Chapter Nine
A s we descended a slight slope, the landscape shifted, growing even more enchanting. The thick trees gave way to open glades where odd flora bloomed in bright colors—yellows, reds, and oranges with roots that slithered around them.
A whispering sound drifted past, almost like laughter, curling through the trees. Goosebumps rose along my arms, and I had the distinct feeling of being watched. Ahead, the path curved, and a faint, haunting melody beckoned us forward.
Once we cleared the bend, it came into view: On a raised dais of moss-covered boulders, a throne of twisted vines and crystal glimmered beneath the dappled light, and on it sat the fae king himself.
King Thalion .
The name hovered in my mind like a spell. His presence was unmistakable, even more arresting than I remembered. He was beautiful in the way the fae always were—otherworldly, meant to draw you in before they split you in two. Silver hair cascaded over his shoulders, and a crown woven from dark vines and ivy rested atop his head.
A shiver ran through me as Caelum and I dismounted to approach the dais. I’d seen the king once before, a shadowed figure standing at my father’s side. Even then, I was wary of him. Now, under that same scrutiny, the weight of his gaze made me consider turning back.
“Wanderers,” King Thalion spoke as we got closer, his voice smooth, like the whisper of water over stone. “It is a rare day indeed that we entertain mortals in our court. To what do we owe this pleasure ?” His eyes sharpened on me.
I glanced over at Caelum, who gave me a quick nod, keeping to his word to let me lead.
I took a steadying breath, stepping forward. “My name is Eedy Blackthorn, a member of the High Council of Magi in Naohm, and this is the crown prince of Eyre, Caelum Ashford. We’re here to seek answers about the magic.” I willed my voice not to waver. “It’s unraveling throughout Eyre, and we need to understand why, so we can fix it.”
The fae king smiled, but it held little sincerity. “The health of magic in the mortal realm is of little concern to us, girl. It flows freely and without issue here. And yet...” He nodded toward a towering figure off to his right. The figure moved closer into the light, revealing an ancient fae, his eyes as dark as the shadows at his feet.
“What do you think of them, Solimir?” the king murmured, leaning forward on his throne.
Solimir’s gaze swept over us, assessing, lingering a second longer on me before shifting back to Caelum. While he studied us, I took in his weathered face, marked by lines etched deep from centuries of existence. His skin held the faintest hue of silver, as if kissed by moonlight, and a jagged scar slashed down from his left eyebrow to his cheekbone, stark against his otherwise perfect skin.
Without a word, he reached into his robes and drew out a slender knife, the blade black as midnight. Both Caelum and I stiffened, backpedaling away from the dais. But, unknown to us, a hoard of other fae had crept up from behind. We were surrounded.
Solimir noted our fear, and that made him smile.
“Relax, mortals,” he said, his voice husky, as if he rarely spoke. “A taste of your blood is all I require. Nothing more. I must understand who stands before us, in flesh and essence.”
He stepped down from the dais and lifted the blade toward Caelum first. The prince shot him a hard look but offered his hand, jaw clenched. With a swift motion, Solimir nicked his palm, catching a few drops of blood on the tip of his blade. He lifted it to his lips, tasting it with a strange, far-off look.
“A highborn, yes, but otherwise mortal,” he murmured. “Though...a little saltier than most.” He raised an eyebrow at Caelum, as if expecting an explanation.
Caelum shrugged, a wry smile tugging at his lips. “Must be all the salted pork I had back in Naohm.”
Solimir’s mouth quirked, though he didn’t deign to respond. Instead, he turned to me, his expression shifting to something darker. “And now you .”
He motioned with the knife, and I extended my hand. The blade was cold as it sliced across my skin, sharp enough that I barely felt it until my own blood welled in my palm.
As Solimir took my blood to his mouth, though, the change in his face was immediate. His eyes widened, a flicker of something raw and mystical sparking within them. He looked at me as though he were seeing something impossible.
“ Mage ,” he whispered, his voice thick with reverence. He sniffed the air intently, nodding.
I stiffened, irritation flaring up inside me. “Only men with the gift of magic are called mages,” I replied curtly, the word souring my mood. “I’m a witch .”
But the old fae shook his head, an unsettling smile creeping across his face. “ Mage ,” Solimir said again, his voice growing firmer, as though he was stating an undeniable truth. His stare didn’t waver, and for a moment, I thought I also caught concern in his milky eyes.
King Thalion raised an eyebrow, his gaze flicking between the old fae and me. “I’m sure you are aware that is the ancient word for magic itself,” he explained, his tone light but his eyes intent on me. “And that is what he sees in you: a vibrant connection to magic, strong and undiluted.”
Caelum shifted beside me. I clenched my fists, trying to shake the strange mix of pride and unease erupting under my skin. It made little sense. I’d never held any magic inside of me; I could only use it when lightning was nearby for me to control. That gift was hardly impressive enough to make this old fae look at me with such awe.
