“I’d say ouch, but I agree with you,” I said. “As a half fae, my mom enrolled me in magic classes for years. I was okay at it, but I never showed a real affinity for it.”
Down below, Lady Chrysanthe sniffed. “This is why children should be taught by those from their Court. They’d better recognize the signs.”
“I don’t suppose you couldhappento go away?” I called down to Lady Chrysanthe.
“I was here first,” Lady Chrysanthe said.
“No you weren’t! Linus and I have been practicing magic since seven in the morning here!”
“Precisely! I arrived at six!”
“She’s crazy,” I muttered. I shook my head and made myself refocus. “Can there really be that big a difference in power anyway? I mean, all fae have to use artifacts to use magic—isn’t it more dependent on the artifact you use?”
“You are correct to an extent. Fae do not have individual metrics of power like the wizards do. But it can still be said that there are levels or degrees of power. Some fae can only manage low grade magic like glamours and illusions. Those who are particularly skilled can do things like brew potions. Those with more skill can use higher grade artifacts—like the nobles.”
“That’s fine and dandy, but why—then—am I having problems with my royal artifact?” I asked.
Skye hesitated. “I’m not certain.”
“Here’s the thing.” Lady Chrysanthe topped the last step on the patio staircase, still carrying her teacup. “I think you’ve actually resonated to something bigger, butthatwas the only thing in that room capable of reaching you.”
“How do you know all of this? What are you even doing here?” I asked.
Lady Chrysanthe shrugged elegantly. “I’ve just happened to cross paths with you occasionally and see and hear things.”
“Our security is not tight enough if you’re able to keep wiggling through,” I grumbled.
Lady Chrysanthe ignored me and primly drank from her teacup while pointedly not looking at me or Skye.
She is unbelievably awkward. She obviously wants me to ask her about her theory.
I sighed.At least she isn’t trying to kill me anymore.
“Okay, I’ll bite. What else could I resonate with, Lady Chrysanthe?” I asked. “My night mares? Maybe the shades or glooms?”
Lady Chrysanthe triumphantly tilted her head back. “I think it could be an artifact used by a past ruler that’s on display!”
I wrinkled my forehead. “What?”
Skye leaned forward, intrigued. “Why would you believe that?”
“She’s powerful enough to pull the Night Realm out. Wouldn’t it stand to reason she’s powerful enough to use one of the treasured artifacts?” Lady Chrysanthe said.
“We could certainly test your theory out,” Skye said.
“I’m not convinced—and I’m not super eager to touch royal artifacts either,” I snorted. “Last time Lord Linus had me touch one it lit me up like a Christmas tree! Itwasn’tfine.”
Wrinkles spiderwebbed across Skye’s forehead. “An artifact reacted to you when you touched it?”
“Didn’t you hear what I just said? It fried me with power!” I mulishly crossed my arms across my chest.
Skye set her hands on my shoulders. “Which one?”
I sucked my neck into my shoulders. “The staff of the original king.”
“I’m going to go get it, then you can show us what you mean.” Skye stood up and was halfway across the patio before I realized what she was saying.
“Wait—is that okay? I thought those artifacts were super sacred or something.”
