24A/N: This is for everyone who has been patiently waiting for an update. Thank you so much for your lovely comments and your silent support ❤❤❤
This chapter also serves as a small recap, so you don't have to read the first few chapters again (of course you can still do that if you want).
Featuring: Rhys and Azriel being secretive, Mor and Stella bonding over swear words, self-defense instructor Cassian, more silent staring, and Amren being... Amren. Enjoy!
Chapter 5
Even though I'd agreed to stay at the Night Court for now, there were still some things I wanted clarified. Even if I won't return home right away, do you know how to open the portal between our worlds? I asked Rhysand in my mind, needing to know at least that much while I was stuck here in this strange new world.
The High Lord's face fell. I'll be honest with you, Stella. I don't know how to open a portal to your world because I have never seen anything like what I've seen in your memories.
My heart sank at Rhysand's straightforward words, but I appreciated that he didn't make any promises that he couldn't keep. Since it seemed like he hadn't lied to me so far, I was inclined to believe him.
Rhysand continued, But if there is someone who can figure it out, then it is Amren. She and Azriel volunteered to investigate the place where you first woke up in Prythian. Once your injuries are healed, I can take you there if you want, so you can take a look at the place yourself.
Gratefulness welled up in my chest. "Thank you," I said to Rhysand, translating it in my mind. Then I said it to the spymaster, who seemed to understand the meaning of my words by the emotion in my voice, and to Amren, who immediately said something to the High Lord.
Amren would like to hear more of the language you just spoke and see whether she can recognize it if you don't mind, Rhysand translated. She knows many languages, even those that have been forgotten by most.
Hmm... I don't mind. It was definitely worth a try. It'd make things a little easier if a second person was able to understand me without having to read my thoughts. I had nothing to lose.
"Can you understand me? I'm speaking English," I asked Amren in said language, but she just furrowed her brow.
I decided to ask her the same question in Italian and when that didn't seem to ring a bell, I repeated the question in Russian and even stilted Mandarin as well, just to be sure. While she seemed to recognize that I'd spoken in different languages, she didn't understand any of them, which was disappointing but not unexpected.
Amren appeared to be fascinated by the foreign languages and said something else to Rhysand. Cassian attempted to repeat one of the sentences but failed spectacularly, almost biting off his tongue as he mixed up Mandarin and Russian. Morrigan snorted in amusement at his attempt and commented on it, which resulted in more banter between her and him and one dry comment from Azriel.
Rhysand smirked as Cassian was being roasted. Please just ignore Cassian's non-existent language skills, Stella. Amren and I counted four different languages if we are right. Do all the people from your world know that many languages?
You are right, there were four. Concerning your second question, it's not that uncommon where I'm from. It often depends on someone's personal circumstances, school curriculum, and their personal motivation how many languages they know, I answered him. I grew up speaking English and Italian as my native languages and learned the other two at school.
So you were able to afford a good education? Do both boys and girls visit this... school? Rhysand asked with interest.
Yes, in most countries all girls and boys have to go to school together from the age of seven to eighteen. A school is an educational institution that teaches its students not only how to read, write and speak different languages, but also subjects such as history, science, politics and maths. After finishing school, you can even continue your education by attending university, which is what I did, I explained coolly, trying not to think about the pressure my parents, especially my mother, had put one me to get good grades.
An image from the past flashed in front of my mind's eye – me standing in front of her while she looked down at my graded paper with contempt and disinterest. Even when I received perfectly good grades, nothing I did was ever good enough for her.
Her words still rang in my ear, 'Your older brother would have done better.'
I banished the memory from my mind.
When Rhysand translated my response, I received curious and thoughtful looks as the group discussed something. I wondered what exactly he'd told them. Hopefully, he didn't mention those glimpses into my past if he'd seen them...
I didn't – they are contemplating this highly intriguing school system you just described – but I did see your memories. However, since they are not mine to share, I won't tell my Inner Circle about them, Rhysand assured me. If you'd like, I could teach you how to shield your mind from daemati like myself.
