I stare at the Fae with my fully opened Mind’s Eye, trying to apply the situation to myself, trying to imagine having no Connection—no instinctive caring, no innate concern, no natural affection—with my family and friends. I can’t do it.
Dazed, I stray further from my body. A tremor slithers across my Awareness. I rotate in the direction of the disturbance to See a dark heavy Connection coiled on the ground below the other links, contracting slow and steady like the belly of a python around its dinner…
Chilled, I gather my particles closer together; all at once worried a sudden wind might separate me permanently.
There’s a tug on my hand below. Ian is trying to get my attention. I ignore him.
This new knowledge changes everything. The Fae aren’t arrogant and selfish, they’ve been lost and alone for a century…
I run the fingers of my Mind’s Eye through the air. The elements ripple like liquid gold as the sun hanging overhead scatters miniature droplets of dazzling fire across every fragmented molecule it touches.
Another tug.
I’m not ready to go back yet. I need to examine the ribbons up close. I want to See how the Fae’s Connections have been severed, how my links with them were formed. Quince said I could restore their Connections to each other, but how? Can they be re-made? Stitched back together? I have so many questions. I need more time to search for answers.
Ouch! Something pinched me.
Kaillen has positioned himself directly behind my body in the grove—alarmingly close. I can only see one of his hands…
He wouldn’t dare actually pinch my butt in front of the council, would he?
Yep. He would. He does it again.
My surprised laugh diffuses around me. Hastily, I visualize my center, imagining the opposite of expanding. The dissipated edges of my Awareness shrink until I find myself inside the boundaries of my skin…my chest…smaller and smaller, more solid, less vague…separate from my Mind’s Eye…back to my body.
I elbow Kaillen in the ribs. Composing myself, I open my eyes.
Ian places a kiss on my forehead. “I would dearly love to See this Realm through your Eyes, Lady.”
The warmth of his kiss tickles my skin. My suspicions were wrong. The Fae don’t pity me and they aren’t just using me, either. I’ve Seen the Connections they share with me, even Marcus, who obviously isn’t happy about it.
“I could See,” I speak to the entire group. “I could See where your Connections to each other have been Unmade. But I could also See new Connections growing—they’re like ribbons made of light—from each of you to me. They weren’t strong like the bonds I have with my family, but they were there. I’m a little confused, though. I thought you said the Mind’s Eye is for Seeing atoms and molecules. I’m not great at science but I know relationships aren’t on the Periodic Table.”
“This is what I meant when I told you that in the First Realm the Connections we form with one another are both physical and emotional,” Ian says. “With your Mind’s Eye you are able to See the physical component of this bond. When your Inner Eye is open you’ll be able to See the emotional aspect as well.”
“The rate of vibration in this Realm is so slow that our emotional and physical bonds dissolved almost entirely when we were banished,” Quince explains. “You appear to be finely attuned to the vibration of power of both Realms, Emily.”
“My Sight is too dim to See where my Connections with my people once were,” Ian admits, “but I can See your incredible attachments to your siblings, and I can feel my attachment to you, Lady. It grows stronger as you grow stronger.”
“I saw something else, too.” I shudder. “It was different than my other Connections—heavy and dark on the ground.”
“Not all Connections are positive. Or even healthy, Lady,” says Kaye.
“But it was so big. Bigger and stronger than any of the others.”
“Where did it lead?” Kaillen asks.
“I don’t know. I was afraid to touch it.”
“Sometimes an elf or maiden develops an unhealthy attachment to a person or behavior, or even a memory,” Quince explains. “If an attachment between two Fae sours, the parties must petition to Unmake their bond. It can be a painful process, even when both individuals agree how to proceed. Connections feed on energy, Emily. They can be positive or negative, which is why we don’t form them lightly. In the case of an attachment with a thought or object, the Connection would need to be Unpicked, thread by thread.”
Instinctively I know I could spend every waking moment for the rest of my life unpicking the threads of that dark heavy coil and never be finished.
