by K. G. Reuss
“So there’s not even an inkling of where to find them?” I pressed.
“There is. The Dark Forest near Xanathar and Lor’Lak. Stories say to enter Ascaria, you must survive the forest. No one ever has, so no one has ever been able to confirm it.”
I shivered at his words. “Would you try?”
“If I had to, yes. It hasn’t gotten to that point yet, thankfully.”
We both grew quiet. I took in the scenery, my heart content for the moment before I spoke again. “Where is Bornia from here?” I asked, recalling Kellin’s place of origin.
He slowed Starfall down to a stop and pointed to a massive mountain to our right.
“Bornia lies to the east of Dar’ish. It’s a day and a half ride from here at a comfortable pace,” he said, staring off into the distance.
“Do you miss it? Bornia?”
“It’s my home. Someday, our home. It’s always beautiful, like the summer court,” he murmured. “Once we’re married, I’ll bring you to my kingdom where you’ll be its queen.”
I swallowed thickly. I hadn’t given it much thought past one step at a time, but Kellin clearly had. I was still trying to absorb the idea of being a princess. Becoming a queen was a whole other story—one that made my stomach twist uncomfortably.
“W-why are you here and not there? Doesn’t your kingdom need you?” I asked, my voice shaking as I tried to overcome what he’d just said about marriage.
“Bornia lies on the coast. It’s surrounded by mountains and water mostly. So it’s safely tucked away between the two and doesn’t see much action due to its location. It is safe, for now,” he said, nudging Starfall forward. “But, to answer your question, the answer is simple, you. I’m here because of you.”
“Kellin, you don’t need to be here because of me,” I scoffed. “Your kingdom needs their prince too. It’s not fair for my kingdom to monopolize your time.”
“Well, to be fair, Bornia and Dar’ish have a very strong alliance. Our fathers have been friends for many years. Our marriage will basically unite our two kingdoms for a very long time. I think it’s one of the reasons our fathers wanted it.”
“Why didn’t they make it that way in the beginning?” I wondered. “Why would my father give me to the sons of Zaros?”
“I think that had more to do with your mother,” Kellin replied. “Her history with Zaros. Perhaps it was a way of trying to quell the anger over King Lauris marrying your mother. A bit of a peace offering. It would break tradition, though. Seelie and Unseelie being wed? The Elders didn’t like the idea of it. In fact, they fought your father on it until he convinced them of the possibility of eternal peace for our land. Seemed like a good idea at the time.” He shrugged. “Of course, after Xalvador’s death, you’re required to be passed to the next living heir. Who just happened to be Calixto.”
I didn’t say anything at the mention of Calix’s name. My heart still ached for him, a pain that wouldn’t soon leave. We rode in silence for a while, me watching the beauty of the landscape and the occasional wild animal peeking out at us. I was surprised to see things like rabbits, deer, and sparrows. I thought they didn’t exist here, but I guessed they were like the cows I thought weren’t here—something I still felt stupid over.
Kellin finally signaled for Starfall to stop and hopped down. He held his arms out for me, and I allowed him to lift me easily from the horse. She strolled away, nibbling on patches of tender green grass, seemingly at ease.
“What are we doing?” I asked as Kellin placed me on my feet.
“I thought this would be a good place to work on your wielding,” he replied.
I peered around and saw we were in a large clearing near a beautiful lake, its surface like glass.
“It’s so pretty,” I commented, gaping around at the trees which hid us from view. No one would know we were here if they passed by because the trees were so thick.
“Just like you,” Kellin said, taking my hands in his, his blue eyes fixed on mine. It was hard to believe that only months ago we were seemingly normal teenagers, me crushing hard on him, him pretending to be normal and not some prince from a different world. And now, he was my fiancé, and my boyfriend was dead.
I swallowed hard, my lip trembling.
“Hey, now,” he said softly. “None of that.” He pulled me in for a tight hug, and I lay my head against his hard chest, letting him hold me. “I know it’s hard, Ana. It won’t always be. You just have to believe that.”