There are other mind-readers like you?, I asked apprehensively.
Yes, there are. And some of them would use their power to take your mind and your memories for themselves or shatter it. Erase your very self, he said as his mental claws dug in for emphasis.
For a second I couldn't move, my body wasn't mine to control, before the claws were gone and I was the master of my own body and mind again. I shivered in fear at the knowledge that Rhysand could destroy my mind with just a thought and that others might be able to do the same. My eyes darted from one Fae to the next, wondering whether they were also capable of mind-controlling others.
No, they don't have the same gifts as I, although Amren's are very similar. This information felt like a small piece offering after the frightening demonstration just now.
Please teach me how to protect my mind, I accepted Rhysand's thoughtful suggestion, wanting to ensure my safety. On that note, I think it might be for the best if I also learned to speak your language.
That way I would not be dependent on him – he probably had other things to do than be my personal translator anyway – and could understand and interact with the other Fae of his court if necessary as well as keep my thoughts to myself.
After all, there was no certain date for my return home. It depended on how fast I healed, how quickly I was able to control my magic, and the results of Amren and Azriel's investigation. So it was wise to hope for the best but prepare for the worst.
The mere thought of having no guaranteed way home unsettled me. At the same time anger flared up inside me. Anger at my situation and that stupid stone, and at myself for touching it.
I didn't ask to be transported to this world, I just wanted to have a peaceful holiday, a small adventure. My holiday should have been the start of a new chapter in my life, but not like this. I clenched my fists in the folds of the dress, burying my frustration.
I was about to suggest the same, Rhysand agreed easily before Amren said something to him in an impatient tone. Amren would like to have some written samples of the languages you spoke for reference and future studies. I believe you have tickled her curiosity.
If that was what she wanted... Alright, I don't mind. It was the least I could do for her.
As soon as I'd thought my response, a few pieces of paper and a pen appeared on the desk in front of me, which startled me. Not enough to get up from the chair, but enough to make my wings flare out a little. Thankfully, I didn't touch Azriel's wings this time though I came close.
Magic and things appearing out of nowhere would definitely take some time to get used to. Cassian seemed to get some enjoyment out of my reaction because he chuckled and commented on it.
How rude. I wondered how he would react if he was thrown into my world and confronted by modern technology. Army Commander or not, I bet he would be jumpy too if a phone suddenly rang or if someone used the microwave. I could just imagine it.
Rhysand said something to Cassian, which sounded like he was teasing him. It earned me an amused smile from Morrigan and look of approval from Azriel as they exchanged a few words.
I've just relayed your opinion to Cassian, Rhysand informed me, which caused me to tense. Don't worry, he isn't offended. He gets reprimanded by Mor and Azriel all the time.
Okay, then I'd take the High Lord by his word... He and his Inner Circle, as he called them, were a lot more laid-back and friendly than I'd expected. They truly acted more like friends that had known each other for a long time and less like faeries from a court. Perhaps humans and fae were not so different after all, if you ignored the supernatural aspects. The thought relieved some of my tension.
Maybe the stories about faeries I knew weren't as accurate as I thought. Although it was safest to err on the side of caution, maybe I should be less prejudiced and make my own observations and draw my own conclusions from them.
"Stella," Amren said and impatiently pointed at the paper.
Right, the sample. First, I wrote down the Latin alphabet in neat uppercase and lowercase letters. Then, I started with the English sample sentence I'd just said and added the Italian version underneath, writing the name of the language beneath the sentences. As soon as I'd said the names out loud as I pointed at the respective sentences, Amren nearly ripped the sheets out of my hands.
I blinked, taken aback by her eagerness. I explained what I'd written to Rhysand and he relayed the information to Amren who was already studying the letters though the others also curiously eyed the unknown script.
