Shailyn pursed her lips at me and squeezed Draya’s hand. “I bet you feel bad now knowing what you know,” she threw at me.
And I did. That was why I was about to ask my next question.
“I want to know one more thing, Draya,” I said, softening my voice. “If you had a choice between living here in the Land of the Fae or going back to the mortal realm, what would you choose?”
“Would I be free here?” she asked.
I nodded. “Yes, but with limitations. You wouldn’t be able to go back to the mortal world. You’d have to leave everyone you know there behind.”
Draya sucked in a breath and broke down, tears soaking her cheeks. “I would say living here would be a dream come true. There’s only pain and heartache in the human world. I’d give anything to stay.” She moved her gaze to the window. “I’ll miss the sunshine and flowers, though. Summer is in my blood.”
Yes, it was.
Shailyn and I exchanged a look and she grinned. “Are you thinking what I’m thinking?”
I nodded. “I think so. That is if you’re okay with it.”
Shailyn placed her other hand around Draya’s. “I am.”
Draya bit her lip nervously. “What’s going on?”
“You’re going to live in the Summer Court,” I said to her.
Draya’s mouth gaped and Shailyn snickered. “I’m going to watch over you. You have a pure soul. Unfortunately, you just got led down the wrong path, but I’ll help you find your way.”
Draya fell to her knees. “Oh my God, thank you.”
“There’s one last thing you must do,” I warned.
Draya lifted her gaze to mine. “Anything.”
“Promises are sacred here in the Land of the Fae. If you promise to do something, you’re bound to fulfill it. There is no going back on your word.”
Draya stood back on her feet. “Tell me what I have to do.”
“All you have to do is promise you’ll make the Land of the Fae your forever home.” I shrugged. “That’s it.”
Smiling, Draya placed a hand over her heart. “I can do that.” She took a deep breath and closed her eyes, clasping her hands together like she was praying to the land. Draya was only half fae which meant she would be the first of her kind to ever live in our realm. I had no clue if the Land of the Fae would even embrace her. “I promise to make the Land of the Fae my forever home,” Draya murmured. “Always.”
As soon as the last word left her lips, something extraordinary happened. Her skin had always been golden like the Summer fae, but it deepened to a richer hue. Her blonde hair brightened like the summer sun; the Land of the Fae had accepted her.
I believed in my realm, so I had to trust it had made the right choice.
Gasping, Draya looked down at her body and sobbed, flinging her arms around Shailyn. “Please tell me this is real.”
Shailyn giggled. “It’s real.” Draya let her go and Shailyn nodded toward the door. “Come on. There’s a lot of things we must discuss.” Then she turned to me. “I’m assuming you don’t want us speaking about the Shadow fae?”
“No,” I replied firmly. “That needs to stay between us. At least for now. Some might not take too kindly with Draya being formerly involved with them.”
Draya held up her hands. “Trust me, the last thing I want are enemies here. You can bet I’ll not say a word.”
Shailyn shrugged. “She’s telling the truth. I think we’ll be fine.”
Shailyn escorted Draya out of the room and they walked together down the hallway. A sense of fulfillment warmed my heart, but it didn’t last long. There was still so much I didn’t know, so much I hated myself for. It was time I ended the Shadow fae, once and for all.
Once nightfall came, it would be time to strike.
Chapter11