread covered her like a thick blanket, heavy and suffocating.
Forcing her eyes open wider, she scanned her periphery, searching for the source of the unpleasant sensation.
She was in bed, her head propped up on a pillow.
A quick glance to the left and right revealed wooden walls hung with ornate tapestries.
Woven landscapes of orange-hued forests and innocently grazing deer.
The lavish chamber was unfamiliar, but she saw nothing to explain the unease blooming within her chest.Her gaze traveled slowly to the foot of the bed.
Wispy threads of black mist flicked over the footboard like snakes’ tongues.
Nova opened her mouth to scream, but the sound caught in her throat.
A flash of movement drew her attention beyond the edge of the bed to the far corner of the room.
A swirling black mass loomed there, flickering in and out of focus.
It had no defined shape and made no attempt to come closer, but Nova sensed the darkness was watching her.
All at once, she woke and regained the ability to move.
She sat straight up in bed, chest heaving, skin prickling with sweat, fingers digging into the coverlet.
She found herself sitting atop a wooden four-poster bed with thick velvet curtains tied at each corner with golden tassels.
Leaves embroidered in gold thread fanned out across the canopy overhead.
A low fire crackled pleasantly on the hearth of a gray stone fireplace. No menacing shadow figures to be found.
Fractured memories flashed in her mind. Her transformation.
Falling from Frost and striking her head.
The lycane.Her heartbeat quickened as she relived her struggle against the creature, recalling the sickening crunch of her bones under its forceful paws, its razor-sharp claws slicing through her flesh.
It was as if all the air had been sucked out of the room, and, for a moment, she worried she might faint.
Sliding off the edge of the bed onto wobbly legs, she staggered to a gilded mirror hanging on the wall.
Bracing her hips against the chest of drawers, she slipped the fabric of her silk nightdress off her left shoulder.
In the reflection, four pearly lines, each one the width of her little finger, marred the otherwise immaculate plane of her back.
Scars .
Straightening to face the mirror, her hands flew to her scalp to check her other wound. She stilled as she registered the reflection staring back at her from within the mirror.
She almost didn’t recognize herself. Her hair was full and lush, the darkest shade of black she’d ever seen.
Her fair skin glowed faintly, and the tips of her ears tapered into delicate points.
Her irises were light gray and ringed in silver, her gaze now infinitely more piercing than it had been before.
Hands trembling, Nova gingerly traced the lines of her new face.
She spun at the turn of the doorknob behind her.
A young Fae female stood in the doorway, palms held out in front of her.
Slightly shorter than Nova and fair-skinned, her fiery auburn hair was half up and intricately braided, displaying her own pointed ears.
A fine ankle-length dress, maroon velvet with sheer sleeves embellished with beaded leaves,hugged her slender frame.
Nova stared at the female without speaking, her breathing fast and shallow. Closing her eyes, she swallowed hard, willing her body into a disguise of composure.
“Callan,” she demanded. “Where is he?”
“He’s been to check on you several times, but I believe he’s training at the moment. I’m Fawn,” the female said, laying a hand on her chest and taking several slow steps forward. Her soft brown eyes were doe-like, large and expressive.
“H-how long have I been asleep? My wounds have healed.” Nova assumed it must have been weeks, if not longer.
“It’s been three days. It’s quite remarkable, really.” Fawn’s voice swam with enthusiasm. “You’re descended from Sonnend, the Solar Court, which is known for its healers. Though, I confess, I’ve never seen anyone heal as quickly as you have.”
“Is this Sonnend?” Nova gestured vaguely to the room around her.
“No, darling. You’re in Pyralis.”
Fawn’s kindness filled the chamber like a physical presence, practically palpable.
“When you’re feeling up to it, I’d be happy to give you a geography lesson. And a history lesson. I’m sure you have many questions about the Fae Realm.”
“Your offer is very kind.”
“It’s no bother. I’ve always been a bit of a know-it-all,” Fawn said, approaching Nova with measured steps until she stood within arm’s reach. “I’d love to learn about humans, if you’d be willing to teach me,” she added, practically giddy.
