Page 87 of Chaos Tempted

Glancing over my head while holding me close, Oakes scans the area in more detail. I follow his gaze to see our horse is grazing not too far away. No one else appears to be around.

“I don’t understand why the soldiers didn’t capture us,” Oakes mumbles.

“That would be our doing,” a voice says from behind us.

“Merlara?” I ask, recognizing the voice of my former keeper. “What? How?” I disengage myself from Oakes’ embrace and jump up to confirm that my guess is correct or to defend us if it’s a trick.

Oakes stands behind me, holding me back with an arm around my waist until we understand what’s happening. “How did you know we would be here?” he growls.

“I was watching the portal.” Merlara steps closer.

He moves a half step back, taking me with him.

Reading his cues and having doubts of my own, I ask, “How did you know to watch it or even where it was?”

“We told her about the portal.” The flower faerie, Lalo, flies up from out of nowhere to hover between Merlara and me.

“What?” I shake my head in confusion. “And how didyouknow?”

“We have been spying on the king.” Lalo nervously eyes Oakes for a reaction.

“What information have you gathered?” Oakes asks, devoid of judgment and eager for a report.

Lalo sighs with relief. “We found out about the portal and about the plans for war. We overheard that they wanted to kill Wynstelle. We told Merlara.”

“Why Merlara?” I ask before Oakes can.

Merlara gathers her hands in front of her anxiously. “The little ones have been reporting on you since you left me. I asked them to watch out for you after Oakes delivered the summons. I recognized him from Prince Eldrin’s court years ago.”

I turn to him. “Youdelivered my summons?”

My confusion bewilders Oakes, and he says, “I thought you had already figured that out when I confessed Eldrin’s secret.”

“Master Oakes promised me he would protect you on your journey to Ryven,” Merlara cuts in. “That’s the only reason I didn’t insist on going with you.”

“Oh.” I nod humbly. “I had wondered why you hadn’t wanted to come with me, even with the order not to.”

“Nevertheless, I still sent your friends to spread the word to keep an eye on you. From what I understand, the bear helped kill the ghoul since you were a faerie friend,” Merlara explains with a tentative expression, worrying about the repercussions of her confession. “And yesterday, when I heard about the imminent war, I had hoped I could rescue you from the king’s men. Which I was lucky enough to do.”

“But they should have caught us. The soldiers were right behind me when I fell.” I crinkle my forehead and ask, “How did you prevent them from finding us?”

“I have cloaking magic,” Merlara answers. “I can convince a mind to avoid what is right in front of them. The soldiers simply did not see you anymore.”

“Why didn’t you ever tell me about this magic before?” I cross my arms over my chest defensively, upset that so much has been kept from me.

“I have been using my ability all these years so that others would not discover you.” Merlara holds her hands out for me, hoping to make a connection.

I keep my arms crossed, tucking my hands under so I won’t be tempted to quickly forgive Merlara. “So, when the elves in Betonie avoided or ignored me, it was your doing?”

“Only to keep you safe.” Merlara’s eyes plead for me to understand.

I press my lips together, thinking about how often I was snubbed and brushed off. I always thought it was because I am human.

“That was why I was placed in your care.” I say, making the connection. “So I couldn’t be tracked down by my father.”

“One reason, yes. So you couldn’t be located… by anyone.” Merlara frowns. “If anyone here had become interested in you and suspected who you were, you would have been in danger. That is why I didn’t socialize you much with anyone in the village.”

“But how did Eldrin hear of me then?” I ask, confused now how he knew I existed.

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