Page 7 of Of Night and Blood: Special Edition

“I do not believe anyone’s powers could be considered as impressive as your own,” he said with nonchalance. “It is quite the gift to be able to bend the mind to your own will.”

The words held no malice in them that I could detect, but that did not mean he was okay with my choice to strip him of his autonomy.

“I apologize. I cannot say I enjoy using my power, but it would have caused many issues for the crown if the fight had continued, or escalated for that matter. I wish I did not have to use it,” I admitted. Shame was the price of a power like mine, and I paid it often.

He seemed to consider that response for a moment, then looked into my eyes. When we locked gazes, it felt as if he could see into my soul, like he had a hold of my mind rather than the other way around.

“You should not hate your power, none of us should, it makes us who we are. Our powers give us strength and provide us with the opportunity to be better than those before us. Yours in particular has the potential to change the world as we know it,” he said it with such conviction that I found myself nodding, though most of the fae would disagree.

“My power is greatly feared throughout the realm. I am sure even on Isle Element they share stories of the wicked princess who will steal your mind in the night.” I rolled my eyes, and Bellamy let out a breathy laugh. “Or would you tell me they believe I am some kind of miracle?”

Some did. They thought I was the symbol of a new age, a blessing to the realm. Either way, I was more of a figurehead than an individual, which I struggled to accept.

“Rumor has it that when you take the mind of your enemy and crush it, their sins flash before their eyes. Some Airs say that they will hear you call to them on the breeze when the reckoning day comes. I have also been told that you will kill us in our sleep if we do not eat our greens.” At that he chuckled again, and I could not help but crack a smile as well. “We mostly talk of the dark-haired beauty that will save our realm though.”

I let out a loud laugh.

“I highly doubt that. Fae tend to run at the mere sight of me,” I responded. It was common for not only castle staff, but residents of The Capital as well, to cringe when they ran into me. Even those who worshipped at my feet as if I was a god often chose to not speak to me directly. Though it was standard practice of the fae to live at the mercy of Eternity rather than the gods, anyways.

“I am not running,” he said, smiling down at me. I looked up at the stars to hide the blush that crept onto my face. Knowing that Bellamy was not scared of me, that he actually enjoyed my presence in some way, sent a rush through my body. It almost seemed as though I was not the Manipulator or the princess to him, but rather I was simply Asher. “So, tell me more about you. What do you enjoy doing?” he asked.

From the corner of my eye, I saw him look up as well, but he left his hand and flames in front of my body to keep me warm. A kind gesture that I had already begun reading into, as per usual.

“No one has asked me that in a long time,” I murmured. His eyes found mine, his brows scrunching together.

I could not tell if it was disbelief or sorrow that flashed on his face, but whatever it was, he recovered quickly. His smile was radiant, full and dimpled. I could not help but smile back at him, though my answer was uninteresting at best.

“Reading mostly, and I often enjoy playing the piano.” Beyond that there was not much to me. I liked the way books whisked me away to a new place, another life. Music, that was a different kind of escape. It gave me power that did not take over minds, but enchanted them. “I also enjoy being with my friends. They are incredibly mischievous, and they treat me as if I am just like them. I find that their presence grounds me, reassures me. Though with us all recently reaching our second century, most of us are marrying and starting anew.”

He continued to look at me, his eyes squinted slightly. Like he was trying to make sense of a complicated puzzle, one with missing pieces. I probably sounded like a bore, but how could I explain without sounding like a fool? I wanted to have excitement and adventure in my life, to do more than merely exist, but it just was not realistic.

“Does the beginning of marriage usually mark the end of friendship?” he asked, surprising me again.

I chose not to look over at him to avoid seeing the pity I knew he was feeling. His question sounded genuine, but there was a tinge of disdain in there that made me wonder if the idea of marriage was appalling to him.

“No, but they will visit The Capital less often. We met at Academy, and after all graduates were sent back to their factions—apart from Nicola, who lives here—we remained in touch secretly, though I am truly only close with a couple from Isle Shifter now. I am given slight leeway with them since they are wed. Once we are all married, it will be difficult to see one another, as we will have responsibilities that keep us on our respective islands. Especially with my own union meaning I will begin preparation for ascending the throne,” I said with a shrug.

I tried not to dwell on the fact that so much was being taken from me to make peace with the Mortal Realm. Our future was contingent on this marriage, this alliance. The Demon Realm was active, slaughtering fae. We had known that their king, Adbeel, was biding his time since the Great War, so when the mass murders began last year, it was little surprise. How they got to the fae lands undetected was puzzling though. Especially with the impenetrable mist that surrounds their lands.

Then again, we were not privy to details of demon magic. No one was alive that had fought in the Great War those many millennia ago, and by some wicked blight of the demons’ making, no Yesterday has the ability to see that far back. We believed the demons corrupted our minds with whatever evil shadow magic they rendered from the Underworld where they derived. It was no secret that they came to our world to conquer.

Even worse, talk of King Adbeel’s son, The Elemental, had surfaced eighty years ago. He was a dangerous addition to an already highly feared enemy. No one knew what he looked like, or even his age, but we all knew that he was capable of harnessing all four elements. Local gossip suggested that the demon king had abducted a fae and used her to breed the male, but no one knew for sure how a demon came to have the ability to call upon the elements when they were normally black magic wielders.

Our council meetings were filled with horrific tales of The Elemental tearing holes into the ground to suck fae into awaiting molten rock and ripping heads off with nothing but his hands. We once received word during a ball that there had been an attack staged by the demon prince which resulted in seven fae being flayed alive. Worse was the time that an entire village in the Single Lands was nearly burned to the ground, which The Elemental seemed to take credit for as the mark of all four elements had been burned into a tree just outside of the wreckage.

The entire realm relied on not only my powers, but my future husband’s army as well to keep us safe from the demons and their monarchs.

“If I refuse to marry Sterling, I risk the safety of my subjects. I risk the wrath of the demon king. I risk allowing more fae to be senselessly murdered,” I whispered. I was unsure if I was even talking to Bellamy, or if my words were a reminder to myself.

“That is a burden that should never have been forced on you. There are strength in numbers, and in will. The mortals should know that. No one is safe when those in power seek more of it. Requesting a marriage alliance seems, to me, more presumptuous of what they can truly offer than anything else,” he said, rolling his eyes. I chuckled, nodding. It felt like he took the words out of my mouth.

“Tell me something about you. What do you do in your spare time?” I asked, eager to move on. He smiled at my obvious attempt to steer the conversation away from myself, his gaze remaining tilted up to the stars. When he answered, it was in a soft and faraway voice.

“I like to adventure. Staying still is uncomfortable to me. I want to do more, be more, than a husband or a father or a soldier. I want to be someone, not just anyone.” I thought that statement made sense. He did not seem to enjoy the idea of marriage, and being held down would not suit someone always on the move.

“That is not to say that I would want to be alone. I would like to find a partner that loved the idea of seeing the world like I do, and perhaps loved me even more.” He turned away from the sky above and set his icy stare on me. “Has anyone ever told you that you are stunning, Asher?”

Hearing my name on his lips sent a wave of ecstasy through me.

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