Page 83 of Taken By the Fae King

“I scarred his face,” Grayce points out. “Surely, such a mark is not common.”

“It is easily hidden though,” Lukas says darkly. “Use of a glamour or a shade stone could conceal such an injury.”

I flinch inwardly at the mention of a shade stone. It is how I disguised myself to appear human. Although they are rare, it would not be impossible for someone to procure one. I should know. I had to deal with rather unsavory characters, but I was able to obtain one rather easily. Anything can be had for the right price.

“There is more,” Grayce murmurs.

“What is it?” Raiden asks, concern easily read in his eyes.

She tells him about the Orcs and their claims about the Wraith. When she brings up the Orc King and the prophecy, Raiden clenches his jaw. “It is a myth,” he states firmly. His gaze sweeps to me. “And if you truly care about my sister, you will do everything in your power to quell this superstitious nonsense.”

“Why?” Grayce asks.

“Because it is dangerous for you,” he snaps. “High Mage Ylari says the Mages believe in this prophecy. And they are doing everything they can to prevent it from coming to pass.”

Ylari turned on his own Order to protect the kingdom of Florin. I do not believe he would lie about this.

Raiden continues. “If the Mages truly believe in the prophecy of the Great Uniters, and they thinkyouare one of the Sanishon foretold, how long do you think it will be before they send someone to try to kill you?”

“But if I truly am part of the prophecy, that means I can help stop the Mages and the Wraith,” Grayce counters. “I could help keep everyone safe.”

“But at what cost, Grayce?” Raiden asks. “Your life?” He shakes his head. “Because that is what it might come down to.”

Raiden turns to me, his brown eyes full of anger. “What about you? Do you believe in any of this?”

While I wish I could deny it, I cannot. “There are too many things that point to it being true for us to ignore the possibility that Grayce, her sister Inara, and her cousin Freyja are the Great Uniters foretold by the ancient tomes of the Lythyrian.”

Raiden opens his mouth to protest, but I cut him off.

“Each of them are Outsiders—the first to marry into the Dark Elves, the Dragons, and the Fae. And they all have inherited powers through the bonds with their mates. It cannot simply be coincidence that these events are happening now.”

Raiden turns to Grayce. “What powers?”

Grayce reaches for the vase in the center of the table. It is full of flowers, but she touches her finger to one of the unopened buds.

Raiden and Lukas’s jaws drop as they watch her use magic to make it unfurl, blossoming into a mature bloom before their eyes.

“We were attacked by griffins on the way here,” I tell them. “Grayce used magic to help save us. It was the first time her powers manifested, and I realized she had inherited them from me. Just as Inara gained hers through her bond with Varys, and Freyja from her bond with Aurdyn.”

Emryll reaches across the table and takes Grayce’s hand, her eyes full of worry. “We need to train every day to strengthen your powers. Make sure that you are able to defend yourself if you are in trouble.”

“No,” Raiden says. “You need to stay hidden. You must discourage the rumors of the prophecy at all costs.”

Grayce meets his gaze evenly. “I’m going to study the prophecy. See if there is anything I can learn to help in the fight against the Mages and their Wraith.”

“This is madness,” Raiden counters. He looks at me. “Surely you can see this as well.”

Aren steps forward. “There are many who believe in the prophecy. The queen is a symbol of hope. The people should be told what she is.”

Raiden’s eyes snap to his, understanding dawning on his features. “The crowning ceremony…” He turns to me. “You mean to announce it to everyone.”

I cannot deny the truth. “Yes.”

“You would knowingly put my sister in danger?” He narrows his eyes. “All for some belief in some ancient prophecy?”

“This is my decision too,” Grayce interjects.

“This is madness,” he grinds out, his gaze locked on hers. “Do you want to die? Like your mother?”

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