While they were occupied, I wrote down the Cyrillic alphabet and a Russian sample sentence and then moved on to Mandarin, where I just wrote down the sample sentence in Chinese characters and added the pinyin version underneath. Then, I was asked numerous question about the languages and the runes on the stone circle by Amren that I answered to the best of my abilities. She also wanted to know whether there had been something special about the day or time I crossed worlds, what details I'd noticed.
So I described what happened and what it felt like to fall through the fabric between worlds.
Amren would like to know whether there is a reason why you were there on Nos Galan Gaeaf, the 31st of October, of all times, Rhysand translated Amren's next question. She says that the fabric between realms gets thinner on Nos Galan Gaeaf, the day before Calan Gaeaf, the first day of autumn, which might be the reason why you were able to cross into Prythian.
I visited the stone circle on Halloween, but I didn't know that the fabric between worlds became thinner on that date.
I'm not sure, I just felt drawn to the stone circle, wanted to see it on that day. Originally, my... younger brother wanted to visit it. He had an interest in those kinds of things, runes, folklore, you name it, I answered quietly.
If I wasn't speaking inside my mind, I'd probably be unable to even say this much. Speaking about him still hurt. His absence had left a hole in my heart.
Your brother didn't come with you? Rhysand asked.
I shook my head, my chest burning with grief, longing and a fair portion of guilt as I reached for my necklace for comfort. No... I wanted to do the trip he planned in his stead.
Even though it appeared that they genuinely wanted to help me, I didn't want to share that my brother had died almost three years ago in a car accident since I hardly knew them.
I... I overheard that, but I'm keeping it between the two of us, as you want. I'm sorry for your loss, Rhysand said sympathetically, his expression one of regret. Losing a sibling, especially a younger one is...
Neither of us found the words to end his sentence, just sharing looks of silent understanding. From the sounds of it, the High Lord might have lost a sibling too, although he didn't elaborate.
I'm sorry for your loss, too, I said, trying to keep a straight face, but didn't ask for more information either.
Thankfully, Morrigan spoke up, perhaps sensing that the mood had dampened, and wanted to know about my entire journey after arriving in Prythian. Relieved at the change of subject, but a little apprehensive at the same time because my journey was far from pleasant, I recounted how I was attacked and almost eaten by those horrible creatures and somehow used my powers for the first time, after which I looked like this.
I didn't mention my emotional stress because of what happened. The whole experience still felt like a nightmare.
For some reason, Azriel drew his shadows around himself and grew still when Rhysand mentioned my first near-death experience.
Maybe it was just my imagination, but for a second it felt as if a wave of guilt mixed with anger and a feeling of inadequacy that I knew all too well was sent to me from the side, which made me glance at Azriel in confusion. Once again his hazel eyes were on me, studying me and my injuries intently.
What the hell was that? I was sure that whatever I'd felt just now had come from him, although I couldn't say why. How did the spymaster do that and why would he have these feelings if it truly were his emotions I felt? Was it another special ability of his, like the ability to control shadows?
As I turned to Rhysand for clarification, he exchanged a quick look with Azriel before he answered me.
Yes, you could say that. He doesn't project his emotions intentionally, was Rhysand's somewhat vague answer.
Okay, so Azriel wasn't showing me his emotions on purpose? It seemed strange to me that someone who had such an ability that they couldn't control would work as a Fae lord's spymaster. Wasn't that very unpractical?
Rhysand's lips twitched, as if he was trying to hold back a smile while the spymaster in question dipped his head a bit forward, as if he was trying to hide his face with his black hair.
Had Rhysand relayed my opinion? Was the Fae warrior embarrassed?
Despite this ability, Azriel does his work very well thanks to his shadowsinging abilities. A Shadowsinger can communicate with and control shadows, Rhysand informed me.
I see. That explained the shadows, but still not the projection of emotions. However, the High Lord didn't elaborate. Hmm... I had the feeling there was more to it.
For now, I continued my story.