“I’m sorry to interrupt Lady Quince, but unpicking Connections won’t help Emily break the Seal.”
“Marcus, if you can’t remember what empathy feels like, fake it.” Ian’s words hold reproach.
“No, Marcus is right. I need to focus. How will Seeing with my Mind’s Eye help me break the Seal?”
“You have to Look in order to See,” Gabe says.
“What did you say, Gabe?” Jack asks.
“Nothing. Just something I heard a long time ago.”
“No, it’s not nothing, Gabe.” The medallion tingles at my throat. “Those Connections between us didn’t just appear, right? But I couldn’t See them until I learned how to open my Mind’s Eye and knew what to look for.” I turn to Ian, excited. “I know there isn’t time for you to teach me how to grasp and manipulate the elements, but maybe if you tell me specifically what I’m supposed to look for when we get to the Doorway, I’ll be able to See it and then I can use the Blaze in my wings to form Intention! I’ve done it once already…I bet with practice I could get good enough to break the Seal, maybe even in a few months!”
“Of course you will, Lady.” The pride in Ian’s voice makes me giddy.
“You won’t be alone,” Quince assures. “We’ll be there to help you.”
“We’ll protect you and your family,” Jack promises.
“Emily, your Mind’s Eye is already sharp and true,” Ian says. “Lady Quince and the other maidens will instruct you in opening your Inner Eye and using Blaze.”
Hope reflects back at me from the Fae in the grove. Hope, conviction, and faith…faith in me. It leaves me speechless, but gives me courage, too.
General Ian claps his hands together once. “I propose we strike camp tomorrow at first light and make our way to the Doorway. Are we agreed?”
“Wait, what?” My throat closes up. “Tomorrow? NoNoNONONO! I thought I would have weeks to train…!” My words are trampled as each council member agrees in unison, raising a war cry in the grove.
When the noise dies down, Ian turns to me. “Emily, we wouldn’t risk this attempt if we weren’t convinced you’re ready.”
Vertigo hacks at my legs. This can’t be happening.
Ian issues orders: “Marcus, you and your elves are to leave at once. Alert Drake that we will be ready by noon tomorrow. Secure the area and position a guard around the Doorway. Elizabeth, I ask that you and your squadron of maidens accompany them.”
“We will,” Lizzie answers.
“Jack, you will lead the short range marksmen. Lady Kaye, you will lead the long-range snipers. I’ll coordinate defensive maneuvers if necessary. I want two warriors—one male and one female—assigned to protect each of the younger Alvey children. Lady Quince, I ask that you oversee this assignment.”
“Of course.”
“Son, will you act as Lady Emily’s bodyguard?” Ian asks.
“With honor Father,” Kaillen replies.
“Gabe, do you still wish to continue with us?”
“I do.”
“I need someone to prepare the vehicles. Are you willing?”
Gabe nods, restless anticipation on his face. The council disperses.
Twenty-Nine
Gabe and Kaillen both hang back. I fidget with the tiny blossoms in my hair, wondering how long they plan to wait each other out.
Their stalemate breaks when Ian calls for his son to join him. Kaillen grimaces as he turns on his heel and follows the General out of the grove.
“Hey,” Gabe says when everyone else has disappeared around the bend in the path.
“Hey.” I’m glad he’s here. The Fae were so excited they just up and left. They didn’t even say when they were going to teach me how to open my Inner Eye.
“That was pretty intense. How are you?”
“Kind of freaking out.”
“It’s been a crazy few weeks.” He rubs at the back of his neck with one hand. For the first time I notice how frayed he seems.
“Oh my gosh, Gabe, I’ve been so busy worrying about myself I haven’t thought to ask about you! You’ve been with me this whole time…” It dawns on me how indebted I am to him. “You could have forgotten all about me after I kicked you out of my car in the parking lot. If you hadn’t come to check on me that night, my mom wouldn’t be alive right now…you drove to California…”
The enormity of the abyss he’s filled hits me full force and for a split second I make myself suffer the way I would have suffered if I’d been alone. How can I ever repay him? I need him. I’m suddenly terrified of losing him.
