Page 48 of The Light Falls
He freezes. “Nyssa dumped her daughter in the Underworld?” His tone is incredulous.
Warning signs blink in my head. “She didn’t really know I existed. I lived with my guardian in the Underworld. Are we going to continue training?”
Deep in thought, he doesn’t answer, so I walk over to the tree to collect my things.
A meaty fist grabs the back of my tank. “Training isn’t over, my queen.” He tightens his grip and pulls me backward.
Memories of Leandra doing the same washes over me. Rage rises from the depths of my soul, and everything around me darkens. My hand turns into pure fire, and I spin and grab his arm. Shocked, he immediately releases my shirt. Channeling the power rushing through me, I slam him into the ground so hard it creates a small crater.
Wrapping my shield around me, I jump back and wait for him to attack.
He flips to his feet. “It’s about fucking time. Nice trick,” he says, eyes lit with satisfaction. “Harness the rage inside you. Use it to fuel your power. But don’t bring those emotions into the fight or you’ll lose.” His lip curls and the scar nearest his mouth pulls tight. “Hope you enjoyed the sunshine.”
The rage dissipates, and I swallow, knowing his twisted smile means we’re training in the dark tomorrow.
He arrogantly motions to my stuff. “You can leave.” A second later, he’s gone.
I walk back to my room and fall face down on the soft bed.
* * *
Several hours later,Cormal and Kaius stride into my room, completely disheveled and worn out. They immediately lean over the map on the table and begin to mark it with x’s, lines, and other symbols.
“What are you doing?” I ask, worriedly.
Kaius darts a glance toward me. “Cormal memorized the map in their war room. We’re trying to recreate it, but we have to make sure it’s still accurate. We’ve been slipping in and out of places all day.” With a tired sigh, he rolls his shoulders to alleviate some of the tension in them. “I’ve got to go. I’m taking Solandis on a date tonight.”
Cormal stares at him. “You need to tell her.”
Kaius scowls fiercely. “I will, damn it. I don’t need some pup telling me how to manage my life.” He flips him off and strides out the door.
Shaking his head, Cormal turns to me. “Where are you going?”
Watching his reaction, I tell him. “You said to stick to the schedule. I’ve got a romantic date with Lorn. He’s taking me to the botanical gardens to see night plants. Isn’t that lovely?” I smooth the black strappy jumpsuit I’m wearing and take one last satisfied look in the mirror. “I’d normally ask Solandis, but since she’s not here… What do you think? Does this look good?”
Cormal stands to his full height. “How well do you know Lord Lorn?”
Uneasy, I lift a shoulder. “We’ve gone on a few dates. I like him. Besides being incredibly handsome, he’s funny and considerate. Protective. Cares deeply for his sister. And more importantly, he lacks the arrogance most of the Fae wear like a cloak. Why?”
He walks over to me. “I’ve been investigating him. Did you know his parents were killed by the Fire Fae?”
That must be the reason they asked for reparations. “I knew something bad had happened in his past. Their past. He told me after his parents died that he and his sister struggled financially. They petitioned Nyssa, and she gave them their inheritance, but he called it reparations.”
He tells me how Basilus and Kyra were awarded the land by Nyssa and were massacred two hundred years later.
“Poor Allandra and Lorn. No wonder they don’t talk about their past,” I say, empathizing with them. Cormal looks exasperated. “Look. You know I’ve done a lot of shitty things in my life. Most of them at Leandra’s request, but not all. Sometimes I look around here and it baffles me how I ended up queen of the light. But I’m here, and I’m doing everything I can to be a better person. Lorn obviously has a complicated history, but he’s also building a new life. I haven’t shared all of my past with him, and I’m not sure I ever will. I am choosing to give him the same respect. I appreciate the concern, but we have bigger things on our plate than who I choose to date.”
Dark brows come together, and he pulls me closer. “You ask me personal questions all the time.”
Ignoring how good it feels to be in his arms, I place my hands on his chest, but instead of drawing him closer like I ache to do, I push back to gain some distance. He allows the inches between us to increase by two, but it’s enough. Bright blue eyes stare intently into mine, and for the first time in a long time, I see something in their depths that gives me hope. Internal conflict and jealousy.
“Not that I get any answers,” I reply dryly, refusing to let him off the hook. “Every single thing, good or bad, that I’ve done or that has happened to me is as much a part of your past as it is mine. But it’s entirely one-sided. You dole out bits and pieces of yourself like they’re unicorn tears. I want more than scraps, and I deserve them. Lorn takes me on dates and gives me little presents. We laugh and talk. He tells me about his sister and their life together. It’s wonderful and romantic. I like him.”
I pick up my phone and step out of his arms. “As you said, I’ve got to keep to this schedule of mine. Once I get back, I’d like to go over the map with you to understand it and get your thoughts on the situation.” Walking to the door, I glance over my shoulder and find him standing where I left him. “Thank you for doing all this. I’m going to do everything I can to hold on to my crown and this new life of mine.”
Kian is waiting outside the door. “Portal?”
I raise a hand to cover my yawn and nod. I’m so tired. The last thing I want to do is go see a bunch of plants, but if I had told Cormal, he would have attributed it to Lorn. I meant what I said, though. I like Lorn. He’s handsome and sophisticated, but he’s also genuine. And he makes me feel witty and attractive.
