Page 85 of Chosen By the Fae King

“Those were my memories, Aeryn. My thoughts.”

“I'm s-sorry,” I stuttered. “I don't know what's happening. I'm not of age.”

My spine curled, causing me to wince. I looked down and Lorne grabbed my chin.

“Don't look at it. It looks worse than it is.”

“You have experience with burns?”

“I'm an expert at burns,” he replied.

Before I could ask what he meant, Sage shadowed into the study. I didn't realize she had that power. Once again, I was jealous of the royal line's traveling magic.

“Please don't tell anyone,” I whispered to him.

“You know I can't do that. Besides, this one,” he nodded at his sister, “can hear you.”

“I can also feel your well-store, silly. Someone ripped its cover right off.”

“Work fast,” Lorne told her. “Nox will be here shortly.”

While Lorne stood close to the fire, Sage examined me. She didn't ask many questions until she saw that my skin was starting to stitch back together on its own.

“Well, it seems you have access to your powers now. Tell me everything.”

I told her.

She frowned, perplexed. “Maybe it was a rapid aging spell gone wrong. I don't know. Regardless, there's no going back. I know the timing isn't great since you have no idea what you're capable of now, but try not to kill anyone on accident.”

I gulped.

“I'm kidding. Mostly. Now lie down and rest. Lorne will stay with you until Nox arrives.”

Curled up on the couch, I let my eyelids fall. I pictured my well-store and reached for it.

As if the magic within had awakened for the first time, stretching and uncoiling like a cat in the sun. It rippled under my skin in electric currents, both strange and familiar all at once.

I didn't understand. Magic was not meant to be mine yet. I had no gift, no power until age twenty-five. Yet now I could read thoughts with a single touch.

Or, I'd done it once. Could it have been a fluke? Or Lorne projecting?

Unease stirred in my gut. Questions spun through my mind like a whirlwind, answers slipping through my grasp.

Giving up on any insights, I let sleep pull me under.

Eighteen

Aeryn

I woke with a start, blinking against the dim light filtering through the study windows as the sun went down. Nox stood before the hearth in front of Lorne, whose broad back was to me as they spoke in hushed tones.

My mouth felt dry, my head pounding from the lingering effects of the orb. I swallowed thickly, pushing myself up on shaking arms.

The simple movement drew Nox's gaze. His eyes gleamed like polished onyx, scanning me from head to toe.

“She's awake,” Nox said, interrupting Lorne. My skin tingled under the weight of his stare.

Lorne glanced over his shoulder, lips pressed in a thin line. “Sage said it may take time for her magic to stabilize.”

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