Morgan was back in the throne room where she’d shot Jasper. Despite the attempts to clear the room of evidence, Morgan had found the spot where a bullet wedged itself into the floor, leaving a small nick on the polished stone where someone had pried it out. She slipped off her heels and rubbed the spot with her bare foot, reminding herself that it actually happened. She'd actually shot a man in this very room.
The strange thing was that she still didn’t regret it. She thought she’d have some feelings other than satisfaction and relief, but she didn’t. Those feelings never came, and she suspected they never would.
Avery was alive and getting the fairy tale ending to her story.
Morgan pressed her foot back into the tall heels and looked around the crowded room. Susan left to get them both drinks, but Morgan had hesitated, wanting to give herself this reminder of what she’d done here.
When she thought about it, she knew she was living her own sort of fairy tale story too. She was dressed in the finest gown she’d ever seen, ready to join a royal ball. The silver hue was cast in starlight, shimmering and illuminating slightly as she moved. The full skirt and corseted waist made her feel elegant.
But despite the kiss she shared with Rylo, Morgan didn’t want a prince charming to sweep her off her feet. She wanted control, knowledge, and she could gain those things right here in Nephel.
Even today as she and Susan got dressed together, Morgan practiced a spell she’d read in an ancient text. The spell was a way the old witches communicated mind to mind, and Susan had managed to speak directly into Morgan’s mind. Eventually, Morgan could do it back.
Morgan wondered how far she could communicate with Susan when one of them was practicing that incantation. She muttered the incantation under her breath and her mind opened up, like it was creating a pathway between herself and Susan. She searched the crowd and directed her thoughts to her friend’s mind.
Does this work from across a room?Morgan asked as she pressed into Susan’s mind.
She couldn’t make out Susan’s thoughts. Rather, when she pressed into Susan’s mind, Morgan couldfeelher friend’s presence, like they were touching. They’d already tried sending images or emotions across the connected minds, but nothing else seemed to work.
I can hear you clearly. Would you prefer a Bayberry cider or red wine from Nephel?
Morgan couldn’t help but smile at the voice echoing in her mind. It was like having a walkie talkie in her brain. Magic like this definitely beat out any human technology she was missing.
I better try the Bayberry cider.
Morgan saw Susan gliding across the room, carrying two glasses in her hand. All around her, tall winged fae mingled and drank, a giddy energy filled the room.
Good choice. Where are you?
Still by the bullet hole, which is totally morbid. I’ll meet you by that pillar with the sun on it.
Susan smiled at her as they found one another and she passed Morgan her cup. The liquid was bright green, unlike any cider she’d ever seen. She took a sip and she never thought her taste buds could actually dance until now.
“So that was a fun experiment. Can I just take a minute to geek out on how cool learning magic is?”
Susan paused momentarily, like she was contemplating asking what Morgan meant before she said, “I haven’t had this much fun learning magic since I was young. In a way, I’m happy we’re both here, with the library and our shared interest in experimenting with our magic.”
Morgan took another drink of her cider and giggled. “What’s in this stuff? It’s delicious!”
Susan took another sip of her own cider. “It’s made from a rare tree that only grows in Bayberry. It’s quite strong.” Susan giggled at her own statement.
Morgan’s stomach growled and her next drink of cider seemed to go straight to her head. “You know, for being a night celebrating feasting, there’s a serious lack of food around here.”
There were a few servants walking the room with trays of dainty hors d'oeuvres. Morgan grabbed a bite of crusty bread topped with some cured meats and a spicy sauce. Could one of the fae servants trick her into spilling her secrets if she atesomething off this tray? She didn’t know how far those rules went.
“In Bayberry, the celebration begins at midnight and we eat, drink, and dance for two nights straight. There’s a large bonfire and folk will dance around the fire until they collapse in exhaustion. It’s all vegetarian food too. I miss not needing to check if the food I’m about to consume contains meat.”
“Do you wish you were home?” Morgan asked, wiping crumbs from the corner of her lips and feeling a bit guilty about snarfing down some meat in front of Susan.
“I miss home, but in a way, no. I was never allowed to leave. There was too much danger in someone discovering that I’m a human. But now that everyone knows, I have freedom that I’ve never known before.”
Morgan knew what Susan meant. She missed her parents fiercely, and was worried about what they were experiencing with the loss of both their daughters. But, being in Aeritis had awakened something in Morgan that she would have never known if she remained on Earth.
Trumpets blared, echoing off the high ceiling that danced with starlight. Morgan turned to where the sound came from. Fae were moving close around the balcony and the two witches walked together to join the group.
Elio landed on the arm of a gorgeous fae woman. Her cascading blonde hair reached her pristinely white wings. Morgan looked at Susan. Despite the placid smile, her eyes gleamed with jealousy. Behind them, Rylo landed, Selene at his side. She wore a violet gown, encrusted in jewels. The damn thing probably had tens of thousands of dollars worth of gems on it.
But it was Rylo who made her breath escape her in a gasp. His graceful golden wings were out on full view, a magnificent glow to his presence, and his clothing was a brilliant gold, perfectlymatching the subtle hues of his wings. His crown seemed to be kissed with sunlight. It was all too much, looking at this perfect man that had kissed her with such unrelenting passion only a day ago.
