Page 115 of Dreams and Dragon Wings
I see the path so clearly now. It blazes in my mind like a north star, guiding me onward.
And with it comes a golden warmth that sweeps through me, burning away every doubtful shadow from my heart, my mind, my soul. Filling me with joy.
A rapturous joy beyond any I have ever known.
« Then I will be your strength. »
The chains binding my ankles fall away in the next moment as threads of Spirit and Earth spring to my fingertips. He shows me the weave to set me free.
And beyond that, He gifts me one final truth.
A truth that leaves me breathless and rocks me to my very core.
The name of my father, the man the world has forgotten—
Rowan.
Rowan val’Anasi, King of the Fae.
Chapter 37
Aurelia
Silence is my companion once more as I follow Rowan back to my bedchamber. Again, we pass the portrait on the wall. Again, his steps quicken.
Out of the corner of my eye, I now see the painting clearly for what it is and understand why he does not wish to linger over it. It is a portrait of the last King and Queen of the Flora Vale—him and my mother. No doubt the sight of it brings him nothing but misery. They looked so happy then.
Wonder washes over me again.
My father. Rowan is my father.
There are so many things I wish to ask him, but I dare not. Now is not the time. If he wanted me to know his secret, he would have told me himself when we first met.
Breathing deep, I vow to keep his secret for now. There will be time for our reunion later.
The Great Weaver willing.
“Hurry!” Ghoul shouts when he spots us coming, his bulging eyes darting frantically here and there. “You’re late! Very late.”
The sudden realization that if Rowan is my father, that makesGhoulmy uncle slams home. I can’t stop myself—I laugh at the very thought. To think that he wished to make a meal of me!
It would seem Drakara is awash in terrible uncles.
At the sound of my laughter, both goblins turn to stare at me, clearly confused.
But when Ghoul notices my lack of chains, his confusion shifts to naked fear. “Where did chains go? King Malice will be angry. Very angry.”
Rowan answers for me. “Therya’feyno longer wished to wear her chains, so she no longer wears them.”
Primly, I add, “Therya’feyhas no reason to flee, therefore there is no need for the chains.”
With a twitch of my fingers, I open the double doors for myself with a simple weave of Air, leaving Ghoul gawking. Taking some small pleasure in his shock, I breeze past and wander into my dreadfully crowded room.
I have much to do and precious little time to do it.
“I will be ready soon enough,” I declare. With a wave of my hand, I slam shut the doors behind me.
Immediately, I drop to a crouch, hunting for Bene’s crumpled letter amongst the many boxes. But even as I do, I reach out with a gossamer-thin strand of Spirit, hunting for one individual in particular here in the castle. For a single, heart-rendingmoment, I almost fear that I am too late. That she is no longer among the living.