“I couldn’t have forgotten about you even if I’d wanted to, Emily. I’ve been searching for you my whole life. It just took me until now to find you.” He takes my hand in his. “The first time I saw you I knew you would be important to me. Being around you feels good. It feels right.”
“Are you really going with us to the Doorway, Gabe? I know you told the General you would help, but this isn’t your fight. You could be killed if there’s an ambush.”
“Emily, I belong with you. I want you to come with me.”
“Come with you where? Back to Dallas?”
“No. To the First Realm.”
“I don’t understand.”
“We could make a place for ourselves there, for your mom and the kids.”
“Make a place for ourselves? I’m seventeen. My place is at home with my family.” I glance down at my bare feet in the dirt. “I’m not going to the First Realm, Gabe.” The thought gives me waking nightmares. “I don’t understand why you would want to go either.”
“Because I want more, Emily. I want to know what it’s like to See and manipulate the elements.”
“How? You aren’t an elf, Gabe. You don’t have Keen.”
“I met a man, Emily, a few years ago after my sister died. He’s the one who told me I had to ‘Look in order to See’. He sent me to keep an eye on you, he said you might be important.” His gaze probes me. “Emily, I met that man again yesterday at the diner. He told me I could become very powerful in the First Realm.”
A shock wave rattles through me. “You’re talking about Drake.”
“Yes, I’m talking about Drake. My mother knew him. He says I have ancient blood, that he can gift me power. That he’ll craft weapons for me like he did for Nissa. He asked me to join him and help him usher in a new era in the First Realm. I’m going with him, Emily. I want you to come too.”
“Why is everyone so anxious to leave everything here and go with the Fae? What do you mean Drake sent you to keep on eye on me? I don’t trust Drake, Gabe. At all. There’s something off about him.”
“He’s more than just the Fae’s Mediator Emily. He’s their Patriarch, too. We all need a strong leader, someone with vision who’s powerful enough to control his people. Drake is the most powerful Ovate the Fae have ever seen. He has a plan to rebuild the Seventh Kingdom. Once you open the Doorway we’ll march against the High King and take back what was stolen. We’ll be unstoppable once the Master controls the weapons.”
“Master? When the Master controls the weapons?”
Feverish light burns Gabe’s eyes. He moves closer until our faces are only inches apart and grips both my arms. “Ælfwig will have no choice but to relinquish the Seventh Kingdom to us, Emily, and Drake has promised me a place of honor among his counselors. Say that you’ll come with us.”
“Drake is your Master.”
Drake.
Drake is the Master.
I can only stare, my brain repeating it over and over.
“He would welcome you, Emily. He speaks very highly of your strength and potential, and the Fae admire you. Think of the possibilities! You could help us establish a new society where the traditional ways are enforced. And we wouldn’t stop with the Seventh Kingdom. Drake plans to reform the entire Realm.”
“What about our Fae, Gabe? What will happen to Ian and Quince when they return? What will happen to Kaillen?”
“Why do you care so much what happens to Kaillen? He’s an arrogant ass who thinks he’s better than everyone. Please tell me you haven’t fallen for all his chivalrous bullshit. He’s playing you.”
I step back, yanking away from his grip. “Maybe you’re the one being played!”
He takes a deep breath. His manic energy dissipates. “Don’t worry, Emily,” he placates, closing the distance between us. “Drake wants to make things right. I’m sure there will be a place for all your precious Fae in some part of the Realm. Come with us, Emily, and find out for yourself. You don’t need to give up your power. You don’t have to lose your family, and you can keep your wings.”
“I need to think about it.” I need to think about everything but his hands are on me and he kisses me, softly at first but his lips soon grow aggressive, then rough. His hands clutch me against him as he pulls back and smiles, “You don’t know how happy this makes me. I won’t lose you, Lady Alvey. I want to protect you and provide for you. Let me take care of you Emily. You won’t ever need to be afraid again.”
