She flinches almost imperceptibly at my question. “Here’s the thing… I can’t.”
My stomach feels like it’s full of lead. “You… can’t? So that’s it then? I’m powerless for the rest of my life?” I’m frantic at the thought. Especially with Bastian’s worry that I will always be in danger and at a disadvantage. I feel like I can’t breathe.
Fleur shakes her head quickly. “No, not at all. As I said, it’s still in there. There’s nothing I can do to unbind it. It has to come from within you. You’ll have to dig deep to find that vault and unlock it.”
I breathe the smallest sigh of relief that there’s at least a way. “How can I do that?”
“Unfortunately, I don’t have that answer for you. Every Fae’s magic manifests in a different way. Which means, so will their vaults.” She offers me a sad, apologetic smile.
“…Right.”
“I can help you try to feel for it, if you’d like. Since I’m the one who did this to you in the first place.”
I hold up a hand. “I think you’ve already done enough.” I gasp out around the tightening in my throat. “I’ll work this one out on my own. Besides,” I pause a moment before I commit to the decision I’m about to make, “I want to go back to Alinea and find my parents.” I was still unsure whether I wanted to go before I walked back into this conversation but saying the words, I can feel the truth in them. I’m going back. Maybe being on Seelie lands will help me find this internal vault she’s locked my powers behind.
Her eyes widen with panic. “You… want to go back? Olivia, youdounderstand the dangers that occupy the lands, right? Especially given who you are. It’s not safe.”
“No offense, Fleur, but I’ve spent the last several days there and I’ve been fine.” I strategically choose not to mention the boggart, because really there’s no point in bringing it up now. “And maybe I would know of the dangers had I not been hidden away and raised outside the realm, so you only have yourself to blame for that.” My anger at the situation I’m in once again rises to the surface, no matter how much I try to push it down.
She stares at me stricken, until she wipes the expression into something firm. “Olivia, I won’t fight you on this. You’re an adult and I’m not your aunt, merely a guardian. It’s your right to do as you choose. But keep your wits about you.” Her nostrils flare, a sign of her frustration. “And be careful who you trust. Not everyone will help someone out of the kindness of their heart.”
“Understood,” I reply with a curt nod, before rising to my feet and heading towards the front door.
“Livi?”
Her voice stops me as I’m about to turn the knob. I turn around to face her. “Yes?”
“For what it’s worth, I am truly sorry for lying to you all these years. It was only meant to protect you.” She looks down into her tea that has likely long since gone cold, the shame clear in her body language.
“I appreciate the apology. But it will take me some time before I can begin to forgive you. And my parents at this rate.”
She nods in acceptance, lifting her eyes to meet mine. “Be careful, my dear. You can only outrun your fate for so long.” I can see the silver of tears gathering along her lower lashes. The setting sun casts shadows into the room, emphasizing the solemn mood weighing down the air between us.
With her ominous warning, I stalk out the front foot of the cottage, setting off to track down Bastian.