Most of the others' expressions were grim as they listened to Rhysand translating my tale, though Amren seemed more interested in my written text samples. Cassian gave me an almost assessing look when Rhysand relayed how I continued my search for civilization for three days, trekking across the snowy landscape with barely any food and being hunted by the monsters every night.
I finished my story with my encounter with the less-than-friendly Illyrians, tensing at the memory. Remembering their faces, their intentions, their touches, their cries of pain and the stink of their burning flesh made my stomach churn in disgust. I was torn whether to feel guilty for what I'd done or justified in my actions. I still was leaning more towards the latter, though, if I was being honest. If they hadn't attacked me, they wouldn't have burned to death.
For the second time, I was able to sense what I assumed to be Azriel's emotions. An ice-cold rage so intense that it would be enough to freeze over the Australian deserts flowed across to me.
I cautiously gazed at the motionless spymaster who was staring at the opposite wall this time while remaining unnaturally still. Not even his shadows moved. I should probably feel afraid of his anger, even if it was so different from my father's fiery outbursts.
However, it didn't feel like his fury was directed at me.
As my gaze wandered, I noticed that Rhysand's face was also twisted in anger. Cassian and even Mor growled things that sounded like insults.
Stella, those Illyrians gleefully bowed to my enemy, tried to expand their borders and harmed other Night Court citizens when I was unable to stop them. You were not the first female they attacked or wanted to take back to their camp. Trust me when I say they got what they deserved. I'm glad that you protected yourself, Rhysand told me seriously.
I accepted his judgment, but only time would tell what effect this incident would have on my psyche.
You have done an admirable job surviving in the Illyrian mountains, he added.
I disagreed. I did little else but continue trudging through the snow. I had no survival skills, couldn't properly defend myself against those hostile Illyrian warriors. I didn't protect myself – it was the magic in my blood that ultimately saved my life. If I'd been dropped into Prythian as my normal self, I would have been devoured that first night.
Your gifts are a part of you, Stella. Whether you did it consciously or subconsciously – you protected yourself. If it weren't for your will to survive and your tenacity, your magic wouldn't have responded and we would never have found you, Rhysand insisted.
As I felt heat rising in my cheeks, I shifted awkwardly in my seat, still not thinking I'd done anything particularly praiseworthy.
"Stella," Cassian suddenly said my name, drawing my attention as he added another sentence.
Cassian just offered to give you survival training and teach you how to fight, if you'd like, Rhysand translated. It is your choice, of course.
I was taken aback by this unexpected proposal. Did the Commander of Rhysand's armies not have more important things to do?
Cassian's expression was serious but sincere – he truly wanted to train me. What was his motivation?
Cassian can freely decide how he wants to spend his free time, the High Lord said. And it is important to him to teach someone how to defend themselves.
Well... I tilted my head as I considered the offer. Since I was going to be stuck in Prythian for an uncertain amount of time, learning how to fight might not be such a bad idea. Who knew what other dangers I might face in this world. I couldn't count on someone else to save my ass every time I was in trouble, nor did I want to.
The more I thought about Cassian's offer, the more I appreciated it.
I met Rhysand's gaze. Can you tell him that I would like to train with him if... if my stay here in Prythian is longer than expected? I had to prepare for the worst-case scenario.
Of course, he assured me.
I also turned to the Fae warrior in question. "Thank you, Cassian," I thanked him with a nod and determined look, that he returned with a pleased smile.
Rhysand then announced that it was time for lunch and food suddenly appeared on the table. When I startled again, it brought another teasing grin to Cassian's face. Goddammit.
I waited until the others had started to eat before I did the same, observing their table manners and the way they used their cutlery. I needn't have worried, though. Cassian and Morrigan didn't seem to care much for etiquette at all, shoveling food into their mouths with a vigor that stunned me, and Amren just shoved food around on her plate. Rhysand and Azriel were the only ones displaying some table manners.