His lips take mine again and I don’t stop him. I don’t want him to stop. Excitement shoots through me at the wanting I taste in his kiss. It feels so good, being desired this way. The heady rush of euphoria drowns out everything else.
Responding to a hunger deep inside my gut, I trace the lean muscles of his back with my fingers. My hands travel up over the thin material of his T-shirt, across his broad shoulders and neck to tangle in the softness of his hair.
The insistent pressure of his hands leaves heat in their wake as they move over my hips and waist. My wings quiver when his fingertips brush against them.
I’m melting…
“Emily Ava Alvey! Stop this instant!”
“Aunt Margaret!” I pull my lips away and freeze, a mortified statue of embarrassment.
Gabe plucks a loose blossom from my shoulder, tucking it behind my ear, tossing a casual wry grin at Margaret. “I’ll take care of you.” He laces his hands behind the small of my back, pulling me back in against him.
I put my hands on his chest, pushing him away. “Let go, Gabe! I can take care of myself.” Is he trying to get me in trouble?
He lets go, chuckling. “You’re mine.” His lips brush the tip of my nose. “I knew you would belong to me from the moment we met. Go on. I have some things to do. We’ll have plenty of time for this in the First Realm.”
He winks back at me as he passes Margaret, then disappears into the woods.
Thirty
Margaret stares at me, zero emotion on her face. The hollow blanks of her unblinking eyes pierce me as she walks straight at me. I study the ground. Not even a speck of dust mars the blue shine on her patent-leather kitten-heel pumps.
I have vague ideas about how I’m supposed to act around boys from when we attended church as a family when I was young. I remember lessons on modesty and purity, about how a young lady should dress and talk, primary songs about how our bodies are temples. But that was a long time ago and I’m confused about the specifics. I’m seventeen. When will it be okay to kiss someone?
&n
bsp; It doesn’t matter. Obviously I shouldn’t have been kissing him. I raise my head to apologize to Margaret.
Her open-handed slap cracks my head back.
Unstoppable tears sting my eyes. Stumbling, I raise my arms in defense. Not fast enough. Another slap catches me on my ear.
“I’m sorry! I’m sorry! Please, please, I’m sorry!” I hunch over where I’ve fallen in the dirt, expecting more blows. After several moments of silence I peek out from under my arms.
“Get up. You look ridiculous. You’ve ruined your dress.”
I stand.
“Do you know why I slapped you?”
“Because I kissed Gabe.”
“That’s right. But do you understand why it was wrong of you to kiss him?”
I can’t stop humiliating snivels. I know if I don’t answer the right way I’ll anger her more. My thoughts scurry, horrified. Nothing I come up with sounds good enough.
Old spores of despair expand in my lungs, choking off my breath. “I…it’s because I shouldn’t…because kissing is bad…”
Margaret clucks. I jerk up, surprised.
“Kissing isn’t bad.”
I flounder. Is she making a joke?
“There, there, Sweetheart. Dry your eyes. You’ve always been overly dramatic, haven’t you?”
She dabs at my cheeks with a white embroidered handkerchief.
“You’re a lovely young woman, Emily, and boys will be boys. Don’t get me wrong. I like Gabe, and heaven knows you need a strong man in your life. But you’re much too young to be kissing like that. What do you think will happen next? Do you think he’ll be happy for long just kissing? It’s always the same story. One thing leads to another and before you know it you’re alone with a broken heart and that’s all…if you’re lucky.” She lifts my chin. “I just don’t want my little girl getting hurt.”
I peer into her perfect blue unblinking eyes, dazed. Seconds ago they glowed with rage.
Her pupils. They’re too big. How did I never notice before that she doesn’t blink?
Riven: Young Adult Fantasy Novel (My Myth Trilogy Book 1) Page 19