Professor Ainslyn gasps alongside Raea; behind us, Rune and Kuron shuffle uneasily, but I just sit, watching, studying. My people. These are my people. Not just because they live in the Okenen Kingdom, but because of the second council. My blood sings at their reveal.
The first woman studies me, tilting her head. "You’re not afraid,” she says. “We serve until our last breath.”
Their leader says, “You must train if you are to win."
“But our powers—” I feel more confused than when we first arrived. “Do we need to do something about the…matingBond?”
He shifts his gaze between the two of us. “The trial of the Bond will be completed in due time. For now, to harness your powers, you must ground yourself in all the elements. Feel them around you, as a part of you.”
They wait expectantly, so I close my eyes and envision burying my feet in the sands of Malaya and then feeling the wind, the power of the oceans, and every living animal. I feel the heartbeat of the planet. It comes so naturally, as if their powers are guiding me, heightening what I see.
“Separate them,” one of the women says. “Envision each of the elements in color. Blue for the water. Red for fire. Gold for energy."
“White for air, green for the planet, silver for lightning,” the other woman coaches. I keep my eyes closed and, in my mind, give color to all I see and feel. Raea's excitement radiates through me as I share with her what I’m seeing.
I open my eyes and turn toward the water. I reach for the blue, twisting my hand and raising my palm, and the water rises in a small column. As I move my hand, the water follows, obeying my command. The connection feels like communication. The elements want to obey me. I twirl my hand, and Raea giggles beside me as the water column becomes a small spout.
“Very good,” the leader says. “Remember, the greatest strength of your power will come when you remain calm and one with the planet. Trust in the gift the gods have given you.”
For the next hour, they share their knowledge of the veil, explaining the two races, fae—which I guess is my ancestral line—and Elven—Raea's line. Both races gave their immortality, or their impossibly long lifespans, to power the veil. We are then given a map, and told not to show it to anyone. After staying for a luncheon of fresh fish and wild berries, we are given a tour of their island and their people, who all know who we are.
Raea was right. They aren’t human. They are fae,mypeople, and knowing the truth, I feel a sudden, fierce need to restore them to their true heritage. Every single one, even the babies, pulses with inherent magic.
Humans, the third council, possess no inherent magic. Yet, despite this, the three races have always lived in harmony, with the Fae and Elven promising protection and sharing their knowledge. In return, humans have agreed to serve and fight alongside us.
As we navigate through the village, the women offer us food they’ve prepared in baskets along with chains of flowers, and the men offer gifts of spears and fishing tools. They’re all in their human form, but I see the pearlescent scales hidden beneath their dark skin. Raea plays with the children and braids a few girls’ hair before we thank them for their hospitality and promise to try our best to keep them safe.
Before we board the ray to take us back to the mainland, where our transport waits, one of the elders stops us. “Soraea, Light-bringer, do not fear your gift, or what is to come. You were chosen for this long before your birth. And he—” she looks to me, “is your mate. Your true match in every way. Take this and find your light, Soraea, or we’re all dead without it.”
Raea opens her palm to see an orb, milky white with streaks of gold, but it moves like a mini weather system inside. Without a second glance, the woman leaves us.
forty-four
. . .
raea
As soon aswe’re launched, Ryker and I find a quiet room upstairs. He looks exhausted, yet there’s a light in his eyes that I haven’t seen before. “So that was a lot.” I look up at him. “I don’t even know where to start. But your powers,” I shake my head and grin at him. “You were amazing.” Seeing him manipulate the water was so mesmerizing.
He chuckles and slides down the wall, propping his knees up in front of him. “I think they helped me somehow. I’ve tried seeing the strand for water before, and all it did was run through you.”
“We’ll keep practicing.”
He nods and pulls me down into his lap, burying his face in my hair. Something settles in me.Mating Bond.As if reading my thoughts, he says, “So, our new titles,” he teases, his fingers dancing along my ribs, tickling me until a smile blooms across my face, and I beg him to stop. “Mate. Should I start calling you my mate?”
Something funny happens to my insides, and now that stone bridge between us makes so much sense. Not a Lumos Bond, but a mating Bond. Stronger. “Not yet. We have to do The Ceremony, or ritual, or whatever he called it. Then you may use whatever title you wish.”
His grin becomes lethal, stealing my breath.
A moment later, his lips settle over my cheek as he whispers, “Mate. Wife. Princess. Queen. Mine,” punctuating each one with a kiss somewhere on my face.
My body erupts in goosebumps. “Who knew you were so romantic?” I tease. My pocket makes a crumpling sound. “The map,” I gasp, pulling out the detailed map they gifted us.
It’s not just our system, but the entire galaxy. The closest system to us is named Auralan. It appears there are only seven planets there. In fact, out of the four different systems, ours is the largest by far. Helix and Sotas have thirteen between them. They’re close together, but sit at the opposite end of the galaxy.
Despite our advancements in hyperjumping, I’m not sure any of the transports could make it there. I don’t even know if they could make it into Auralan. “We have to go to Auralan. That’s where the councils are,” I whisper. “Maybe we’ll find more answers.”
He nods and pulls me closer until my head is resting against his shoulder.