The fae king’s gaze narrowed as he stood. “You would do well to forget the problems of the mortal world and stay here with us, Miss Blackthorn. I remember you now from your previous visit. Just two rings ago, with your father, yes?”
My pulse raced through my veins, but I kept my face neutral. “That’s correct,” I replied evenly.
King Thalion’s lips curved upward. “He was an interesting one, your father,” he said. “You were underdeveloped then, still a youth in your power. But now...”
His eyes roamed over me, the way weak men often looked at things they wished to claim as their own. It made my skin crawl.
“Now, the connection is noticeably stronger.” He turned away, his voice dropping to a murmur, as if he spoke only for himself. “Yes, much stronger now.”
The king sat back down on his throne, curling his long fingers tight against the edges of his stone armrests. “You have all that is needed to be one of the fae: power, beauty, and a fierce spirit.” He leaned forward, his eyes gleaming. “You could be...beautifully cruel.”
I swallowed, fighting the discomfort churning in my stomach. I didn’t want to be praised by the fae, the beings who only cared for themselves and nothing more. But I could not deny a part of me was intrigued with their interest. Did I have more power than I knew of? If they could show me the way, could I be something more ? And if yes, at what cost?
Caelum cleared his throat, staring at me with concern before stepping forward. “Your Majesty, as gracious as your compliments are of Miss Blackthorn, we’re here for answers about the magic. That is what we came for, nothing more.” His voice held a forced politeness, but I could feel the tension radiating off him. Gone was the playful, lighthearted Caelum, and in his place was a commanding prince. “Perhaps we can return to discussing a fair exchange of knowledge?”
The fae king’s gaze flicked to Caelum, barely masking his disdain. “Mortals and their bargains,” he spat. “You are a fool to seek a deal with the fae.”
Caelum gave a slight bow, his face perfectly composed. “We only seek to learn from those who possess the wisdom we lack,” he replied, his voice smooth as silk. “I am sure your realm values the sharing of knowledge as much as our own.”
King Thalion’s lips quirked up, shaking his head as if in disbelief. “You’re a clever one, princeling. And you are correct in your thinking: Knowledge is power. But wisdom here is earned, not given freely.” He glanced at the other fae gathered around, and for a heartbeat, I thought he might send us away empty-handed.
The king’s smile widened as he leaned back on the throne. “You will stay with us tonight.” His declaration rang through the grove. “We will host a revelry in your honor as it is a rare and special thing to have a crown prince and a powerful witch in our company. In the morning, perhaps we shall speak of magic.”
It was clear that “perhaps” was the most important word he’d spoken.
“And if we refuse?” I asked, crossing my arms over my chest. If they were only going to toy with us, I’d rather cut my losses and leave now. I could already feel it—the temptation. To learn more about what they saw in me.
My father’s hollow face when he’d left this place flashed in my mind. What had he learned those many rings ago that made him change so much? It might be best to leave that knowledge buried with the fae.
“Refuse?” the king echoed, his eyes gleaming like two polished pieces of onyx. “If you want me to consider your request, you will surely consider mine.” His stare locked onto me.
“It seems our evening plans are set,” Caelum said under his breath with a sidelong glance, cradling his cut hand.
I nodded to the fae king, my only acknowledgment of his offer, even as a sinking feeling seeped into my bones.
King Thalion inclined his head, satisfaction dripping off his smile. “Then it is decided.” He raised his hands, scanning the gathered crowd of his fellow fae. “Go now and prepare the festivities for our honored guests.”
His eyes flitted over me once more before rising from his chair and making his way down the side of the boulders, deeper into Velarune, where we were expected to follow.
The fae that had surrounded us began to fade back into the shadows, but their eyes all lingered on me, oscillating between caution and curiosity. I shivered under their scrutiny, clenching my hands to keep steady.
What do they really think I could do?
Caelum leaned in, his usual, light tone edged with something sharper. “Well, that went well, I suppose. The king seemed rather taken by you.”
I caught the way his fingers flexed against his side, and the faint muscle in his jaw that twitched as he looked away.
“Taken with me?” I muttered. “They’re toying with us, Caelum. And misplaced interest in me doesn’t translate into answers about the magic drying up.”
He gave a quick shrug, though his eyes darkened as they drifted back to the now empty throne. “Well, maybe if they’re focused on you, we’ll get what we need from them more easily. Their fascination with you could be a distraction and work to our advantage.”
“Or it could be our downfall,” I said, keeping my voice low. “Their interests are never simple.”
He exhaled slowly, his attempt at a smile faltering. “Are anyone’s interests ever simple, Eedy?”
I scrambled for a logical reply, but when I turned to face him, his blue eyes pierced through me, pinning my mouth shut.