“I know.” I pulled away and wiped at my eyes. “I-I’m trying.”
He looked at me sympathetically, and I forced out a smile at him.
“We should practice. If Tarek found out I came out here and simply enjoyed the scenery, he’d be spitting nails.”
“I’m not worried about anything Tarek has to say,” Kellin grumbled.
“What’s with you two anyway?” I asked, pushing all my sad thoughts away. I felt better when I was distracted.
“What do you mean?”
“You’re both pretty hostile with one another,” I answered, gauging him for a reaction.
“We’ve never gotten along,” Kellin replied, staring out to the lake. “He’s a good fighter. There’s just something about him that’s off. In the years I’ve known Tarek, I’ve never been able to figure it out. It’s just something I feel. Something isn’t right with him.”
“Like how?” I pressed.
“He’s shifty. I can’t explain it. Call it intuition.” Kellin turned to me, his lips set in a hard line. “Plus, I’ve seen the way he looks at you. I don’t like it.”
“Looks at me?” I asked, surprised. “If Tarek is looking at me, it’s only to figure out how best to humiliate me out on the grounds.”
“No, Ana. I saw it in his eyes today. I saw it in the gardens last night. Tarek wants you.”
“You’re being ridiculous,” I scoffed. “He hates me. I don’t even need to ask him to know it. He’s been a jerk since the day we met.”
“I just don’t like it. I don’t like that he’s training you. Maybe I’m just being overprotective of you. But you’re mine, Ana. I want to keep it that way if I can help it.”
“Kellin—” I started, but he shushed me quickly by taking my hand again.
“Let me have that thought, OK? I know you’re not ready, but you will be someday. I’m just going to wait for that day.”
I withdrew the statement I was about to say, agreeing that perhaps, maybe someday, I’d be ready.
“What’s the name of this lake?” I asked, changing the subject.
“Summit Lake,” he murmured, leading me to the edge of it.
It was beautiful and expanded as far as my eyes could see, which was quite far. Since becoming the Oracle, I found that my eyesight was more pronounced, as well as my hearing. “Why is my eyesight so good?”
He chuckled softly. “You’ve always been that way, well, maybe not that way. But you’re a Fae and with that comes certain enhanced attributes. I daresay you’ve always had incredible hearing and vision, but now that you’re the Oracle, things you’ve had before are better. Tell me, Ana, where is the end of the lake?”
“Um.” I looked back out over the glassy surface and could only see endless waters. “I don’t know. All I see is water.”
“No.” He shook his head then came and stood behind me, his fingers touching my face as he directed it toward the lake. “Focus, Ana. You have it in you to see the end. You just need to look for it.”
“I don’t understand,” I said, narrowing my eyes and staring out at what seemed like a giant lake without an end. “I only see water.”
“No, you only see what your brain tells you that you can see. Expand past it.”
I narrowed my eyes again and strained my sight to see where the lake ended but saw nothing. I let out a frustrated sigh.
“I can’t. I’m the worst Fae ever. The worst Oracle ever.”
“Ana,” Kellin’s soft voice tickled my ear.
I cl
osed my eyes as the goosebumps erupted along my skin.
“Close your eyes.”
I did as he instructed, nothing but his heat and the warm breeze surrounding me.
“The lake only seems endless because your mind is still in Earth Realm. You aren’t that girl anymore. You are the Oracle, a Fae. A mighty, warrior princess.”
My lips quirked up in a tiny smile at the mention of me being a warrior princess. I could only imagine myself out on the battlefield in one of the ridiculously expensive satin and velvet dresses, swinging my sword like a klutz at my enemies.
“Keep your mind clear,” Kellin murmured in my ear, creating more goosebumps. “Focus on the lake. On the horizon. On the earth, the sky, the wind, your heart, your desire. You are the Oracle. There’s nothing you cannot see. Whatever you wish to know, it lies in that desire to know it. Now, do you want to see where that lake ends, Ana?”
“Yes,” I whispered, focusing everything I had on it.
“Then open your eyes.”
