Page 3

Chapter

Two

I made my way home as quickly as possible, as if a phantom wind carried me, beads of sweat cresting my brow as I reached our mailbox.

My hand shook uncontrollably as I fumbled for the latch of the worn wood.

Dad and I had built this mailbox, something I’d suggested we do in an attempt to get him out of the house after we’d lost Mom.

My hands had been so small, I’d barely been able to hold the hammer.

The laugh I’d heard from him as I attempted to hit the nail had been the first in close to a year.

Reaching inside, I grabbed the few envelopes I found there.

Junk, junk, a letter from Aunt Addie, junk .

There was nothing. The dream I’d built for myself on the walk back evaporated as quickly as the dew on the grass.

I shouldn’t have been surprised; humans were seldom invited.

Every few years, someone from Escalia receives an invitation.

Soon after, it would always be determined that they possessed Fae heritage, no matter how far back.

I closed the box and made my way along the dirt path to the door.

Our front door, famous in the neighborhood for its large crack through its center, was open as I approached.

I locked this. Pushing lightly, the door squeaked as I saw a clearer picture of what was inside.

The opening of cupboards sounded from the kitchen as a petite brown-haired woman reached for a mug.

“Hey, Bri.”

Flora, Kadian’s sister, had made it a habit to stop by every day.

It was a small comfort, something I could find a bit of peace in.

“Hey, Flo.”

As I was beginning to take my coat off, I heard Flora from the kitchen murmur, “I wouldn’t do that if I were you. I would turn around and head right to Kadian’s. I made a pit stop at his place on the way here. He apparently has some news that he can ‘ only share once I’ve told Brida .’” Flora rolled her eyes.

Glancing at the clock that hung on the wall, I made a note.

“I won’t be more than an hour,” I said.

Turning back from the door, I reached into my pocket, retrieving the packets of herbs.

“Would you mind putting this in the kitchen? Vager stopped by this morning.”

“Will do!”

Kadian’s family had always been close to mine, our mothers having been friends.

Even though Flora was a few years older than Kadian and me and had been away at school for the last few years, she’d been a wonderful help to me in the past month.

“I won’t be long.”

“Just go, Brida. Happy to help!”

I thanked her silently as I closed the door behind me.

Kadian’s was a ten-minute walk along the outskirts of town.

He and I had finished university this past week.

I’d taken the few moments of free time we’d had over the past months to plan our annual trip, but instead of a few days away somewhere, we’d decided to take a longer trip to celebrate.

Then, well, our lives were supposed to have begun.

After climbing the narrow, uneven steps to Kadian’s floor, I paused to take in the familiar, worn surroundings.

The building seemed like it had been forgotten by time, barely clinging to itself with sagging ceilings and peeling wallpaper that flaked onto the threadbare carpet.

The banister wobbled with the slightest touch, and I swore the entire structure creaked under its own weight, like an old man groaning with every movement.

When I finally reached his door, I raised my hand and knocked as loudly as I could, the sound echoing down the quiet hall.

The door had been patched so many times it was more patchwork than wood, and I could feel the rattle of the frame beneath my knuckles.

Ruffling through my bag, I searched for the key he’d given me.

The apartment didn’t have wards on the doors, just plain old-fashioned keys.

Most of Escalia embraced this simplicity, with most of its residents being human.

“There you are,” I muttered.

It had made its way into my book, my favorite book, The Trials of Thale .

I’d always been a reader, thanks to my mother, but Addie had ensured it once Mom was gone.

The door creaked as I pushed it open, turning to close it and remove the key from the hole.

I was surprised when I heard laughing from behind me.

Sitting on a worn leather chair in his living room by the window sat my best friend, half-naked—thankfully the top half.

Following his gaze, I found him staring at a piece of parchment in his hands.

“You summoned me,” I jested, tossing my bag onto the hardwood floor.

It was surprisingly visible this morning.

Sitting across from him, I took in the furrowed brow and the tight set of his jaw.