I picked up a spoon and started eating the pureed vegetable soup that had appeared in front of me. The soup once again tasted incredibly delicious, and I was glad to have something more to eat than just plain broth, no matter how good. Until my stomach had gotten used to food again, I could just appreciate the smell of the other dishes. The food on the table was familiar to me – it consisted of fish, rice and bread though I didn't know what kind of sauce was used.
Once again the conversation flowed freely between the five Fae, even as Cassian promptly took Amren's plate and dumped half of the food on his plate before passing it to Azriel. The spymaster criticized the other Illyrian, but Amren didn't seem to care that her food had been stolen.
Was she not hungry?
Amren... doesn't eat normal food, Rhysand hesitantly answered my question, which immediately roused my suspicion.
Amren clearly wasn't a normal Fae, if there even was such a thing. The question 'What does she eat then?' burned on my tongue. I doubted that she lived on sunshine and flowers, she felt more like a predator. On second thought, as long as Amren didn't eat people, I really didn't need to know what her diet consisted of. I already had enough on my plate right now.
She doesn't eat people, Rhysand assured me.
I could live with that answer for now. Still, I wanted to know more about Rhysand's Inner Circle, so I asked how they all met. Morrigan and Rhysand's families were related so that's how they knew each other, but the three men – males, as Fae men were called – apparently met at an Illyrian war camp and hated each other's guts at first. Just like they were all hated by the other Illyrians because they were bastards in their eyes. Rhysand was seen as a bastard because he was only half-Illyrian, and Cassian because his mother didn't marry whoever got her pregnant, and Azriel... well, he was the illegitimate son of an Illyrian lord.
I frowned when Rhysand translated the story, horrified that children were treated like that simply because they were born out of wedlock or half something else, and because they were forced to train for combat at such a young age. Nothing could justify the abuse of children, as I had to learn myself. I went no contact with my parents far too late.
The concept of bastards was also so old-fashioned and useless. The more I thought about it, the more upset I became. A child shouldn't be blamed for the circumstances under which it was born. After all, it had no choice in the matter.
So there are no more bastards in your world? Rhysand translated Cassian's question for me after stating my opinion.
Not in the countries where I lived, at least. In the time when my grandparents were young it might have been a thing, but people from my generation no longer care about such ridiculous concepts and would never call an illegitimate child a 'bastard' or think that such a child is worth less than a child born to married parents. We only use the term 'bastard' as an insult for people that are utter assholes – like the low-lives that would mistreat a child, for example, I explained coldly, balling my fists in my lap.
Alice, one of my best friends, was expecting a baby boy with her boyfriend Nathan in December. My godson. If anyone ever dared to treat him as if he was less because his parents weren't married, then...
God have mercy on them, because I sure as hell wouldn't.
As Rhysand translated my response, that made Morrigan seemingly agree with me, if her nodding and fierce comment was anything to go by, a small blue flame flickered across my right fist. I swiftly covered it with my left hand, trying to stifle it. Luckily it vanished as quickly as it had appeared.
Oops, I might have gotten a little too worked up.
Since Azriel was sitting right next to me and cataloging my every reaction, my slip-up didn't escape his notice. I gave him a sheepish look. There was a question in his eyes, but he remained silent.
My dear cousin thinks that your people are very sensible and that some of the... arrogant pricks she has to deal with could learn a thing or two from them. She also volunteered to teach you swear words so you can 'tell those assholes to shove it if you ever have the displeasure of meeting one of them', Rhysand translated Morrigan's comment with a mischievous smile. While I understand her sentiments, I think we should stick to more useful vocabulary for the start.
Then, Cassian added something else with twinkling eyes that made Morrigan scoff. He believes that he can teach you better insults than Mor. I suspect they might make it a competition, Rhysand told me.
Ohh? I was definitely going to take them up on that offer then. You know, back home Italians and Australians are famous for being creative swearers. Since I call both of these beautiful cultures my own, I think it's only right that I share them with you. Morrigan could insult certain arrogant pricks right to their face without them even knowing.