I opened my eyes, and it was like seeing for the first time. If I thought Winterset was brilliant before, it was nothing compared to how it looked now. The colors were more vibrant, clearer, even the gentle breeze had a life as it floated around us. And the lake.
It ended at the foot of the mountains many, many miles away.
Chapter 29
“Wow,” I breathed out, staring out to the lake’s end. I could see a small fox lapping at the water, and a furrel bouncing around in the flowers behind it. “I-I can even see the blades of grass moving in the wind. A-and the mountains, each stone which lies on their surface.”
“Tell me what it looks like,” he whispered in my ear, wrapping his arms around my waist and resting his head against mine.
“There’s a small fox drinking water on the edge of the lake and a furrel playing in the flowers at the base of the mountain. There are birds—hundreds of them—singing from the trees. They’re so beautiful. I’ve never seen birds that color before. Purple, green, blue, yellow.” I breathed out in awe. “A-and there’s a, um, goat I think. I’m not sure. I’ve never seen one of these creatures before. He’s black and white, a-and has feathers, but has antlers like a deer and a long tail like a cat.”
“A ret,” Kellin said softly, his warm breath on my cheek. “They are much like a mountain goat, as you said, with one exception.”
I was about to ask what that exception was when the ret spread a set of wings and launched itself into the air. It flew over the fox and landed gently on the other side of it, lapping water.
“It flies!” I shouted gleefully. “Wow. That’s incredible. I’ve never seen anything like it before.” I turned to him excitedly and wrapped my arms around his neck. “Thank you, Kellin.”
He didn’t say anything as he returned my hug, holding me flush against him. I could hear the rhythmic thud of his heart beating in his chest, and without him saying it, I knew he was just as excited as I was.
“Did you see it? Did you see the ret fly over the fox?” I asked, peering up at him through my long lashes.
He stared down at me fondly, a tiny smile tugging the corners of his lips up.
“No,” he replied, his pretty, blue eyes staring into mine.
“What? Weren’t you looking?” I frowned at him.
“I can’t see that far,” he mused.
“Wait. What?” I asked, my eyes searching his. “You just said I was able to see that far because of who I am—”
“And was I wrong?”
“No, but why can’t you do it? We’re both Fae.”
“True,” he murmured. “But I am no Oracle and you are. You can see that far because Sight is part of who you are. I merely hold a big sword and whip around some wind.”
“So, you didn’t know I’d be able to do that? You guessed?” I asked incredulously, still gawking up at him.
“Good guess, huh?” He grinned down at me, his eyes dancing with humor. He lifted my hand to his mouth and pressed his warm lips against it, staring hungrily down at me. “You’ll find, Ana, that I’m going to be right about a lot of things.”
“Really?” I asked, looking up into his bright eyes.
“Really.” He nodded, taking my hand to his mouth again and kissing it, his eyes never leaving mine.
I watched as his lips made contact with my skin. I drew in a shaky breath at the warmth, my heart kicking frantically in my chest. He withdrew his lips and tenderly touched my cheek before leaning slowly toward me. I froze, unsure of what to do, my mind a flurry of activity, wanting, fighting with my heart about how I felt.
I closed my eyes as Kellin’s lips gently captured my own, warm and tender. He kissed me softly, without force, but I could feel the passion, the desperation behind it. He was trying to go slow for me. My mind warred with my heart as his lips moved against my still ones. I finally let my mind win, too tired to fight with my heart, and kissed him back tentatively, unsure of my feelings, but knowing what I felt wasn’t terrible. I’d kissed Kellin before, and it had been wonderful, but I couldn’t—
“I-I can’t,” I pulled away from him, my heart aching for someone I could never have again. “I’m sorry.” I shifted to move away from him, but he held me tightly and wiped at the tears falling from my eyes.
