Page 30 of Ruthless Fae King

I explained how sometimes he was malicious and dangerous, the villain we’d come to know in the dungeons, and sometimes, I saw him for what he could be. Or for what he’d once been—filled with light.

“There’s still something there,” I concluded. “That changes everything.”

“That does change everything,” Mom agreed. “I didn’t realize you had this gift.”

“What gift?”

“You see something in them that no one else can—you see the light that still remains. It’s a gift, a magical power unique to you, Hazel.”

I blinked at her. I hadn’t realized it was unique.

“We all have something that makes us special,” Mom added.

She was training to be a priestess with visions that were unlike any other. Ellie had the light, her direct link to Terra that surpassed even what Nylah could do. Rainier was the most powerful Fae king in history, and Zita had a knack for fighting, for knowing ahead of time where the enemy would be and what they would do so that she always won. It had only become apparent recently, but it was there.

I had something of my own, too.

Mom and Zita exchanged glances.

“What?” I questioned when I noticed a silent conversation passed between them.

“You like Erol, don’t you?” Mom asked.

I shook my head, but my cheeks burned. “No, it’s not like that. It’s just what I noticed when I’ve been around him. I can’t like him, Mom. He treated us terribly, and—”

“He was under Falx’s rule, just like Ellie was,” she interrupted. “And everyone who isn’t inherently evil deserves forgiveness. I know I don’t hate him for what he did anymore.”

The truth was that I didn’t hate him anymore, either. Far from it. I wasn’t ready to admit that I felt something for him, though.

“Can I give you a word of advice?” Mom asked.

“Please,” I said.

She was much older than I was, and she’d accumulated years and years of wisdom.

“Don’t be afraid to love. What you feel is never wrong—trust your heart to guide you.”

Mom glanced at Zita again, and I didn’t miss the gaze that passed between them. It was clear that they were a lot closer than I’d realized, connected on a different level.

Was it that easy? I considered my mom’s words. Would my heart truly lead me in the right direction? Would it guide me to where I needed to go, or would it lead me astray?

I’d never been in love. My whole life had been about survival. I’d only been a teen when Falx’s guards had thrown us in a dungeon, and thinking about boys and first kisses had been the furthest from my mind.

The attraction to Erol was there. It was real, and it was strong.

I just hoped that it was right, too. Erol was still rooted in darkness, and despite the spark of light I saw within him, he still had his free will. He could still choose to remain bound to the darkness, to be a Conjurite.

I couldn’t be attached to someone like that.

I hoped he would choose to come to the light, not only because I liked him and wanted to get to know him better, but because everyone deserved to be saved from the darkness they were caught up in. Even Erol, with his wicked ways when we’d been captives here. Even the Conjurite daughter who was so filled with resentment.

Everyone deserved a second chance, to be allowed to hope.

10

EROL

“Avisitor for you, sir,” a servant said when I sat at my desk in the office.

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