I sipped it, savoring the warmth as a wave of calm settled over me. Staring at the tea, it looked normal, just like any other, but I knew she must have spelled it or enhanced the leaves while they were still growing on the stalk. The way she always knew what would be needed was astounding.
“She does always seem to know what everyone needs when they need it, doesn’t she?” Thana asked as I visibly relaxed. She reached across to pick up the book from my nightstand and flipped through the pages. “Is this the one about the knight and the servant? I believe I’ve already read this one.” She stood, strolling to the window.
“Still raining I see,” she said softly. It was daytime now, but the heavy clouds still blocked the sun, casting the castle in darkness just as they had when I woke days ago.
“I can’t control it. I don’t know how or why it’s doing this, much less how to stop it.” Guilt pricked at me and I averted my gaze.
“It’s connected to your emotions,” she said.
My eyes snapped back to her. “What? How do you know?”
“All Fae magic is connected that way. Usually, the magic presents when you’re very young and you have several years to learn to wield it and adapt before it fully develops to full strength. You, however—your magic was thrust upon you at full strength all at once.” She turned to me. “It is completely understandable that you haven’t mastered it yet. You will one day, though.”
So many emotions bombarded me at once—guilt, disappointment, embarrassment. If I had been born and raised here with my biological father, I wouldn’t be in this situation. I would’ve known how to control it.
“How will I ever learn?” I asked aloud, not really expecting an answer.
“You should speak with Alden. He did train King Vaelor after all.”
My mouth fell open as irritation bit at me.
“Why am I just now hearing of this? No one has explained anything,” I said, exasperated.
“You never asked,” she said, shrugging her shoulders, and I glared at her. “Alright, seeing as you don’t have a book for me this time, I’ll leave you to yours.” She walked to the door, looking back over her shoulder. “Do let me know what you think of those two when you get a chance,” she said, continuing down the stairs.
I stared after her, my jaw still on the floor.
I never asked?
Rolling my eyes, I grabbed the small, brown book and flipped it open, attempting to distract myself. It only lasted a few, irritating minutes. Huffing, I stood and raced down the stairs to the library.
“It’s so nice to see you out and about, Ara. Welcome back,” Alden said with a small smile. With his long hair braided behind his back, his neck was visible. The bruises were gone, but it did nothing to lessen the guilt. Seeing him only reminded me of what Rogue had done because of me.
“Hi Alden, I was actually hoping to speak with you.”
“What is it?” he asked, tilting his head with curiosity.
“Thana mentioned you may be able to help me with my magic. As you helped Vaelor.”
“Ah, I see. Is that something you desire? To learn to wield it?”
“Well, yes…” I said, my brows creasing with confusion. “I have to stop this rain.”
“With magic, it will mean more than that. When you decide to connect with it, it will meld with you. It will become a part of you and you of it, as it always should’ve been. You must decide if that is something you truly want because it will not be easy,” he explained.
Everything had happened so fast, I didn’t have a minute to think about what I wanted. But that was something I loved about Alden. He always gave me the truthandthe choice. He was the only one.
I turned to the large, open window, biting my lip as I considered it.Is that what I wanted?
As I stared, the rain lightened, the clouds thinning slightly. Through a small gap, beams of yellow, hazy sunlight peeked through, bouncing off the sparkling waves for the first time in days.
My lips parted as the sky answered for me.
My connection to the sky had only deepened since the awakening of my magic, and I felt it reaching out to me, weeping for me. With me. And the thought of melding with my magic, with the sky, suddenly seemed… right. Like maybe I wouldn’t feel so alone.
“Yes,” I declared, turning back to Alden. “Yes, I want to learn.”
He beamed, grinning ear to ear.