Crown of Flames and Ash (Courts of Aetheria #2)

Chapter 8

Chapter Eight

A elia

The remainder of the week flew by much faster than it had started. As I stood in the washroom, drawing a brush through my hair and staring at my reflection, I couldn’t believe my time home had already come to an end.

More than that, it was nearly impossible to comprehend that only a few months ago, I’d stood at this very mirror when I discovered the Light Fae mark—or what I later discovered was a Light Fae mark, but which had started out as odd, angry slashes. Pulling the collar of my tunic down, I found the mysterious medallion Aidan had gifted me. If only I could find the answers I sought… Then my fingers moved farther, tracing the pattern of glittering swirls beneath my collarbone.

Why did you choose me Raysa? Who am I?

You do understand that the goddess in her infinite abilities cannot answer you, correct ? Sol’s gruff voice interrupted my musings.

Yes, you impertinent dragon, of course I understand. And stop listening in to my personal ponderings !

I’m trying, Aelia, but at times, you make it quite difficult .

The familiar pounding of air just beyond the flimsy cottage walls had my head instinctively tilting skyward. Except, in the small washroom I found only a dark, thatched ceiling, instead of the immense skylight I was accustomed to at the Conservatory. A tremor shook the earth beneath my feet a moment later, and Sol’s presence bloated my chest.

I’ve arrived .

I guessed as much. We don’t often have earthquakes in Feywood, thank the gods .

Very funny, little Kin. I will wait for you beneath the cover of the trees. No need to terrify more villagers.

I think most have grown accustomed to you by now .

I’m not so sure about that. Your neighbor with the sprawling farmlands gave me the evil eye when I glanced at his goats.

That’s completely understandable .

I suppose. In any case, call for me once you’ve said your goodbyes.

A knot of emotion tightened my throat at the prospect of leaving Aidan once again. Will do. Thanks, Sol .

At least Aidan and I had been on good terms for the last few days. Once Rue and Symon left, I spent every waking moment with him. The only thing we had left to do together was my favorite pastime. Pulling my wild hair into a tie at the top of my head, I hurried out of the washroom.

My dagger was already strapped to my hip, and a buzz of excitement pulsed through my hands. In the past few days, I’d used little rais , the occasional hum of power equal to the sensations I experienced while on Light Fae land. There was clearly something to Reign’s theories about my powers as nothing spurred my reluctant rais to life like standing upon Shadow Fae soil. Dismissing the pointless thoughts for now, I hurried outside to find Aidan awaiting patiently as always at the field adjacent to our cottage. The straw-filled targets stood ten yards away, and already my fingers itched for my blade.

“Are you ready, Aelia?” Aidan’s long hair was swept into a neat tie, as he typically wore it.

“Always.” I moved beside him and drew in a breath before unsheathing my dagger. I thumbed the hilt, the warmth of the crystal beneath sending pops of energy across my skin. I barely held my tongue, wishing I could ask Aidan more questions about its origin.

“Where’s your other dagger?”

Aidan’s question froze the blood in my veins. I spun at him, jaw nearly unhinged. “ Other dagger?”

His light brows furrowed as he regarded me. “I gifted you two blades on your sixteenth birthday, estellira . You left for the Conservatory with both, do you not recall?”

By the goddess, I did not. My thoughts swirled back in time, to every moment I used my dagger while at the academy. Each and every memory only held one.

Memory… Reign!

“That no good, lying, cheating Shadow Fae,” I snarled. “I’m going to murder him!”

“Your professor?”

My head bounced up and down. “Reign’s shadows can infiltrate a Fae’s mind. They can twist and alter memories…” Oh gods, what other thoughts had he stolen from me?

“It takes an extremely powerful Shadow Fae to manipulate memories. Who is this male?”

For some insane reason, I hadn’t even told Aidan the truth about Reign’s royal blood. Perhaps, I did it as punishment for his refusal to tell me about my own mysterious beginnings. And even now, I simply couldn’t force the words from my mouth.

Had Reign manipulated me somehow? Had he forced me into a binding agreement without my knowledge?

“Aelia?”

“I don’t know,” I finally muttered.

Aidan’s hands curled around my shoulders, squeezing. “It is imperative you locate the second dagger.”

“Because of the infernium vein?” I blurted. Blasted loose tongue. I supposed I couldn’t blame it on the alcohol this time.

Aidan blanched, his weary eyes bulging. “How did you know?”

“Since you refuse to tell me anything, I’ve been forced to undertake my own research.” Again, I was not certain why I kept Reign’s name out of it. Embarrassment? Guilt? Now that I knew Aidan was Light Fae, I was certain he’d disapprove of the entirely inappropriate relationship with my ex-professor. And he wouldn’t be wrong. Clearly, he was not to be trusted.

“ Estellira , I am begging you to stop.” Those light gray eyes seared into mine. “Delving into your past will only shatter the future you deserve. You must trust me.” His hands slid down my shoulders and curled around my palms. “Please, promise me you will look no further.”

I willed my mouth to form the words, but I simply couldn’t. It was one thing to accept that Aidan would not tell me the truth, but to agree not to seek it out myself? It was too much.

“I can’t…” I murmured. “Aidan, do you realize what you're asking of me? To turn my back on my past, to forsake the person I was destined to become?”

“If you do not stop, estellira , you will not survive long enough to see that day.”

The breath caught in my throat and icy frost coated my veins at his words, rushing through every inch of me. A blade in the gut would have pierced me less deeply.

“I suppose I’ll have to risk it then.”

Aidan blew out a breath, his shoulders sagging, but a rueful smile curled the corner of his lip. “I wouldn’t expect anything less from you. You are as stubborn as the day is long and fearless to a fault. You are so much like them…”

Emotion quickened my breaths, hot tears suddenly stinging my eyes. “…I am?” I choked out.

Aidan nodded slowly. “And they would be ever so proud of the woman you’ve become.”

I threw my arms around his neck and pulled him into an embrace. “Thank you,” I whispered.

“No, thank you, estellira . Raising you has been my greatest honor.” He slowly released me, holding me out to arm’s length. “Now, let’s get some practice in before that dragon whisks you back to the Conservatory.”

I nodded and curled my fingers around the hilt of my dagger once more. “I promise I’ll find the other blade, Aidan. And no one will discover their secrets.”

“I know you will.” He signaled toward the target across the field. “Now, throw.”

The soaring alabaster turrets of the Conservatory of Luce loomed closer with each flap of Sol’s mighty wings. My heart kicked at my ribs, my pulse matching the thundering tempo.

Reign was a dead Fae.

Despite wishing nothing more than to keep my distance from the duplicitous male, I’d have to deal with his newest treachery immediately. How could he steal one of my daggers and erase it from my memory?

A flicker of fear kindled deep in my core. What if he’d given my dagger to his father, the king? That infernium blade had the power to destroy Light Fae…

Oh, please, Raysa, no. I would never forgive myself.

Fate weaves her own plans for us, little Kin. You must not be so hard on yourself. Much is beyond your control .

Are you saying I’m powerless to fix this, Sol?

I suppose only time will tell .

Sol’s wings angled toward the lush campus below, and we began our descent. With the whipping winds tossing hair across my face, I hazarded a glance over my shoulder at the dark citadel across the river. It loomed dangerously along the border, its obsidian walls gleaming beneath the moonlight.

I should have known never to trust anyone bred in that darkness.