The High Lord smirked as he translated for me. I like how you think.
Morrigan seemed to like it, too if her and Cassian's gleeful grins were any indication. I grinned and winked conspiratorially back at them, which made them smile even wider.
Azriel sighed but a flash of pleasant surprise mixed with fondness hit me from his direction before it was gone again. Huh. Was he just pretending to be annoyed by his friends' shenanigans when he actually enjoyed them?
It was at that point that Amren instructed Rhysand to write down at least one of the languages I spoke when he was teaching me theirs, so anyone – primarily her – who wanted to learn my language could do so with the notes. The High Lord promised to take notes and thought this was a good idea as he and Azriel were interested in learning English themselves. I had no objections to this plan as it meant I'd be able to communicate better with them.
We had gotten slightly off topic, but Rhysand then recounted how he'd met and befriended Amren and later asked her to be his Second-in-command. He also shared another interesting fact with me – Amren wasn't from this world either.
My eyes immediately flicked to the intimidating woman, Really? Maybe that was why she wanted to search for the portal? Was she also looking for a way home?
Is she from the same world as I? I asked though I doubted that she was.
No, we don't think so. She arrived in this world a long time ago, through a rip in the fabric between worlds, when this world was still young.
I almost didn't want to ask the question, but I couldn't help myself. How long ago was that?
The High Lord furrowed a brow. We are not sure, but she believes it was around fifteen millennia ago.
I was floored. Considering that I was among Fae, I'd expected a few decades, but fifteen millennia? That was insane. Amren and the others all looked like they were in their twenties, around my age. Thinking about it... Were they really as old as they appeared, or were they also a lot older?
I gazed hesitantly at Rhysand.
He gently answered me, I am 535 years old and my cousin is a year older than me. Cassian is 537 years old and Azriel just turned 538 at the beginning of the year.
Holy shit! I needed a moment to wrap my mind around the fact that everyone around me was more than five centuries old. Five hundred years ago my ancestors still lived in the Middle Ages... Rhysand and the others were old enough to have met Christopher Columbus and Amren was older than Göbekli Tepe that was dated back to around 9000 BC and one of the oldest human-made structures back home. That was mind-boggling.
While I was still absorbed in my thoughts, Azriel quietly asked me a question.
He would like to know how old you are, Rhysand translated.
That was fair since I asked for their age, too. I turned twenty-seven in summer.
Apparently, this surprised everyone apart from Amren, who was studying the text samples again.
Mor thought you were around nineteen years old, Rhysand translated his cousin's comment. I guessed twenty.
Huh. Everyone in my family looked younger than they actually were, so it wasn't the first time someone had misjudged my age.
A short while later, Amren and Azriel decided to leave and use the remaining hours of daylight to search for the place where the portal to my world was located. Cassian and Morrigan also said their goodbyes for now, since they had a few other things to take care of.
I watched Azriel leap from the balcony up into sky and beat his powerful wings to get away from the House of Wind. Rhysand had explained that it was warded against teleporting, or as he called it winnowing inside. To my amazement, Amren levitated through the air with just her magic. Was there anything you couldn't do with magic?
When she caught up to Azriel, she touched one of his arms, and they vanished right before my eyes, the spymaster giving me and then Morrigan one last look. Cassian took Morrigan into his arms, who waved at me with a smile, as the Illyrian flew down into the city with her.
Rhysand had some very interesting friends, to say the least. They were very different from what I imagined faeries to be, but in a good way. My time here in Velaris would certainly not be boring.
The High Lord chuckled warmly in response to my thoughts.
When we went back inside, Rhysand asked me if I wanted to relax for the rest of the day or start language lessons right away, and I opted for the latter. I preferred to keep my mind occupied rather than have too much time to brood.
