Page 160 of Cursed Evermore
I looked around until my gaze landed on the caves carved into the distant mountains, and something inside meknewthat's where the melody called from.
My pace quickened with that realization. But as I reached the furthest line of trees, the melody began to fade. Then it disappeared completely, leaving a still silence in the air.
I whirled around, my heart hammering. Then I froze as I came face to face with a raven-haired Fae girl who stood amongst the moon-colored flowers, watching me.
The sight of her stole my breath. I had no words, no explanation for why I'd been stumbling through the grove like a woman possessed.
I'd never seen her before. She wasn't part of Wolfe's household, not with that bearing, that dress, and that face. I would have remembered someone likeher.
She was breathtaking, like she'd stepped from the frame of a masterpiece.
Raven hair cascaded over ivory shoulders, while eyes the color of storm-touched seas gazed back at me. Her forest-green dress draped perfectly over her willowy frame, its flowing skirt floating like water in the wind.
I was the one who looked like a servant in my basic attire. Everything about this girl screamed nobility, from her regal posture to the exquisite cut of her gown.
Though she appeared no more than twenty summers, she was likely centuries older.
Blessed Mother, what if she was one of Wolfe's consorts? Or hisbetrothed?
When he'd spoken about how the Fae viewed their betrothed, it sounded as if he spoke from experience. It would be just my damn luck to happen upon such a person when I was so conflicted over him.
The beautiful Fae woman smiled at me, and I hoped desperately she couldn't read minds.
“Morning,” I said first, offering a polite smile and a tentative wave.
“Good morning, there.” She had a sweet voice and a warmth to her presence that reminded me of a Faith follower from back home. “You must be the new mage the staff are all excited about.”
“Oh, that's nice to hear.” I chuckled nervously. “Though I didn't mean to cause such a stir.”
“I'm sure you didn't, but it's been quite some time since my brother allowed anyone to stay at Vyrenth Hollow.”
Brother? My eyes snapped wide. She said brother. As in Wolfe?
“Wolfe is your brother?” I couldn't restrain my surprise.
“He is.”
“Oh.” Relief flooded through me at learning she was just his sister, and I hated myself for feeling it.
She laughed, a delicate sound that suited her perfectly. “Don't look so surprised.” The light caught her silver-blue eyes, and I realized why they'd held my attention. Wolfe had the same mesmerizing eyes.
“I'm sorry. I just didn't know Wolfe had a sister.” I made that sound as if I knew more than the meager information he'd shared with me.
“Typical Wolfe. He's one of those... quiet yet demanding types.” She laughed again. “He's either very secretive or very vocal.”
“Yeah. I've noticed that, too.”
She came closer and stretched out a dainty hand for me to take. “I'm Zyrra.”
I shook her hand and smiled. “I'm Elariya.”
“Great to meet you.”
“The same to you.”
“I hear you're training with Arielle. I hope that's going well. It would be wonderful to have a mage from the Ravenwood Realm in our court.”
How odd. It appeared that Wolfe had told his sister the same fabricated story he'd given the staff. Apart from Sirril, the house staff had been told that I was an apprentice mage from the Ravenwood Realm training under Arielle's care.
