Page 11 of The Other Side of the Mirror

Each eyelid aching, I finally managed to pry my eyes open. I was still lying on Bash’s lap. Relief flitted across his face as his auburn hair flopped over storm-filled eyes. I resolved to push him away the second I could sit up on my own, though the queasiness in my head made that impossible for now.

A slender woman with hair so black it almost blended into the shadows stood over Bash’s shoulder, her deeply tanned skin aglow with some sort of inner light, her turquoise eyes fixed on me. Her head was cocked at a jaunty angle, a permanent hint of a smile on her lips. Next to her stood a man with lavender eyes, full lips, deep-brown skin, and thick, dark braids that fell to his shoulders. He crossed his arms, and his large, defined muscles flexed visibly even under his black linen shirt.

They were so beautiful my heart paused for a second, drinking them in.

With a start, I took in their slightly pointed ears. Then looked up at Bash…and realized he had them too, though I hadn’t noticed before under his unruly locks. I slowly reached up with a trembling hand. There was a gentle point to my own ear where it was once curved.

The understanding hit like a blow.

Fae.

All I could hear was my own ragged breathing in my ears as wave after wave of disbelief washed over me. I had always felt that I was different from most people. But I had never suspected the truth…that I was not human at all and never had been. That I was something else entirely.

I was surprised at the sense of loss I felt. As though my humanity had been stripped from me, leaving someone I no longer recognized.

Did that mean everything Bash told me was true?

Something deep in my gut had believed him even as I fought against it.

Bash’s hand had moved to my face, his thumb brushing against my cheekbone. A rush of warmth moved up my chest to flush my cheeks, and that thumb paused. His hand lingered for a heartbeat before he pulled away.

The other male cleared his throat, interrupting the avalanche of my thoughts. “I’m Rivan, and this is Yael.” His voice was deep, almost luscious—and surprisingly calming. I tried to sit up, and he frowned. “Don’t try to move yet. Your body has been through a shock. Your magic was siphoned into that amulet, probably ever since you left the faerie realm for the mortal one, which is why you had such a visceral reaction. Though I didn’t sense anything permanent.”

“Oh, that’s infinitely reassuring,” I grumbled. “Thanks for clarifying.”

He grinned. “It likely also contained a powerful glamour if you’re just now noticing those ears.”

I reached for my dagger where it was thankfully still attached to my belt, its pommel comforting in my hand. Bash smirked as he saw where my hand had gone.

Rivan let out a booming laugh. “You’re safe in the Faewilds.”

Like I was going to just believe him.

“The Faewilds?”

With a groan, I pushed myself up to take in my surroundings. We were encircled by towering trees, in a clearing full of delicate wildflowers. The scent of lavender and pine permeated the air, the meadow filled with the sound of chirping birds and the gentle rustling of leaves. Yet the trees seemed to be almost alive, with gnarled roots and branches that twisted and turned in impossible ways. Sunbeams filtered through the leafy canopy high above, dappling the forest floor with soft, early-morning light.

How long had I been unconscious?

“The entrance to the faerie realm…” Bash said carefully. “The Faewilds is the forest that separates Agadot from the human world—the boundary to our realm. It’s where we are now.” He paused. “They really told you nothing?”

I hated the pity in his voice. Bash’s hand still gripped my elbow, as though making sure I could stay upright. I yanked my arm from his hold, avoiding those swirling eyes, then forced my protesting muscles to move away from him.

Everything I had thought to be true had been thrown so far off-center, my mind felt like the eye of the storm. Pieces of my past tumbled through my thoughts like debris, with no means of making sense of the chaos.

Bash sighed. “We’re here to help.”

“Since you’ve beensomuch help since you grabbed me,” I scoffed, attempting to deflect his unwanted sympathy.

“I was trying to save your life from a damned golem?—”

“The one I killed while you stood there?” I asked sweetly.

“Okay, yes, but I?—”

“Almost killed me.”

“I…no?—”

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