Gone was the easy smile, replaced by a stern gaze that bore into the paper.

The lines on his face seemed etched deeper, his eyes more focused, and the once carefree air around him had given way to a palpable sense of purpose.

“ Ahem ,” I finally said.

Kadian, to my surprise, looked shocked when he lifted his eyes to me.

“Bri, when did you get here?”

“Are you serious?” I scoffed.

“I just about broke down your door, spoke to you as I came in just now, sat in front of you, and you had no idea? Did you have an eventful night?” I looked around the room to see if any evidence remained of a party or a guest. To my shock, I found none.

“Sorry,” he whispered.

“I got lost in this.”

Kadian rose and made his way toward me, handing me the parchment as he loomed above me.

My fingers traced the edges of the blood-red seal.

Immediately, my eyes shot to Kadian.

“How?”

“Read it.”

Dear Citizen,

We are pleased to announce the commencement of this year's Courting. This annual event marks the opportunity for new candidates to vie for a place among the four esteemed Courts of Azmeer. On the tenth day of the sixth month at the eleventh bell, please proceed to your nearest designated transportation point, listed below. Wind Walkers will be present to assist you, though you are welcome to arrange your own travel if preferred.

Upon arrival, you will be presented with the first task.

We look forward to welcoming you to Azmeer.

“Say something, Brida,” Kadian said.

I couldn’t speak, breath caught in my throat. An invitation. He’d received an invitation to the Courting.

“It was hand delivered this morning by a Walker. He mentioned that more than one person had been selected from Escalia this year…” Pausing, his eyes rose to meet mine. “I was hoping the other person was you.”

The lump in my throat only continued to grow as the tightness in my chest felt that it would cause me to cease breathing.

Placing the parchment down next to me, I rubbed my sweaty palms along my thighs. Gods, don’t do it. The earnest look in his eyes made my heart twist. Don’t be foolish. The words clawed their way up my throat, and before I knew it, I was speaking.

“I got one too!” I blurted out. My stomach churned. I’d never lied before, and the thought of doing it again made me want to be sick.

“You got one too? I knew it!” Kadian beamed, his smile lighting up the room like the sun cresting the horizon.

Of course, I didn’t get one; I’m human.

“Sure did!” There. I had just done it again. What’s wrong with me? Stop lying to him .

“This is going to be amazing, Bri! The Courting, I can’t believe it.”

“I can't either.” I forced a smile, feeling the lie settle uncomfortably in my chest.

“Hey, are you sure you’re okay? You’re looking a bit ashen.”

I was sure I was. Although I’m not sure how much fairer my pale complexion could be. “I’m fine,” I smiled. Grabbing the paper, I read the note again.

Within seconds, I felt the cushion sink deeper. “Do you know what this means, Bri?” Kadian said, wrapping his arm around me. “It means that we’re finally getting out of here.” His constant grinning told me just how excited he was by the prospect.

Kadian had been my only true friend growing up, the one person I could always count on. We promised each other that whenever one of us left, we’d go together. I never planned to hold him to that promise, but now, as the moment approached, I couldn't imagine a future without him by my side.

“A Courting, Kad,” I whispered as if the peeling white paint on the walls could hear us. Kadian had hated this room at first, but months of saving had allowed him to decorate it with the chair and couch we managed to get for nearly half the vendor's original price.

The vendor had mistaken us for a newlywed couple, and Kadian hadn’t corrected him, not wanting to lose the deal, though it was the furthest thing from the truth.

Now, all this furniture, our possessions, would be left behind.

I hadn’t realized what was happening until Kadian wiped the tears from my cheek.

Turning my face towards him, our eyes locked.

“I’m scared,” I admitted.

I am scared. Scared of losing my best friend and leaving my father behind, but most of all, I was terrified of failing to secure an invitation of my own.

Little was known about the Courting beyond what we had learned in seminars .

“ The courts are what make our world thrive. All law and magic stem from them. Even the king is often beholden to their will. ”

To shape how the world is run, to organize and influence its structure, to rise to a position of power and wield magic—magic that could potentially save Dad.

