Page 48 of The Book of Legends
“I’m hoping that’s a good thing.”
She stiffens, eyes still locked on a tall male with white hair and ash-gray eyes. Muscles ripple beneath his skin, tattoos—or are they runes?—wrap his arms.
“Sometimes. But I guess it’s better than not knowing the truth.”
“It’s better to know the truth than believe a lie.”
Memories of that night with Mikah hit me like a punch to the gut. I’m surprised I haven’t thought of him more. Since yesterday, I haven’t really thought about home at all. I’ve been too busy trying to survive—and trying to prove Kainen wrong.
“Sometimes the truth hurts,” Nieve murmurs, eyes still tracking the white-haired Fae.
“How come they don’t use swords like Kainen?” I ask, changing the subject.
It’s obvious she’s watching someone with more than curiosity.
“Metal swords are deadly to our kind,” she says. “They train in hand-to-hand combat, magic, spells... that sort of thing.”
“Does Kainen?—”
“Train with them?” She finishes for me. “Most of the time, yes. He got word this morning that the Nightfallen attacked near the border. That’s why they’re here. These warriors patrol the line between the ocean and Ealriya. They’re the ones who keep the rest of us safe.”
“How many are you?”
“In the beginning? Hundreds of thousands. Different kinds. Fae alone? Thousands, give or take. These men are the elite. They train in secret. That’s why they’re here instead of out there.”
“And Kainen?”
“He went to see how many we’ve lost and what the Nightfallen took.”
“Who are the Nightfallen?”
“No one knows. But they come in packs—like last night. They can mimic any of our kind. Nightweavers... but deadlier. Wolves. Fae. The only thing they can’t shapeshift into is humans. That’s the only reason you’re still alive.”
“So... if I were a goat, I’d be dead?”
She laughs, catching the attention of several of the Fae.
“Well, well. Nieve brought the prisoner out to play,” a voice calls.
Nieve rolls her eyes. “She’s not a prisoner, Tristan.”
Tristan turns toward us. His eyes land on me. “That’s not what Prince Kainen told us.”
“Prince Kainen has a hard time believing people,” I blurt.
Tristan raises a perfect white brow. “Does he know you said that?”
“Plenty,” I snap.
The corner of his lip lifts. “You came dressed for battle.”
The others around him chuckle.
“Stop it, Tristan,” Nieve says, her tone sharp.
“Are you still mad, Nieve?”
Her cheeks flush. “No.”