We would only have language lessons and lessons on how to block a daemati from my mind today, though. First, we covered basic words, phrases and grammar in Rhysand's language and then in English, taking notes along the way. This also included the local and Latin alphabet. Luckily, the local language had just a few letters more in its alphabet than the Latin alphabet. Since you combined the letters to form words, it wasn't as learning intensive as Mandarin, for instance, which had thousands of different characters you had to memorize.
Rhysand called for a break when he noticed that I was in pain from my healing injuries and sore muscles. Seemingly out of nowhere the twin Fae that I'd seen before appeared – he must have called them somehow – and helped me apply some ointment on my leg, wing and back inside the room I'd woken up in, introducing themselves to me. It soothed the pain in no time, making me sigh with relief. I thanked Nuala and Cerridwen and tried to remember who was who.
Afterwards, I returned to the living room and Rhysand instructed me how to erect mental shields and defend my mind, which was a rather terrifying and mentally tiring exercise. Several times I slipped up and subconsciously lowered my wall of shining sapphire, allowing Rhysand's claws to enter my mind.
Keep practicing lowering and raising and thickening your mental shield, and it will soon become second nature to you. You're doing well, he encouraged me.
I was so focused on our lesson that I didn't even notice night had fallen had until Rhysand announced that it was time for dinner. This time I ate some soft bread with chicken soup.
One of Rhysand's questions during dinner was what kind of clothes I liked to wear, so that Nuala and Cerridwen could purchase them for me. I was very reluctant to ask for anything since the High Lord had already given me so much without asking for anything in return.
Just consider everything a reward for killing those rogue Illyrian warriors.
I grimaced at the reminder, but thinking about it that way did make me feel less indebted to him.
Or consider it payment for telling me more about this highly intriguing school system that I might want to introduce in my city so that every child in Velaris has the opportunity to learn to write, read and do calculations, he added thoughtfully, while his gaze was fixed on something in the distance that I couldn't see.
That sounded even better. There were many reasons why school, a good education, was important and I was impressed that Rhysand had immediately recognized the benefits and had already considered implementing such an education system. Even though my own school days were filled with pressure to get good grades, I wouldn't have met my two best friends Hannah and Alice, my chosen family, if I hadn't gone to school.
Rhysand and I discussed the Australian school system for a while longer, before he called it a day and I returned to the room that would be mine for an uncertain amount of time to get ready for bed.
Although I was exhausted, I couldn't stop thinking about my situation. There was too much to consider, there were too many things on my mind. I also couldn't find a comfortable sleeping position because of the wings and the splint on my leg.
I contemplated whether my necklace had really been enchanted and whether I was a dragon, as Rhysand had claimed. How could that be the case if my grandmother had made it for me when I was a baby? She was definitely not a dragon. He had to be wrong, the magic in that rune stone must have done that to me when I entered this world.
I also wondered, or rather worried, whether Azriel and Amren had already found the portal. What if they didn't find it? Or if they did find it, what if it was closed and couldn't be opened from this side? When I woke up in Prythian, I didn't see any portals, or a stone circle with runes.
What if I couldn't return home? What if I never managed to control my magic and would always look like this?
Another question I didn't dare to ask earlier but that weighed heavily on my mind concerned my lifespan. Now that I was a Fae, and Fae hardly seemed to age in five hundred years, would I also stay the same forever while my friends and family aged and grew old?
Even if I managed to control my magic, take on my normal appearance and return home, would I have to watch them all die in a few decades while I stayed young? That thought frightened me more than anything and kept me awake for most of the night.
Thank you for reading😊
The foundation for the next chapters has been laid! I hope you liked the chapter and I'll see you in the next one ❤ Take care!
FYI: Since Calanmai seems to be based on a traditional Welsh celebration (though it is the first day of summer there, not spring), I used more traditional Welsh dates in my own story - Nos Galan Gaeaf, the 31st October, Halloween, and Calan Gaeaf, the first day of winter (though in my story it is the first day of autumn).