I appreciated the sentiment, although, in that moment, I couldn’t say that I needed a single other thing to make me happy.
CHAPTERFORTY-NINE
Headmistress Cristala handed me a champagne flute filled with bubbling gold that smelled faintly of pears. “For the soldiers’ sendoff.”
As if I need a reason to accept champs.I took the glass with a soft smile. “Thank you.”
My friends accepted their own flutes, and as soon as the fae headmistress disappeared, Hunter arched his eyebrows. “Different from Spellcasters, huh?”
“Night and day,” Eva replied.
“We just needed to get out. To breathe a little,” Alex said. “Hell, maybe after we leave, we should try something fun and normal just to remember what it feels like. See a movie?”
There was no denying that everything felt different about the fae academy. Although there had still been a lot to do when we’d left Spellcasters an hour before, my parents had insisted that we leave.
They too wanted us to ‘go have fun.’ While I hadn’t been sure I would be able to do that, particularly after saying goodbye to Dasha, and committing to attend her mates’ funerals, I was pleasantly surprised that a little lightness had been able to seep into my soul.
It wasn’t that I’d forgotten about all the terrible things we’d seen or been through, but there was something about the fae academy that made me feel lighter. More free and less worried.
I hoped that when the next year of Spellcasters students arrived here, they’d feel the same way. That no one would experience terror or pain at coming back to school.
“Pardon my interruption,” a soft, regal voice came from behind me. “I’ve been wanting to speak with you four since I noticed you arrive, but the headmistress kept me occupied.”
I turned to find Queen Aquatia standing before me, dressed in an exquisite sea green gown.
“Hi,” I said, and paused for my friends to greet the queen. “I wasn’t expecting to see you at all.”
It wasn’t often that fae royalty came to our realm.
The queen smiled. “I’m grateful for everything that everyone in this world has done, but I wanted to thank you four, and Miss Wake, who I’ve already spoken to, in person. I know the threat isn’t completely over, but you’ve minimized it considerably.”
“People are already searching for the Furies,” Alex said, as if trying to soothe the queen. “All sorts of magicals. Headmaster Ezra and Francis, included.”
“So I’ve heard.” She smiled at him before her eyes turned to me. “Forgive me if this is stepping over the line, but the Tornas told me what you discovered about yourself.”
I stiffened. I didn’t mind that the twins knew, they were my friends. But why would they tell a Faerie queen?
“Please don’t be angry with them. I understand things are different here, but I am their monarch. I asked for updates on anything important, and they felt like they had to tell me. However, your secret is safe with me. I have no intention of spreading the word,” Queen Aquatia assured me. “I only wanted to extend my assistance, should you need it.”
“Do the fae have information on the old gods?”
I’d asked Ms. Seeley, but she hadn’t seemed to think so. Then again, the Spellcasters Faeology professor didn’t live in Faerie. Surely, Aquatia had access to information that Ms. Seeley would know nothing about?
“Not that I'm aware of,” the queen said, dashing my hopes. “However, there are rumors of lost libraries in Faerie. If you’re interested, I could look into them? Additionally, there are a few exceptional historians in my kingdom.”
“I’d appreciate that,” I replied.
“And if you decide to pursue this power and learn to unlock your aether magic, please know we’d be happy to teach you what we know of the aether. If you need the help, that is.”
I drew in a breath. “If I get that far, I’m sure I’ll need your help. I really don’t know what to expect.”
If I searched for knowledge about the godlings and how to unlock those powers within me, what would happen?Couldit even happen? Or had the old gods hidden it for a reason?
“Few do,” the queen replied. “Particularly when they are called on to complete unprecedented tasks.”
At that moment, Headmistress Cristala called attention to the Faerie portal and the soldiers who would be returning home.
Holding the queen’s eye for a moment longer, I nodded before twisting to face her soldiers. With the crowd, I raised my glass, honoring the fae who’d helped us, and toasting to peace in all the realms.
