It may help me save Kaden.
Baris looks down at me, hunched over, and his limp fingers hang over his knees. Covered in travel dirt and grim, he shouldn’t look so regal.
“You need to know who you are.”
“I already know of the prophecy.”
“Outside of it. Or rather,becauseof it.”
Shaking my head, I gesture to the room. “I don’t understand?—”
The air shifts, and my father grows taller, moving his shoulders as large blackwingsunfurl from his back. Not just wings, but dripping arches of black, translucent things that dwarf his body, suffocating the room. I pant from the thin air—or maybe it’s shock that prevents me from breathing.
Wings. Where have those been all this time? Does my father have magic?
“Wings,” I murmur, amazed.
“Wings,” he agrees quietly.
My mind races. No one has wings. There are old stories of ancient Fairies having them, true. But those were generations ago. Fairies eventually mated with Humans due to their ability to conceive easier, producing the Fae. Fairies eventually went extinct.
Swallowing around a lump, I say, “If you have wings, then does that mean…”
“That I’m a Fairy, yes.” He watches me closely. “And a prince.”
Now, I stand, face ashen. My fingers tremble, magic reacting as attacked. How did I miss this? “A prince? But there’s no kingdom of Fairy.”
“Well,” he drawls, leaning back. “There is. In the mountains.” He points through the window, to a mountain range covered in fog and shadows. An imposing structure, it’s been in the distance since we started this journey but I’ve paid it no heed. All my attention has been on getting to the Veridian Palace, to see the queen. “But no one can go there.”
Running a hand over my face, I faulter with what I’m being told. What I’m seeing—his wings flutter behind him as if to tease me.
They’re beings of judgement. Beautiful creations and I can’t help but trace their lines with my eyes, completely dumbstruck.
How is this possible?
“I’m going to need you to start at the beginning. Because all of this,” I say, looking at his back again, “is a lot.”
“As I knew it would be, and knew we needed privacy.” He stands, giving me the chair and waits until I sit before continuing. “Long ago, there was a kingdom in the mountains, a Kingdom of Summus.”
Fenrir’s comments about legends and myths ring true. My father is proof of it.
On Cella and Ger’s brow…
“They were the last kingdom of true Fairies. Our blood remained full of magic.” He turns wistful. “It was a peaceful kingdom, and was ruled by King Maximillian and Queen Aella.” I gasp.I was named after my father’s father?
He smirks, realizing I made the connection. “I told Thea this story years before you were born. She knew I was close to my father, and when you were born, insisted on naming you in his honor.”
Sighing, my father looks to his fists.“Your mother was the only woman I’ve ever loved. When I met her, I knew we were Heartbonds, destined to be together in this life or the next.”
“Did she feel the same?”
“Gods no.” He laughs. “She tried to kill me. Thankfully, Blut Witches have this amazing ability to not be able to control their mates.” He taps his chest fondly. “But because of my heritage, what I am, I didn’t die when she did.” My eyes water as he hangs his head. Sorrow comes from him in thick waves. “Though I lived, a piece of me did die with your mother. And every day since, I’ve wished to be reunited.”
He looks at me, face drawn. “But I’ve come to realize something, Max. I lived not because I’m strong enough to survive, but because of you.Youare my purpose.”
He turns, continuing his story. “That’s why I must tell you this. Myparents were kind, my world lived in harmony. Fairies live long, but age quickly like Humans when young. We traded with the Covens and the Humans, and when some of my kind started colonies with those Humans, creating the Fae, we welcomed them.” He glances to his wings. “Fairies hold magic in our blood and that was passed to the Fae. That is how they still continue to influence the world—Dark Fae blood heals all wounds, Woodland Fae heals barren lands.
“Fairies are a bit… different,” he stresses. “Magic manifests in various ways. Plants, weather. Some even control life or death.” Black eyes fasten on to me and I swallow, enraptured. “I had the power of life, little one. My touch would heal the sickest of beings, bring them back from certain perish. It was a powerful magic, rare even for my kind.”
