Page 145 of Chaos and Destiny
I did as he said and tried to imagine what the area would look like completely void. I felt the unfamiliar magic rush from me and opened my eyes as Wren gasped.
“Holy shit. That’s remarkable.” She spun in a slow circle.
I hadn’t cleared the area like I had hoped, but again, I’d opened a massive piece of it, revealing Kai napping on the ground. Wren went to get him while Greeve stayed planted by my side. “Only Fen left, Ara. Can you find him?”
“The little bowl of magic is almost gone. I can probably do it one more time, but that’s all of it.” I could feel my palms sweat as panic rose. If I couldn’t find him, I’d never be able to tell him how I felt. But what if my magic just wasn’t strong enough?
“Wait,” Wren said, jogging back to us. “Ara, try reaching out to him.”
“I’ve tried, I’ve tried reaching out to everyone over these past few days. It doesn’t do any good.”
“No, I mean see if you can feel him like you do your magic. As soon as you feel him, try sending your magic in that direction instead of just letting it pour from you.”
“I’m not in control.”
“Just try it.” She stamped her foot.
I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from sniping at her for ordering me about. She meant well, so I tried taking her advice. I let my heart call out to his. I pictured those beautiful green eyes and his tanned skin, the way he pulled himself out of the water, and the way he smiled when he looked at me. I heard his voice as he made promise after promise to me.You’re my peace.I played those words repeatedly in my mind. The moment I thought I felt him, I pushed the magic, just as Wren had said.
“He’s there,” Greeve pointed.
In an instant, we ran to him. He was farther than the others had been. The moment he realized The Mists were clearing and he saw me, he dropped everything and bolted. We crashed into each other. Physically and on some other level as well. Something within me wrapped so tightly around him, in that moment, I knew I’d never truly be able to let him go again. I pulled away from him only to look into his eyes. To silently convey the feelings I didn’t know how to put to words. I felt the tears fall as he nodded in understanding.
“I thought the worst had happened.” He held me so tight I couldn’t take in a full breath.
“Thanks, Fen,” Kai yelled. “I’m fine by the way. In case you were wondering.”
I gave him a crude gesture. No matter what issues lay between me and Fen, no matter how much I didn’t want to fall for anyone, I hadn’t realized how much I’d missed having him here beside me until he wasn’t anymore. My mother’s warning to trust no one was a lifetime ago. I was foolish for thinking I couldn’t have faith in the one male who was sent to protect me. If he said he was hiding nothing, then I needed to swallow my pride, my fears and believe him.
Chapter 38
NADRA
Sitting on the edge of my fine silk sheets in a room that was not my own, I realized the lesser fae with horns had released me from the hell and prison that was my own tangled mind, or at least he had tried. The king had used his magic to destroy me. My thoughts hadn’t been my own in so long. But I was still a prisoner. To my memories. To the hands that beat me. I would have begged for him without the enchantment and tried to win his heart. But everything was different now. I’d seen a true piece of the cruelty that festered in the world. It had changed me beyond recognition. Once a bubbly socialite, now hardly a female at all.
I ran my fingers along the soft fabric and refused to look at my harrowing reflection. Had my mother seen how I looked and been tortured by her inability to save me? The only one who could save me gave me power over the king. I knew his dangerous plans. The darkness in my mind beckoned me. Coaxed me to live in hatred and betrayal. Convinced me that I was nothing and no one and the world would destroy me. The king would. But if I told him of the lesser fae’s revelations. If I gave him the bracelet and told him of that serum. If I told him about Bryer’s Keep and that there was a worker here named Iva that was also a rebel? Would he let me go?
Chapter 39
TEMIR
“Idon’t understand,” Rook said. “What is it?”
“Just drink it and let me show you.” I folded my hands on the desk between us.
He drank the entire tube of truth serum in one swallow and handed it back to me.
“Try to lie. What is your name?”
“S ... Rook.” His eyes went wide.
“Are you loyal to the rebellion?”
“Yes.”
“Are you trying to lie.”
“Y-yes,” he answered, rapidly blinking as his mouth fell open.
