They were so in love, so happy.
Slamming the book shut, anger stings my eyes. How could they keep all this from me?
My grief and anger have me pushing away from the readingtable. I stalk over to the bookshelf and gently slide the book back in its spot. It’s not the book’s fault that my parents lied to me my whole life about my entire existence. I don’t even have anyone here that I can complain about this to, at least not anyone who understands me or them.
I wish Lachlan were here.
My mind conjures him up, the scent of cedar lingering in the air; he’s always been my safe space. I plop back down at the reading table, allowing his memory to soothe my frazzled nerves. I close my eyes, imagining his arms wrapping around me in comfort. My head tips back to the sun streaming in through the roof.
I whisper his words, “Tomorrow will be better.”
11
COUNCIL MEETING
Tomorrow is not better.
My body feels like I’ve been hit by a truck. Every single muscle aches and throbs. Even after a large meal, a long soak in the tub sprinkled with salts and floating petals, and a good night’s rest, I still wake feeling like death.
I rise earlier than I did the day before. The sun is starting to peek above the mountains in the distance that are visible from my windows. The brief stabbing pain between my shoulder blades has become constant. The pain increased suddenly and dragged me from bed bright and early.
On my walk to the dining hall, I think through ways to bring up Julius’ abuse towards me to Odessa without seeming weak or stirring up too much trouble. My fingers tug on my lilac skirt as I worry over what to say. My eyes are on my feet as my mind works through different scenarios, each one ending disastrously.
As I turn the corner, my eyes fleetingly rise, and I catch a glimpse of Evander. He’s walking beside someone, his body and wings blocking most of the stranger. His longer, dark hair is a sharp contrast to Evander’s copper as it gleams in the sunlight.I’m assuming it’s a male since he, too, has raven-colored wings like Evander’s. But this man is a whole head taller, and his wings are enormous. Their feathers ruffle as they briskly exit the throne room onto the terrace.
They’re gone in an instant, but a desire to follow to see the stranger’s face causes me to halt. However, when my stomach growls, its hollowness threatening, I shove away the urge and keep trudging to the dining hall.
Odessa is already seated and biting into her breakfast, a thick slab of rye bread smothered in lingonberry jam, when I plop down in the chair next to her.
“Good morning, darling, how’re you feeling today?” She takes a sip from her tea and looks at me expectantly.
Darling?She certainly is in a great mood this morning. Maybe now would be the perfect time to voice my concerns.
“Um, alright, but I need to—” I roll my shoulders back, trying to work out the words, but I flinch. The movement sends shooting pain down my spine and up my neck.
“What is it?” she asks, reaching a hand towards me; her face is full of concern.
“I woke up with a sharp pain in my back,” I reply.
I tilt my neck from side to side, trying to ease the aching muscles. I need to tell her about Julius, but the pain is crippling.
“Do you mind if I take a look?” She stands abruptly.
“Not at all,” I reply, worry immediately replacing my hunger.
Odessa pulls at a strand of my leather top, moving the weaves of leather across my back to take a peek at my skin.
A small gasp escapes her, and my muscles lock into place, fear slicing through me. But she happily squeals, “Your wings are budding!”
“You’re joking,” I accuse, whipping around to face her, sending more sparks of pain throughout my back. I ignore the pain as my mouth parts in surprise or shock. I’m not really surewhich one. Perhaps I really do belong here. With that thought, a small smile begins to bloom across my face.
Odessa claps her hands together and shakes her head. “Oh, how exciting! I had hoped you would grow wings, but I didn’t know if it was possible since you had been with the humans for so long. Then I thought, even if you did grow them, it would take ages. But my goodness, how exciting!”
Her words come out in a rush, and her smile is genuine. But there’s something off about her eyes; they seem darker than yesterday, the gray fully eclipsing the blue.
She notices my lack of enthusiasm. “Are you not thrilled?” Her excitement sputters out as she sits back down.
I’m beyond excited. It has been a dream of mine since I was a child to be able to fly. But the pain of a dream coming true and then having to leave it behind when I return to Gran causes guilt to crash upon me like waves.
