Page 52 of Dreams of Ash and Smoke

“Not just deflection. I felt his power course through me. It was such a foreign feeling but it was as if I had no control over my body. It took over like it knew exactly what to do and blasted his powers back at him.”

“After all this time? Your powers have just been sitting dormant?”

“I guess so. I hadn’t really felt them until recently. It was a tingly sensation through my body when my emotions heightened during the whole coronation fiasco. Then it happened almost excruciatingly— as if it had finally been able to be released but I was holding back when Hadeon and I were attacked at the tavern on the border…” My thoughts trail off as I realize something. My hands fly to my neck, touching the pendant from Eryx. “My necklace… the necklace given to me by my mother. I lost it at the tavern.”

“I know why.” A new voice interrupts and we both turn to face the fae.

Calanthe stands there, her fingers fidgeting nervously in front of her as she watches me with a troubled expression. “I’ve been meaning to speak with you since you arrived,” she begins hesitantly. “I am so sorry I haven’t. I wasn’t fully sure until recently.”

“What is it, Mother?” Esmeray asks on my behalf, stepping closer andtaking my hand in hers with a gentle, motherly touch.

“Your mother, Vaia, was my best friend,” Calanthe continues, her voice full of emotion. “We grew up together, here in this very castle.” My heart clenches at the confirmation, tears prickling at the corners of my eyes. “Come, sit with me.” She leads us to a nearby bench for resting. Once we sit, she turns to face me and continues. “Your mother knew something was wrong right before your father kidnapped you and took her. She had a feeling he would do something like this. I’m not sure what exactly, but I did believe that you all had perished. That’s why we were all shocked to discover the truth.” She sighs heavily. “She had asked me to make something for you; a pendant to suppress your abilities. She intended to tell you about them when you were old enough so that you wouldn’t be a target, especially with your light hair standing out.” A lone tear falls down her cheek which she quickly brushes away before continuing.

“I should have trusted her instinct and posted guards by her room or something. I feel terrible that you both were taken. But he was quick. I never trusted him but she was so in love and blinded by his charm. Her parents hated him but I suppose that made her love him more.”

“He took me after making a deal with the Zoryan King, Tarius.” They both look at me surprised. “He set a betrothal with Dryston and I.” I scoff at the idea. “I was already betrothed to Eryx. I know that now but I had no idea of my mother’s Khyrelian roots. My father was manipulative and treated my mother and I as if we were an inconvenience.” Tears well in my eyes, “He broke the initial betrothal with my mate to support his own selfish greed.” Anger barrels through me as I run my fingers through my hair. “He made me hide myself away so no one would know. I thought it was for my safety! But he just didn’t want to get caught.” I refuse to let the tears drop so I quickly wipe them away.

Calanthe reaches out a hand to gently grasp mine, offering a comforting squeeze. “I can’t imagine the pain and confusion you must have felt, my dear,” she says softly. “But your mother, Vaia, she was determined to protect you at all costs. She knew the danger you faced with your powers, and she did what she believed was necessary to keep you safe.”

Esmeray’s eyes are filled with a mixture of sadness and understanding as she listens intently. “I can’t imagine how different things would have been if you had known the truth all along,” she murmurs, her tone empathetic.

I take a deep breath, trying to steady my tumultuous emotions. “I may have lost the pendant that suppressed my abilities, but now that I know the truth about my past and my powers, I feel like I am finally starting to understand who I truly am.”

Calanthe smiles gently at me, her eyes reflecting a mix of sorrow and hope. Suddenly, she wraps her arms around me in a hug. It’s warm and comforting. And I realize how much I desperately miss my own mother.

* * *

Furrowing my brow in concentration, I watch as Eryx, Esmeray, Hadeon, and I stand around the war table, our fingers carefully maneuvering the miniature pieces as if we’re playing a high-stakes game of chess. Mentally picturing the battlefield, I quickly grab figures to represent different troops and move them around accordingly. “This is what he has planned,” I declare with a confident nod, pointing to the positions of his army on the map before us. “Asterlayna may be too big for him to conquer outright, but he’ll try to surround it and cut us off.” A surge of frustration washes over me. “I can’t believe that if I weren’t giving him a wedding gift, I would never had found out his plans.” Rolling my eyes at the absurdity of it all, I feel Eryx’s hand gently cover mine on the table, bringing my attention back to him as he leans in to speak softly in my ear.

“You wanted to believe the best in him. You wanted to love him and do what was best for Zorya. There is nothing wrong with that.”

“Even if your feelings were misplaced.” Esmeray states and Hadeon smacks her arm.

“Will you shut up? She already knows that.” I smile at them.

“You’re both right. Besides, Hadeon, I like when Esmeray speaks withouta filter. It’s how I know she’s telling the truth.” I give him a pointed yet lightly playful look while a blush rises to his cheeks and Esmeray laughs. I forgive Hadeon for lying. I don’t have it in my heart to be mad at him anymore. I need him as much as I need the rest of this family to get me through this war.

“I think,” I look back at the board, “If it’s okay with Esmeray and Hadeon, since they manage your army, we should place troops here… and here… and here. He’ll be genuinely surprised. But we can evacuate these towns here… and here where they’ll be hit hard since they’re small but we can minimize damage, making it easier for us to attack with little to no casualties.” I stand back and watch their reactions. I can see them all contemplate the decisions; Hadeon and Esmeray meeting each others eyes to gauge what they think.

“Alright.” The raven-haired general claps her hands, “Let’s get this bi-.”

“Esmeray!” Hadeon scolds her from cursing.

“What?” She looks around at us confused, “What did I say?” He rolls his eyes before walking from the room with her following and I let out a laugh.

Once the door shuts I look at Eryx, only to find him staring at me provocatively. “Are they always like that?”

“I am surprised they haven’t slept together yet, honestly. He’s like mine and Ruelle’s brother but I’ve never been able to say that about Esmeray. They’ve always had this rivalry that’s split between hate and lust. They’ll probably come to their senses after the war.” He chuckles at the pair before eyeing me and licking his lips.

A bolt of electricity surges through my body, igniting every nerve and sending tingles down to my core. My mind is consumed with the thought of his lips pressed against mine.

“Verena,” he purrs my name like it’s a precious gem rolling off his tongue. The sound sends shivers down my spine, making me ache for his touch.

“Eryx,” I breathe out, my voice laced with desire as I anticipate his next move. He moves toward me like a wolf hunts a hare, slowly until he’s right in front of me. His scent engulfs me, overwhelming my senses and leaving me unable to think clearly.

His strong hands grip the back of my thighs, lifting me effortlessly andplacing me on the war table. He leans in closer, taking a deep breath as he scents every inch of my skin from my chest up to my neck. A rush of pleasure courses through me at the intimate gesture, causing my hands to instinctively tighten their grip on his muscular arms. His tongue traces a wet trail up the side of my neck before capturing my lips in a hungry kiss. A moan escapes my throat as our tongues battle for dominance, and I know that he will undoubtedly win.

As if fueled by our newly formed mating bond, he thrusts the bodice of my dress down to my waist in one swift motion. Without hesitation, his tongue continues its exploration down my jawline and chest until it finds one of my already hardened nipples. With skilled movements, he alternates between sucking and squeezing them with his hand, drawing more moans from me as I grip onto his hair and pull him closer. The heat between my legs intensifies as the moisture gathers there, begging for his touch.

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