“It’s OK,” he murmured. “It’s OK.” He rocked me in his arms while I cried, ashamed at the feelings I was having for him. I shouldn’t feel anything for him, and yet, I did. I always had. But then Calix came into my life, and those feelings took a backseat to what I felt for him. My feelings for Kellin had always been there, though. He was my best friend. He was all I had left. If I hurt him, I’d be left alone. I didn’t want to be alone. And I didn’t want to see any harm come to him. I cared deeply for the man who held me. I wanted to protect him from everything—Zaros, wars, heartache, me. I would only lead him to those things, and yet, I wanted to feel again. To feel with someone. It was selfish of me, and I hated myself for it.
I pulled away from him and walked to the edge of the lake. I could feel the weight of his stare on me. I lifted my dress up to my knees and slipped out of my shoes so I could wade into the lake. The cool water washed away my anxiety. I stood there for a long time, trying to clear my mind.
When I finally felt better, I turned to find Kellin sitting on the banks, smiling at me as if nothing I’d done had hurt him. He was a resilient man, always bouncing back from heartache. Heartache I didn’t want him to feel. We were both hurting, both wanting someone who wasn’t there anymore.
But I am still here, I thought glumly to myself. I could be if I’d just let Calix go.
I walked back to him, smiling awkwardly.
“Sorry.”
“As am I.” He climbed to his feet, towering over me as I stopped in front of him. “But I think I can make it up to you if you’ll let me.”
“You don’t need to make it up to me,” I scoffed. “It’s not like I didn’t want it.”
“You wanted to kiss me?” he asked, clearly surprised at my admission.
“Um, yes.” I nibbled nervously on my bottom lip. “I-I just feel guilty because of—"
“Shh.” He touched my lips gently with his fingers. “No. No guilt, Ana. Come. Let me show you something.”
I followed him wordlessly to the edge of the forest, and he turned to grin at me.
“Where are we going?” I asked, his excitement contagious.
He stopped us behind a tree and peered around it cautiously.
“Look,” he whispered.
I peeped around him and nearly squealed.
“Be very still. Don’t let them see you.”
“Oh my God. What are they?” I gasped, staring at the small, brown, furry creatures in front of us. They were quite small—the young able to fit in the palm of my hand easily and the adult the size of a Pomeranian. They had large, brown eyes and tiny, little, black noses with the cutest four paws. If I had to compare them to an Earth Realm creature, I’d compare them to a bear—only way small
er.
I couldn’t contain myself. I stepped from behind the tree despite Kellin’s warning to remain hidden and approached them slowly. The mother looked at me curiously. I thought she’d flee, but instead she stepped toward me carefully, her small nose twitching as she sniffed the air. Feeling safe, she continued moving forward until her warm, wet nose touched my outstretched hand. I breathed out excitedly as she licked it, her pink tongue warm on my skin. I dared to pet her and was surprised when she let me. I rubbed her soft fur, and she stared up at me, happily dazed.
Testing my luck, I reached forward and lifted her into my arms. She didn’t struggle. Instead, she licked at my face. I looked over at Kellin, my eyes bright and excited. He stared back at me, a stunned expression on his handsome face, his mouth hanging open and his hand on the hilt of his sword.
“I love her,” I breathed out, scratching her head. I set her back on the ground gently and followed her back to her babies. I sank to my knees and was overjoyed when they ran to me and tackled me with their tiny, warm, furry bodies. I giggled as I fell onto my back, the small creatures licking excitedly at me. There had to be at least ten of them, their tiny nubby tails wagging with glee.
“K-Kellin.” I giggled. “Come here.”
He stepped out cautiously from behind the tree. The mother peered up at him, her tongue out like a happy dog, and watched as he approached us. He stood awkwardly over me, his eyes lingering on the mother.
“Lie down.” I laughed as one of the creatures gave a grunt and tugged on my hair.
Kellin lay down beside me and was bombarded by the small creatures. His body froze, but I could feel the tension ebb away as they licked and pawed at him. The mother climbed onto his torso and stared down at him from his chest. He stopped moving, gazing back at her. I wondered why he was so nervous around them. They were just balls of happy fluff.
Man and beast had an epic stare down before the mother licked his nose. He visibly relaxed again, and before long, our laughter echoed throughout the forest.