I need to get an invitation.

“You’ll be fine, Brida.” Kadian leaned toward me.

The familiar aroma of fresh earth and pine needles brought a calm that eased the tightness in my chest. Kadian had always been my safe place, my home.

“Vale is going to be so excited for you,” Kadian squeezed my hand as if he could read my thoughts.

“We’ll make sure he’s taken care of, Bri. I can ask Flora to stay with him while we’re gone.”

“That’s a big ask, Kadian.”

“Nah, she loves Vale. She’d be happy to do it. She may have already offered when I showed her my invitation and proclaimed that I knew you’d gotten one, too.”

Well, she lied to me this morning .

Apparently, everyone is doing it today .

The pain from the cracking of my heart seared through me, a sharp, raw ache that felt like it was slicing through my chest. It was as if each beat was reminding me of what I could lose, the hurt spreading through me with every thump.

I could hardly catch my breath.

“I’m going to read up on everything,” I said, wiping the dampness from my eyes.

My voice was steady, but my determination was even firmer.

“I’m going to try to learn everything there is to know about these courts before our arrival.”

Lately, my nights had been consumed with research.

After my father had fallen asleep, I would sit by the flickering light of a single candle, poring over texts and scrolls.

My focus was on herbs and their properties—each leaf, root, and flower seemed to hold a universe of secrets.

I studied the nuances of their effects, how they could be combined, and the intricate process of brewing teas that might offer remedies.

Reading was my sanctuary, a haven where the chaos of my daily life melted away.

In our small-town library, the musty smell of old books was a comfort, and the rustling pages were my escape.

Every book I read was a step closer to mastering the knowledge I needed.

Even in the limited spare time I had, I devoured every scrap of information, driven by a thirst for understanding.

Kadian laughed. “I’d expect nothing less from you. Gives you something to do in the few weeks until we leave.” Gods he’s right .

It’s only a few weeks away.

Kadian rose and knelt in front of me, “This is an amazing opportunity. Can you imagine? To be chosen by one of the four courts, to have a say in how the world is organized, how it’s run, to have…” He paused.

“ Magic, ” I said. His grin grew feral.

“Yes, Brida. Magic. Of course, we likely won’t know what any of that is, regardless of how much you intend to read up on it. Mom says they’ve always been tight-lipped about that stuff.”

He was right.

From my research, I knew that the courts were notoriously secretive about what they allowed the public to know.

Beyond the laws and regulations that were openly shared with the realm, their true secrets were carefully guarded within the walls of Azmeer and the inner sanctums of the courts themselves.

“Do you think Elana will hope you’re placed in the Eternal Court?” Kadian’s mother’s Fae heritage was so diluted that she appeared human, just like Kadian and the majority of the Fae in Escalia.

He looked like a true Escalian, with light brown hair and green eyes.

It had made things easier for him as a kid.

Easier than it had been for me.

“I’m sure she’d be happiest with that. Keeping familial ties alive, you know, honor and all that bullshit.” He ran a hand through his hair.

It was getting longer, coming just below his eyes; it suited him.

“What are the names of the other courts anyway?”

“Someone didn’t pay attention in his History of Azmeer course.” I laughed.

I’d had to drag Kadian to every lecture our first semester.

The look on his face all but confirmed he’d forgotten this had been a topic the course covered.

“The four courts are”—I cleared my throat for dramatic effect—“The Court of Reflection, The Eternal Court, The Court of Whispers, and The Court of Shadows . ”

The names of the courts were irrelevant.

The only thing that mattered was securing an invitation.

This is going to work , I thought to myself.

I will make this work.

“Let’s go get a drink to celebrate!” Kadian said, pulling me up from the couch, wrapping his arms around me.

“Come, let’s go.”

As Kadian grabbed a shirt and ushered me out the door, I couldn’t help but look back to the parchment resting on the counter.

The letter that would change our destinies.