Page 112 of Kiss of Fire

He tried to end the deal. That day he told you Aelah was dead. He said your father was dead too. Did he know the truth? Is that why he lied?

And the things he’d said about Aelfric.His mind is twisted. They say his castle is littered with jars containing fairy bones.The crystal hum expanded in her mind. Lies. All lies.

Shade had deliberately deceived her, just like Aelah had. She was a fool to have trusted him. Aelfric was wonderful. The most charming, charismatic, captivating person she’d ever known.

Her heart welled with pride.

He was her father.

Tor’s voice sounded in her head.

Elven are powerful fae. They bend reality around them.

No. Aelfric had opened her eyes. He had restored her fae heritage.

Aelfric’s glamours are the strongest and darkest.

No. She knew who she was now.

“What are you thinking, my daughter?”

“That people have been lying to me for a very long time.”

“Not me. I would never lie to you.”

“Then why did my mother leave you?”

“Aelah was headstrong. For a time, we were inseparable. But then she changed. Became cold and selfish. She wanted to hurt me so she ran away and made sure I would never find you. And I have spent such a long time looking. I had my shaitun scouring for every clue. Following every lead.”

“Why did she hate you so much?”

“Your mother was afraid of emotional attachments. That’s why she left me. And that’s why she gave you away to strangers. You think she wanted to protect you? She never wanted you in the first place.”

His words simultaneously hurt her and confirmed everything she’d ever suspected. Her mother had never wanted a baby. She’d abandoned her right after she was born. What kind of mother did that?

But it didn’t matter now. All this time she’d been trying to find a woman who wanted nothing to do with her, and instead she’d found a father.

A wonderful, caring father.

“I hope I’m not a disappointment,” she said. Aelfric smiled, and his eyes sparkled.

“I’m told your name is Raya?”

“Suraya. At least I… I think it is.” Suddenly she wasn’t sure of anything any more.

“Suraya.” He rolled the word round his mouth as if tasting it. “It isn’t an elven name. But it will do for now. Well, Suraya, let us make you look more like a princess.” He gestured at the image still standing motionless in front of them. “Do you like the way you look here?”

“Yes, but it’s not real. I’m not that tall and my face isn’t that pretty.”

“Nonsense. It’s how other people will see you, if you want.”

Raya examined the image again. Aelfric had made her look like a supermodel. How could she refuse that?

“Yes. But how…?”

He waved his hand. The image vanished, but now Raya was wearing the violet dress. Her hands were clean and unblemished, and there were no cuts on her face.

She felt strong and beautiful. Invincible.

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