Page 3 of Broken Lands

I stopped a few feet short of the door and leant forward, resting my hands on my knees, and took a moment to catch my breath and gather my thoughts. I let my breathing slow before I straightened and entered the tent, holding my head high.

I don’t feel the least bit confident, but I need to pretend I do. Pretend I belong here. There are butterflies fluttering up a storm in my stomach. As far as I know, no one has ever been late to the ascension ceremony before. It’s too big of an opportunity to risk. Too much of a life changer.

I needed to pull it together. This was it. I had to be chosen to ascend. It’s the only way to find James. The only way I might be able to figure out what happened to him and where he is.

You’ve got this, Riley.

I plastered on my sweetest smile, choosing to ignore the erratic beat of my heart as I approached the nearest fae at what I assumed to be the check-in desk.

“We aren’t ready for transportation yet,” he said, not bothering to look up from the screen in front of him. “Please wait outside.”

Most of the fae I’d met in my eighteen years had the same arrogant demeanor, like they thought they were better than the rest of us, and we should be honored by their presence.

I was glad we only had to put up with their shit once a year. Though, if I’m chosen, it’ll be a lot more often.

I groaned inwardly at that thought, rolling my eyes and clearing my throat to pull his attention to me.

“Riley Embers, reporting for presentation.” I said, just as the third gong sounded.

That caught his attention. He looked up from his tablet and quickly scanned me from head to toe.

“You’re cutting it very close, Riley. We have barely enough time to fix you up.” He stood and rounded the table as he approached me. “But I do love a challenge. I’m Stefan.” He held his hand out to me and I took it.

His grip was powerful, the muscles of his forearms lean, matching the rest of his body—or at least what I could see of it. He was taller than me and I tilted my head back to look more closely at his face. A sharp angular jaw, high cheekbones, and plump lips grinned down at me. He was gorgeous, his bright silver eyes sparkling with mischief. And they weren’t even the most unusual thing about him.

Most of the fae who conducted these ceremonies looked the same as the humans in our community. Healthier. But the same. There weren’t any physical features that distinguished our kinds from one another. One possessed magic; the other did not.

But Stefan… There was something about him that screamed he wasn’t from here. His hair was a bright shade of pink, shaved along the sides and spiked a little on top. The color was unusual, but it was his aura, the feeling I had standing in his presence that made him seem… other.

My breath caught in my throat as he reached for me, twirling his fingers through my hair before I had a chance to protest. I couldn’t bring myself to be offended by his comment. I was definitely a mess. I cringed as he gathered more of the sweaty strands in his hands.

A wave of warmth ran down from my head to the ends of my hair, as soft golden curls fell to my shoulders. His fingers brushed my flushed cheeks, and I felt the heat from my sprint leave, a different heat beginning to build in my lower stomach as the touch of his hand lingered. Finally, he pulled back and, with a click of his fingers, a warm breeze circled around me.

I looked down at myself and found I was no longer wearing my jeans and tank. In their place was a soft white maxi dress, the skirts flowing around my legs, the lace bodice fitted perfectly to my body.

I glanced up at Stefan as my jaw dropped in awe. This was too much. I’d never witnessed magic before. The fae didn’t use it when they visited.

I had so many questions. How? What? Where did my clothes go? But I was speechless as I stared at him.

Stefan grinned wickedly at me. “First time witnessing magic, little dove? Better get used to it.” He winked at me as he took my arm, hurrying me past a few empty tables towards the back where I could see another door.

I was too shocked to respond immediately, and I let him drag me along as the fourth gong sounded. I knew magic existed, but all fae lived in Danann, and I had never seen it wielded before. The fae had no reason to venture into the human communities, and only those humans chosen to ascend could enter their city.

I could feel every inch of where Stefan’s hand gripped my arm as he pulled me along, something electric shooting through me from the contact. My eyes roamed over the sharp lines of his face again as we moved. He was magnificent, and I felt drawn to him, felt a pull like I’d never experienced before. There was a feeling of comfort and safety that I couldn’t quite explain to myself.

Despite his cocky demeanor, despite the fact that he was fae, I wanted to know him better. Maybe I’d have that chance if I ascended.

We reached the end of the tent, and Stefan pushed me through the billowing flaps with a final wink as the fourth gong sounded.

“Thank you,” I shouted after him, a little delayed as I found myself in line with the other candidates. Shaking my head to clear it; I couldn’t believe I’d made it in time. I would have to thank Sarie for hauling ass to get the letter to me in time.

It struck me then that my life could be about to change. It was out of my hands now, and come what may, I would have to hold on for the ride.

Chapter two

Riley

Nervously,Iranmyhands down the front of the dress Stefan had conjured for me. It was beautiful, even if it wasn’t my usual style. I’d never worn anything so delicate, so beautiful. Miss Hatley had given up clothing me in anything other than jeans and a shirt when I was around four years old after I’d repeatedly returned home covered in mud and dried leaves from exploring the Dead Forest.

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