Page 102 of Whispers of the Water

“Gorgeous girl has it right,” Imani said, not even batting an eye when Avana looked at her with surprise. “This could be what both sides have needed for a long time.”

“Maybe it will let people return to old homes, too,” Carlos said with a knowing smile as he nudged Bassel.

“We could do a lot of good things, if we pull it off,” Bassel said.

And that was the real question. How to pull this off. From what I knew, Water Fae were scattered throughout the world in hiding, and I had no idea how I was supposed to reach them or spread the news of this impending battle for peace. Even more than that, I wasn’t sure how to get in contact with the Land Fae King.

“So how do I do this?” I asked, passing a glance around the group. “Where should I start?”

“We start by getting you back to the Water Fae Kingdom,” Dallas said.

The use of the word we made the air move a bit easier through my lungs. It was a reminder that I wasn’t in this alone. I didn’t have to figure it out by myself, because I had a family here on my side to guide me through this blinding darkness.

“You’ll start training to be a Queen and learn the ropes of what that entails,” Rance said. “We’ll make the official announcement that you’ve returned, call Water Fae back home, crown you, and all of the formal stuff.”

“Which will make communicating with the Land Fae King far easier,” Imani added. “Becoming Queen will add the necessary weight you’ll need to discuss peace realistically.”

My mind raced to follow everything they said. As it did, one glaring truth hit me hard.

“So,” I started slowly. “I won’t be returning to school, or–or be going to Italy?”

“Bria,” Rune said softly.

I looked up at him to find concern buried in his eyes.

“You can still—”

“Are you shitting me?” Dax snapped. “Stop being selfish, Bria. You’re asking everyone here—every fucking Fae out there—to accept this pursual of peace and to let go of how we’ve been living all this time. Yet you’re concerned about school? About your stupid art career? You have an entire Kingdom counting on you, waiting for you, and looking up to you. I think your schooling and childish desires are of little importance right now.”

“Dax, oh my God!” Dallas shouted. “If you—”

“No,” I said, silencing Dallas. My eyes held Dax’s fuming glare, and I swallowed hard. “He’s right.”

“Thank you,” Dax said as he threw up his hands. “Finally, someone sees it.”

For once, Dax was right, and I hated having to admit that. But it was selfish of me to still want to go to school or to take that trip to Italy. There was so much to do now that I knew who I was and what had to be done to create a better world for Fae. Going back to school. Working to become a painter. Those things…

Those things had died the same day my human self did.

“I need to focus on learning what it means to be Queen and on creating peace,” I said. “That’s it. That’s all that matters.”

Rune’s fingers grazed mine, and slowly, they intertwined. He squeezed, and I focused on that instead of the sharp pain filling my chest.

Dallas seemed to weigh my words for a beat, then said, “I guess we should get out of here then. It’s a long drive back to campus. The sooner we can pack and get to the Kingdom, the better.”

“Okay. Let me get my stuff,” I said.

Dallas nodded and gestured back behind her. “We’ll park the SUVs down the road, that way. Are you okay to be here alone?”

“I’m sorry,” Ardley said sarcastically as he looked around at Rune, Akira, and the rest of the group. “Are we invisible or something?”

“She’s not alone,” Rune said, standing up straighter. “We’re with her.”

Dallas’s eyes narrowed a fraction. It was so miniscule, I wasn’t sure if others caught it, but I knew her. She wasn’t happy leaving me here with Rune and the others after the intense confrontation that had taken place. A lot of anger and hurt had been thrown around at each other during the fight, which most likely sent everyone back a few steps on their journey toward trusting each other.

Dallas took a deep breath. “Fine. Watch out for her and make sure she gets to us. Fifteen minutes. If she’s not to the SUVs in fifteen minutes, we’re busting into the house.”

“Dallas,” I snapped.

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