“Yes, well, I suppose I was never truly human.” Nova glanced quickly at the mirror and the unfamiliar face reflected there before turning back to Fawn. “But I could tell you about their customs and beliefs, if you’d like.”
“It’s lovely to finally meet you.” Fawn placed a gentle hand on Nova’s forearm, the touch warm and comforting. “You must be starving. Let’s get you fed. Everything is better with a full stomach.”
As if on cue, a maid entered the room, a tray of food balanced in her hands.
She placed the tray on the edge of the bed and backed away with a quick curtsy.
Fawn acknowledged the maid with a gracious nod before turning back and motioning for Nova to sit on the bed.
Then she lowered herself onto the wooden chair at the bedside and smoothed her hands over her lap.
Once settled, Fawn flicked her wrist, and the fire flared on the hearth, burning brighter as if she’d poured hog fat over the flames.
Nova’s eyes went wide at the casual display of magic.
But even the existence of magic couldn’t distract her from the gnawing emptiness in her stomach.
Nova turned her attention to the tray, piled high with roasted chicken, rosemary potatoes, braised carrots, and fresh bread.
The aroma instantly set her mouth watering.
She ate greedily, too overcome with hunger to concern herself with manners.
She gulped down a mug of cold cider as Fawn sat quietly, biting her lip in what Nova assumed was an attempt not to laugh.
When she was through, Nova dragged the back of her hand across her mouth, clearing her throat demurely.
“Better?” Fawn asked with a hint of a chuckle.
“Yes, much.”
“Why don’t you have a bath?” Fawn rose, leading the way into the attached bathing chamber. She filled the large copper soaking tub in the center of the wood-paneled room with steaming water. A pleasant, spicy scent filled the air.
Shrugging off her silk nightdress, Nova made a clumsy attempt to climb over the edge of the tub. She cursed under her breath, embarrassed by her coltish movements as she wobbled on foreign-feeling limbs. Fawn offered a hand, but Nova waved her off.
“I can manage,”she said, trying to assure herself as much as Fawn.
After a moment of difficulty, Nova sank into the luxurious bath. Fawn excused herself, promising to return once Nova had finished.
Alone in the quiet of the bathing chamber, Nova slid down the tub until she was completely submerged, cocooned in the deliciously hot water.
She opened her eyes and watched the small bubbles escaping from her nose dart to the surface.
Squeezing her eyes shut, she held her breath until her lungs burned.
The sensation was oddly comforting, the pain serving as proof she was alive.
Bursting through the surface a moment later, she gulped down a deep, cleansing breath, smoothing her hands over the crown of her head and down her shoulders.
Her fingertips grazed the raised lines of the fresh scars on her back—a permanent reminder of what she had survived.
Nova opened an amber bottle and poured sweet-smelling soap into her hands.
As she scrubbed roughly at her scalp, she took stock of her current situation.
While her physical transformation had been instantaneous when she crossed the Boundary, it would take time to acclimate to the ways of the Fae Realm.
She needed to tread carefully as she learned as much as possible about the Fae folk and their customs. She questioned how much she could rely on the accuracy of her beloved faerie stories.
Nova dunked beneath the water and rinsed her hair clean. Rising out of the water, she grabbed a towel and tousled her hair before wrapping the downy fabric around her torso. She managed to step out of the tub on her own, a bit unsteady on her feet, but determined.
Three gowns lay draped over the edge of the bed when she returned to the chamber.
After a quick inspection, Nova settled on the least extravagant option, a cinnamon-colored day dress with a fitted bodice and straps that fell off the shoulder.
A gentle knock came on the door, and Fawn entered just as Nova finished fastening the row of tiny buttons on the front of the bodice.
“The color suits you,” Fawn said, adjusting the drape of the straps. “I’ll bring you to the seamstress for some gowns of your own. Until then, you may borrow anything of mine you like.”