Page 84 of Taken By the Fae King

Grayce inhales sharply, and Raiden’s expression morphs from anger to regret in an instant, realizing he has gone too far. “Grayce, I’m sorry. Please, forgive me. I—”

“I know you love me and that you’re afraid for me, Raiden.” Her bottom lip quivers slightly as frustration burns in her eyes. “Do you think I’m not worried? That I am not afraid too? You cannot protect me from the world. This is my decision, and if there is any way I can help in the fight against the Mages and Wraith, I must see it through.”

Raiden stands and walks around the table to her. He pulls her up into his arms and hugs her fiercely. “I’m sorry,” he whispers into her hair. “I’m just worried for you, Grayce. I love you, and I cannot bear to think of you being hurt or worse.”

“I know.”

I’m not entirely surprised when Lukas rounds the table and embraces them both. “We will figure this out.” He turns to me. “In the meantime, I believe we should meet with the Orcs as well. See about combining our efforts to discover how the Wraith are crossing the Wall. Because the more of them on this side, the greater a weapon they are for the Mages.”

“I’ll send a raven to Edmynd, informing him that we are traveling to the Great Wall to meet with the Orc King.” Raiden turns to me. “We should leave as soon as possible.”

“The crowning ceremony can be held later today.” I exchange a glance with Grayce, and she nods. “But first, I must take Grayce to the heart tree. It is tradition before a monarch takes the crown.”

Raiden and Lukas each nod in agreement.

CHAPTER43

GRAYCE

The sun casts a golden glow across the temple grounds, its warmth caressing my skin as I step through the towering archway. The scent of wildflowers and ancient magic fills the air, a heady combination that leaves me feeling both awed and humbled.

When Kyven and I were wed here in our Fae ceremony, we were in a different part of the gardens that surround the temple. I had no idea how sprawling the grounds are here.

As we approach the heart tree, my breath catches in my throat. Its tear-shaped white leaves shimmer in the sunlight, their ethereal beauty almost too much to behold. They fall gracefully, floating on the breeze, but never leaving the tree bare – new leaves sprout instantly, a testament to the ancient Fae magic that created this wonder.

A mix of emotions swirl within me as I stand before the sacred tree. Awe courses through my veins, but so too does a tremor of nervousness. The spirit that resides in each one is believed to be a messenger from the gods.

I have come for guidance, and I cannot help but worry about what I may learn. I have had enough experience with my visions to know that knowledge of the future can be either a curse or a blessing, depending upon what is revealed.

Gathering my courage, I step closer, feeling the magic thrumming in the air around me. The delicate white leaves dance in the wind, some brushing against my skin as if whispering secrets from another world.

“What do I do?” I ask Kyven.

His expression is one I cannot discern, somewhere between concern and sadness, and it makes me worried. “You must place your hand on the tree, and it will connect you with the spirit that resides within.”

Nervous, I reach out a tentative hand and rest it on the bark. It is surprisingly cool and smooth beneath my fingertips. Closing my eyes, I take a deep breath to clear my mind, letting my worries and fears fall away, focusing only on the question that has brought me here.

With a whispered plea, I ask the spirit of the tree for guidance, for wisdom to navigate the challenges that lie ahead.

A sense of calm washes over me. Whatever the spirit of the heart tree may tell me, I will face it with the strength and courage that has brought me this far.

The moment my fingers graze the heart tree, the world around me shifts. The temple vanishes, replaced by an expansive field bathed in an ethereal, golden light. I’m standing amid a swaying field of grass, the air suffused with a sense of otherworldly serenity.

A glowing figure approaches me, her movements fluid and graceful. “I am the spirit of the heart tree,” she says, her voice a melody that resonates in the very soul of my being.

Her face is obscured in the light that emanated from her form, but her eyes are a vivid amber shade that studies me intensely.

I’m desperate for guidance, seeking clarity and hope.

The spirit gazes at me with ancient, knowing eyes before she speaks. “You are one of the Sanishon of the prophecy of the Great Uniters. But you already knew this in your heart.”

I nod.

“You will be betrayed by someone you hold dear.” Her words are heavy with sorrow and my breath catches in my throat. She continues. “But trust your heart to guide you through your pain and remember the promises you made.”

My heart constricts with fear. “What does that mean? Who will betray me?”

But the spirit does not answer my questions. Instead, she speaks solemnly. “If you knew the truth, your future would have been altered, and the world would have fallen into darkness. Only a heart forged in the fires of adversity can be strong enough to withstand what is to come.”

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