Page 105 of Taken By the Fae King

I sit up in the bed, leaning forward on my knees as the world spins a bit before settling.

Kyven rushes to my side. “How are you feeling?” His green eyes search mine in concern before he snaps at someone behind him. “Fetch the healer. Now.”

“I’m fine.” My voice comes out a rasp. “What happened?”

“You don’t remember?” Emryll asks, moving to my side. “You collapsed, Grayce. You saved us from the Wraith and the Mage.”

Images flit through my mind as the memory of our attack rushes to the forefront of my thoughts.

The doors open and Healer Draymon enters, his expression grave as he looks at me. “How do you feel?” he asks, his hands hovering over my form as he assesses me with his magic. “Any pain? Weakness?”

“A little,” I reply honestly. “But nothing debilitating.”

“Can you stand?”

Slowly, I slide my legs off the edge of the bed and then stand up. My knees give out, and I start to fall forward, but Kyven’s strong arms wrap around me, catching me before I hit the ground.

Gently, Kyven sets me back on the bed.

“Why am I so weak?” I lift my hand, unable to stop it from trembling.

Kyven takes it between his and presses a tender kiss to my palm. His gaze flicks to Draymon before returning to me. “You used too much of your life force again.”

“Yes,” Draymon agrees.

Kyven squeezes my hand, his worried gaze searching mine. “You must be careful when using your magic. If you use too much, it will kill you, Grayce.”

“Before the attack, I had already been training and I was exhausted.” I glance down at my hands. “So I’m not even sure how I did it,” I reply honestly. “It just… happened when we were attacked.”

Healer Draymon nods. “That is how most fledglings first learn to use their powers. It is instinct to defend yourself when you feel threatened.”

Worry tightens my chest. “What if I cannot control it? What if I accidentally hurt someone?”

Kyven cups my cheek. “You won’t, Grayce.”

“How can you be certain?”

Before he can answer, Emryll steps out from behind him. I had not even realized she was in the room until now. “If you had no control, your power would have sought any target, indiscriminately. Instead”—she smiles warmly—“you saved us both from the Wraith and the Mage. Your magic did not harm me. Itprotectedme.”

“What happened to the Mage?” I ask. “The last thing I remember was—”

“He is in the dungeon,” Kyven replies. “For questioning.”

“What did he say?”

Kyven turn to Emryll and Draymon, motioning subtly for them to leave the room. Once they are gone, he turns to me, his expression grim.

“The Order of Mages knows that you are my fated one. They believe you are one of the Great Uniters of the ancient tome of the Lythyrians—one of the Sanishon foretold in the prophecy.”

“I believe the Mages learned that you are my A’lyra from Lord Torien. The Mage implicated him during questioning. This truth has made you their target.”

“He helped them break through the wards,” I murmur.

“Yes. I’ve sent warriors to search for him.”

Aren walks in, handing him a scrolled parchment. He bows low. “We’ve received word from Corduin. There are more Wraith gathering along the Wall.”

“My vision,” I whisper, and Kyven’s head snaps to mine. “It’s coming to pass.”

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