Page 56 of The Fae Lord

I am still reeling from Finn’s revelation. “Is he speaking the truth?” I ask, annoyance flashing in my tone as I wait for Kayan to tell me that he cannot answer my question.

He opens his mouth to speak, but no sound comes out.

“The visions I’ve seen, do they show what will happen if Eldrion lives? Will he use his shadow magic to destroy the kingdom?”

Again, Kayan says nothing.

“If you cannot answer me, how can you be here to guide me?” I yell at him, striding away to the edge of the lake. Fury bubbles inside me. I project my anger towards the water and bring a wave rushing towards the shore. It explodes at my feet, turning into a million raindrops that pelt down upon me.

“Alana . . .”

“Go...” I turn around, glaring at him. “I don’t want you here. You are not helping. I cannot think straight with you here. How do I know he didn’t send you? How do I know you’re not part of Eldrion’s game, trying to make me distrust my friends, my instincts.”

“You should always trust your instincts,” Kayan says quietly. “What do they tell you, Alana? Think. What do they really tell you?”

“They tell me I don’t want to see you right now. They tell me I want you gone.” I fling out my arms, pull another wave of water to the shore, and throw it at Kayan. It engulfs him, swallowing up his light.

As it disappears, guilt washes over me.

But it is too late.

He’s gone.

TWENTY-FIVE

Kayan

Ishouldn’t leave Alana. My job is to be here, by her side, helping her navigate what’s coming. But she is frustrated, and angry, and she banished me from her side.

Until she wants me back, I can do nothing. I cannot return to her.

So, I go to the only other person I can think of. I go to Rosalie.

I found her days ago. I searched and searched, and finally found her.

Right now, I have the opportunity to help her.

When I reach the shield at the edge of the camp, I cross it without hesitation or difficulty. Then I close my eyes and allow darkness to fill my vision. I breathe slowly and deeply. I feel the heartbeats of the fae in the camp. I hear the light flutter of wings as some of them turn over in their sleep or walk restlessly around the campfire.

Flames crackle, leaves rustle gently in the breeze.

I hear their thoughts, floating, flitting, in and out of my head. And I wonder whether this is what Alana feels when she searches others’ minds. For me, it is a gift from the spirits. It is not mine, and it is not fully formed.

I get snatches. Enough to know whose inner voice I am hearing but not enough to latch onto anything tangible.

I rise up into the air, stretching out my arms and my wings. It has been so long since I had wings like this, I forgot what it was like to truly use them.

I beat the air softly, hovering above the trees.

My glimmering shadow is reflected on the canopy’s surface. Yet, it is not really there. No one else would be able to see it.

Again, I wonder if this is how Alana feels. She is here, but no one truly sees her. Even after all she’s done, she walks amongst our kin and they treat her as if she is a pariah. Something to be kept away, to be afraid of.

She is so strong.

But she shouldn’t have to be.

I try to dislodge my thoughts from Alana, even though it is almost impossible because she is my charge. I am her guide. I am supposed to be by her side. I am not supposed to leave her for a side quest of my own choosing.

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