“Yes.”
I have so many questions about the queen, about how she ended up in power. What happened to Maxon’s parents? Why he is only now assuming the throne. But I keep my mouthshut. Thoughts of the young maid from earlier filter through my mind.
“Who was the servant girl who let us into the room earlier?” I ask Kian.
Turning to look down at me, he frowns. “Eve?”
“Green, brown eyes, darkish skin and black hair?”
“Yes. That is Eve. She is a shifter.”
The name doesn’t seem familiar, but her eyes—I know those eyes. But that doesn’t make sense. I’ve never been here before.
It’s official. I am finally losing my mind.
“Most of the maids here are shifters,” Kian continues, nodding to a guard stationed at the door as we pass through.
“Why?”
“Their social standing has been deemed inferior, and they are categorized as part of the lower class.”
Anger ignites in my stomach, and I draw to a halt. “That’s ridiculous!!” I exclaim, my hands flying to my hips as I glare at him.
Kian holds his palms up. “I didn’t say I agreed. And before you ask, neither does the prince. He plans on changing that as soon as he takes the throne. It wasn’t always this way.”
“What do you mean?”
“A long time ago, it wasn’t just us high fae ruling Faerie. The druids ruled over the forest, the fae over the cities. During this time, there was equality. It didn’t matter who or what you were. The druids were fair and kind. They, how would you put it . . . ” He pauses for a moment. “They kept the high fae tempered. Kept order among the groups. Those Outcasts who attacked you didn’t exist until the druids were hunted to near extinction. They banded together in protest of the death of their king and queen.Over the years, some have become thieves and felons. Now, any who follow the druids remain hidden among us, too scared to reveal themselves.”
My mind whirls as I go over this new information. “Why would you hunt them?”
Kian looks down at me, the pink hue of his lavender eyes seems to deepen with an emotion I can’t name. “A prophecy. It’s always about prophecy,” he mutters.
“What is the prophecy?”
Kian stops next to a rosebush, the white flowers in perfect bloom. I can’t help but reach out, letting my fingers trace the soft velvet petals as I wait. I know it’s silly, but it feels as if the flowers are reaching for my touch.
“It was said that a druid would be born who possessed power greater than any before her.” Kian’s voice drops to a whisper drawing my attention.
“It was from the whispers of ancient trees and the murmurs of the sacred groves.
A druid born under a crescent moon’s gentle glow, shall wield power unmeasured in realms both high and low.
With magic deep within, she’ll rise, her destiny unknown,
To shake the faerie realm, where mystic secrets are sown.
Her heart a beacon of the woods, her spirit strong and free,
She’ll dance with stars and call the winds.
Beneath the moon’s enchanting light, she’ll rise to claim her throne,
Uniting realms of faerie, her power fully grown.
With wisdom, love, and courage, she’ll mend what once was torn,
For in her hands, the faerie world shall be reborn.”
