Page 64 of Their Chosen

“Indeed, but be prepared, dear, because you will no longer look like you. You will be your true fae self, with very little to no similarities to what you currently look like. Your appearance will change drastically. I imagine it will be quite a shock and will take some getting used to.” I wasn't sure if I was ready for all of that, but I knew I was at least curious as to what I was really supposed to look like.

“Could it really be that simple?” Baer asked.

“Indeed. But I'm sure it won't be easy because she has much to learn about her magic and yours before she can control them enough to remove the glamor,” Jude replied.

“I have another question,” I murmured to Jude, waiting for him to face me again before continuing, “This morning, the guys mentioned I might have access to an affinity that no one else has. Is that possible?”

Surprise lit his face before he glanced at Arryn. “Is this true?”

“Yes, Sir. We were able to feel more it while her magic was consuming her.”

“Interesting.” He seemed to get lost in his thoughts for a few moments as we sat there silently, waiting for his thoughts on the matter. “I'll admit, I haven't heard of a fae having new affinities, but I seem to recall a legend of some sort claiming that it is possible. I'll investigate it further and let you know what I find out.”

“Okay. Seems pretty straightforward,” I said, brushing off the weight that seemed to be growing on my shoulders. I knew things shouldn't be this complicated and yet, for me, there just seemed to be more questions every time we found an answer.

I refused to fall victim to the weight, determined to bear it for now. I knew the guys would help however they could in the meantime. Eventually we had to come across all the answers. Right? I wished I could be more certain, but since they'd strolled into my life, it had been anything but simple. I knew I needed to have patience, but it wasn't easy right now. Exhaustion tugged on me, and my patience was running thin. Hunger and my need for sleep clouded my mind, making me react emotionally and instinctively.

“Thank you for your help, Master Jude. We’ll keep you updated on what goes on. And if you find out anything in the meantime, don't hesitate to let us know,” Arryn said, helping Jude stand and walking him to the door.

I stood to follow them. “I can't tell you how much you've helped me already. Thank you for everything,” I told him simply, grateful for all his help. I couldn't imagine where we'd be without him.

“Of course, my dear. Anytime. I'm sorry I couldn't help more, but if you need anything else, please let me know.” He smiled at me dotingly. I couldn't help but feel like he knew more, but I couldn't be sure of that.

I gave him a hug as he left, Arryn closing the door behind him. He then helped me back to the couch, where I plopped back down, groaning when I realized I didn't grab anymore of the food on the table. I eyed the food but decided I didn't have it in me to get back up again so soon.

Instead, I narrowed my eyes on the guys. “So, who wants to tell me about these consort bond thingies?” I asked no one in particular, instead letting them decide who would answer.

Baer chuckled nervously, running a hand on the back of his neck. “About that...” he trailed off, not completing the sentence or explaining what Jude had been talking about.

“We need to complete our bonds with you so we’ll be connected to you,” Lennox stated, almost bored. But I saw through his façade, noticing the slight tension in his shoulders as he admitted this.

“Okay. So, what exactly do the bonds do?” I asked them, trying to get some clarification.

“The bonds connect us in ways that help us to find you, protect you, and meet your needs. While the land chose us as your consorts, you must accept us in order to complete the bonds. It's not something that can ever be undone and will stay with us whether or not you are selected as queen.” Arryn finally explained, his eyes meeting mine.

“Ah. That's why you guys haven't said anything. If I'm intent on returning to Earth, you'd still be tied to me no matter what,” I said, catching on. “But what exactly does it feel like? To be bonded?” I asked.

Arryn sighed, seeming to hesitate on how to explain this to me. I waited somewhat impatiently for him to answer, getting tired of not having the answers to things I should know by now. “Being your consorts means that we can feel what you feel, we can find you even if you aren't near, and we can share our gifts and affinities. It means that we are tied to you forever, and that if you aren't near, we will feel as if a part of us is missing,” Callum spat out, almost as if he was angry with me.

“And in order for me to get control of my magic, to break my glamor, and to survive the trials, I will need to bond with you all?” I asked, pretty sure I knew the answer but needing them to confirm my conclusions.

“Exactly,” Lennox snapped out with a forced smile that looked more like a grimace.

Okay, apparently a couple of them were on the same page as I was. I didn’t want to be tied to anyone for eternity, and I didn't want to hurt them when I eventually returned to Earth. There was no way I could ask this of them. There had to be some other way to survive the trials without bonding to my consorts. We just hadn't figured out a way yet.

“Well, I still don't plan on being the queen. I still want to return to Earth. I have too many people counting on me back there, so there's no way I can ask you guys to bond with me. We'll figure something else out,” I told them simply.

“I wish it were that simple, Killer,” Baer said sympathetically.

“What do you mean?” I asked, confused as to why we couldn't just follow my plan.

“He means that we can't risk training you in magic without being bonded. Today was too close of a call, and Lennox is pretty burned out after helping you through that. There's no way you can make it through the trials without at least some magic. They were designed to test you magically, physically, and mentally. If you can't manage all of that, then it's very unlikely that you will survive,” Arryn told me.

“No. You guys don't know just how stubborn I am. If there's a way, I'll be able to find it. I've survived this long without it. I don't need my magic now. No big deal,” I denied, not wanting to let them do this.

“I believe you are probably the strongest fae I've ever met, but it's highly unlikely that even you would be able to survive the trials without your magic,” Arryn insisted.

“You only survived this long without magic because you were on a magic-less plane. You didn't need it. But that's Earth. You are no longer in that world and need to accept that you can't make it through this without your magic,” Lennox snapped at me, getting angrier as he continued.

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