Page 73 of Don't Fae With Dragons

“I mean it,” she states, planting her feet firmly. “It’sAurora, she’s not going to talk to me if you’re there. I made Max and Port stay behind, too.”

I roll my eyes. “Well, good thing I’m not Port or Max, then, isn’t it?”

Spinning Mili around with my hands, I begin to walk both of us down the path to Chrysthinia’s. Mili groans, but allows me to lead her. I feel a glimmer of some kind of pride in my chest; as much as I hate to admit it, it feels good to have moments like these with just the two of us.

The group dynamic is special, no doubt about that, but there’s something electric between Mili and me. Maybe it’s because I’m not afraid to call her out when she’s wrong, or maybe it’s because she challenges me in a way nobody else can. Whatever it is, I’m glad for it.

And thank the Realm’s Mother she’s not walking into this encounter with Aurora completely alone.

We arrive at Chrysthinia’s, and they hurry putting the spell together. They pull out a translucent gold scrying orb, and my eyes wander over it appraisingly. I find myself wondering how a village wizard gets their hands on such a valuable piece of magick, but my thoughts are interrupted by Chrysthinia beginning the location.

Mili and I hold hands as Chrysthinia chants:

She may be far, she may be near.

Find her footsteps, find her hands.

She must be there, she is not here.

She will be found, she will appear.

As Chrysthinia’s eyes twitch, closed firmly as they rest their hands on either side of the scrying orb, a wavering image of a blonde faery forms in the magickal sphere. My eyes widen with insuppressible interest in the spell, but Mili kneels with focus and gazes into the orb.

The image within the orb sharpens and the image of a decrepit driftwood cabin forms around Aurora’s shining yellow hair. I purse my lips together in thought:where are there cabins of that age in Ethelinda?

Mili looks similarly focused, although her gaze drifts up to the ceiling as she begins to think through what, exactly the orb is showing us. Chrysthinia sighs, the spell completed, and taps their finger on the orb nonchalantly, mapping out the room it’s showing us.

I don’t know how in the Realm they can be so casual about such a powerful piece of magick; it’s as impressive as it is irksome. I shake the thoughts out of my head and turn back to Mili.

Her eyes are closed, scrunched together, but they fly open after a moment. She turns to Chrysthinia with a grin, “She’s in the South!”

Chrysthinia hums approvingly. “You remembered the old village, hm?”

“Thank the gods I did, too,” Mili sighs. “I have to go to her.”

“I’m coming, too,” I announce, crossing my arms sternly.

Mili rolls her eyes and replies, “Nobody said you weren’t, silly.”

At that, I feel my ears redden with a tinge of embarrassment, but I force myself to scowl and pretend not to mind her words. “Well, let’s go, then.”

“Alright, charmer,” Mili winks, smirking.I swear this woman can see right through me.

Chrysthinia walks us both back out of their cottage, and Mili waves nervously as we leave. The wizard nods sagely at her, and some unspoken understanding seems to pass between them. Mili stands a little taller after that as we fly above the road to the Southern beach.

–––

When we finally arrive at the beach, several hours later, the Sun is falling low in the sky. The two of us land quietly on the sand, and I turn to squeeze Mili’s shoulder gently in what I hope comes across as a reassuring gesture. Luckily, Mili turns to smile softly at me, appreciative.

She bites her lip, then, and I tilt my head in a silent question. “I want to go in alone, Cory.”

I sigh. “I was worried you’d say that.”

“I mean it,” she frowns. “Aurora won’t talk to me if you’re there.”

“We’llmakeher,” I snarl. “After she almost destroyed the entire town, it’s the least she can do.”

Mili scoffs and crosses her arms. “You can’t just intimidate someone into a conversation, Cory.”

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