Page 42 of Chaos Tempted

“Not particularly enthused?” Oakes raises an eyebrow and runs his hand through his long, brown hair to drag it away from his handsome face.

I pout and plop down in the wooden chair at Oakes’ reading table.

“At least you seem well-rested this morning.” He chuckles. “However, I must inform you that a pouting ambassador is generally frowned upon.”

“Oh, really?” I say sarcastically. “I guess we haven’t gone over that bit yet. How about ahumanambassador? What do your resources say about that?”

Oakes crosses the room and lifts me into an embrace, my legs dangling in his hold. “Please don’t let the naysayers get you down.”

“Naysayers?” I laugh without humor. “I’d prefer naysayers over death threats.”

“I’m sorry we haven’t found who was behind the blood in your room.”

“It probably doesn’t matter much.” I rest my cheek on his muscular shoulder. “They all want me gone.”

“That isn’t true.” Oakes pulls back and looks me directly in the eyes. “I have talked with many of the elves in the castle. Sure, there are a few still upset by your mate bond with us. But most are opening up to the idea of getting to know you and understanding what we must see in you.”

“Truly?” My brows shoot up in shock that he would use his power for me like that. “Youreadthem… with your power?”

“I did.” Oakes smiles reassuringly. “To commit to you was no flippant act. The elves here are intrigued, just as Mage Neven said they would be. In addition, rumors have spread about the flower faeries coming to your aid. It surprised everyone that you won the right to be on an exclusive list of their favored creatures. Perhaps Eldrin is correct in your official designation. We have a chance to change minds.”

“Alright.” A sigh escapes my lips. “I’lltrynot to pout during the ceremony. But I can’t promise anything after that.” After he gives me a peck on the lips and sets me down, I pick the book on top of the enormous stack. “What are you teaching me today?”

“We covered most of the ceremonial protocol yesterday. I think we should get back to focusing completely on blocking psychic invasion and testing your powers.”

I make a face.

“What?” Oakes asks with exasperation.

“I still don’t believe I have powers,” I say quietly.

“Unfortunately, your powers don’t care if you believe in them,” Oakes says, shrugging his massive shoulders.

“Speaking of magic… if I have the power of influence, do you think it’s wise to mess with it?” I ask with all sincerity. “If elves don’t trust me now, they definitely won’t if I get caught.”

“We won’t tell anyone.”

“What about Mage Neven? Do you think she knows?”

“Possibly.” Oakes looks concerned by the idea, and he sits down in one of the oversized chairs, pulling me into his lap. His muscular arms wrap around me protectively. “I suppose we should investigate. And discover if she intends on telling anyone.”

“If my influencing power comes from Twyla, do you think Twyla knows she has it?” I ask.

“Perhaps, perhaps not.” Oakes rests his chin on the top of my head. “I’m not sure how fast changelings develop, but if her her ability to heal is any indication, she seemed to have come into her power much earlier than regular elves. She probably has discovered all her abilities by now. And shewouldknow.”

“When did you discover your powers?”

“I was quite young, twenty-five, when I manifested minor healing power. But my ability to pick up on emotions and thoughts didn’t emerge until I was fifty,” Oakes explains. “And some elves never display special abilities.”

“Like Eldrin?”

“He’s just come into maturity at sixty,” Oakes says with apprehension in his voice. “He might develop something, but usually there should have been signs of a gift before now. The latest age I’ve heard of a power revealing itself was around seventy.”

“So, Twyla might already have her powers and know how to use them?” I ask. “And Eldrin might not have any.”

“Or you could be mirroring her, and she might not have realized she has the gift of influence yet.” Oakes tilts his head. “If she isn’t inclined to influence a situation or person, she wouldn’t have stumbled on it by accident.”

I think about my vision of her conversation with my father. “But we know now the Mage Weaver visited her in the mortal realm. Twyla could have been instructed on how to reveal what powers she has. And if she has developed earlier than most…”

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