Page 6 of Broken Lands

Taken aback by his familiarity, I stiffened. Something about him screamed kind, safe. Before I knew it, I relaxed, hugging him back as he congratulated me.

“What do you know, little dove,” he said, placing me back on my feet. I hadn’t even realized he’d picked me up. “Soon you won’t be watching others use magic with your bottom jaw sitting on the floor. You’ll be casting it yourself!” He covered his mouth in mock disbelief, then put his arm around my shoulders and led me from the stage.

“We’re going to be the best of friends. I’m calling it now.” He declared, pulling me tight against him.

I laughed at his declaration, but I really couldn’t disagree with him. It wasn’t like I could turn down the offer of a friend; I was going into Danann blind after all, and I liked Stefan’s energy. I didn’t know what to expect or how the other Fae may treat me. It wouldn’t be hard for them to dismiss the freak human.

Something tugged inside my chest and screamed for more. It was not satisfied with the title of friend. It wanted far more from Stefan.

I smothered the feeling, deciding to deal with it another day as Stefan led me out of the town square, towards the main street. There was always a party held after the ceremony to say farewell to those who were ascending. The community went all out, everyone bringing whatever they could spare; be that food, drink, or just their time and talent.

“How do you feel about coming to Danann, little dove? You don’t seem overly excited?” He was looking down at me under his arm, his eyebrow raised as he studied my expression.

I sighed. I’d known Stefan an entire three and a half minutes, but despite that, and despite his rude greeting in the candidate tent, I felt as though I could trust him. He bore no ill intention and seemed genuinely curious as to my lack of excitement. Even so, I wasn’t sure I was ready to reveal all my secrets.

“Most candidates enter Danann a bundle of nerves and nearly bursting with excitement,” he continued. “They can barely contain it. They want to see what kind of future Danann holds for them, hope it will be better than what awaits them here in Sommers. They are amicable and happily take whatever role is given to them in the city. And even though many leave some form of friends and family behind, they thrive inside the walls and make new lives for themselves.”

He stopped suddenly, spinning me around to face him, grasping me by both shoulders. Usually someone putting their hands on me would trigger the animal instinct within me and that person would regret their decision quickly.

Stefan didn’t trigger that reflex in me. I trusted him. Maybe that made me a fool. He was Fae, after all.

I looked up at him, biting my bottom lip as I tried to decide how to explain myself. I couldn’t tell him I felt this was a mistake, but could I tell him I had applied for ascension for reasons that had nothing to do with the opportunity that was on offer? Could I tell him I held a low opinion of his kind and the way they segregated our community?

His silver eyes sparkled at me as he waited for my response. Come what may, I decided to tell him some of my truth.

“You’ve made a mistake,” I said, my voice shaking and just above a whisper. “I have no magic. I’m an orphan; with nothing to my name. My most prized skill is that I can grow a decent crop of tomatoes. I’m not a lost descendant of the Fae—or other magical being, as Brand put it. What other magical beings even exist?”

I’d started rambling, the stress and surprise of the day flowing out of me in a torrent of word vomit.

“Sorry, I’m just… I’m overwhelmed.”

Stefan grinned; his teeth were so white I was sure they must be bleached with magic.

“Don’t apologize, Riley. I’m sure it’s a lot to take in.” He wrapped his arm around my shoulders and led us again towards the party. I leaned into him, soaking up the comfort his warm embrace and the closeness of him offered. “Your life and your future as you know it have changed considerably in a few brief hours. That’s enough to overwhelm anyone.”

I nearly tripped over my own feet as he continued, the shock of his next statement stunning me into silence.

“No mistake has been made, little dove. There is powerful magic in you. I sensed it the moment you entered the tent. Why do you think I mistook you for one of our own?”

Chapter four

Riley

Wait,what?

I tried and failed to wrap my head around his words. When did he mistake me as one of his own?

Somehow sensing my unasked question, Stefan continued. “When you ran into the tent, I sensed your power and mistook you for one of our guards. I never meant to dismiss you.” He explained, shrugging his shoulders like it wasn’t a big deal. “Honestly, I shouldn’t have mistaken you. Your power differs from any I’ve ever felt before.”

I shook my head in disbelief. It was a big deal, actually; it changed everything I thought I’d ever known about myself. Stefan was telling me I wasn’t the person I thought I was, that my whole life so far was a lie.

If I possessed magic, did that mean James did too?

My heart clenched, my chest restricting painfully as I considered the alternative. No. I wouldn’t believe it. James was my brother. I just needed time to prove it.

Letting the subject drop for now, we moved into the crowd gathering in the street. There were tables set up with food and drink, and a little stage set up for anyone who wanted to perform. Troy—the town blacksmith—and his brothers were up there now and likely would be for most of the night. They had somehow commissioned instruments from before the Last War and were well known for making the best music in town.

Stefan stayed by my side as I made the rounds through the crowd. He was a social butterfly, fitting in comfortably with the community, quietly poking holes in my view of the fae as arrogant, unapproachable creatures.

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