A hint of sympathy glimmered behind Fyn’s eyes. “You’ve had his heart the entire time. I think you’re the only one to ever truly hold it.” Fyn dropped his quill on the parchment, his hands motioned me closer. “This struggle isn’t just yours. He was here a moment ago. You two are more alike than you think.” He cleared his throat.
“Fyn?”
“I know what it feels like...” His words crept between us. “It is a wonderful thing to love deeply, but unbearable to know it’ll be taken from you.” He choked on his words, as his eyes hazed over.
“Who is she?”
A smile tugged at his lips, but he fought it back. “Her voice was…” He grabbed the quill again. “She is no one.”
“No one… has you this emotional?”
“I am not emotional. Goodness—I try to relate to you, and you turn it around on me.”
“Okay…so this relationship with no one has you feeling like you understand what I’m going through?”
“Fine. She lives in Eyrsea. Her magic was tied to the sea, but my duty to Lythira kept me here. It wasn’t tragic or anything.”
“Sure,” I nodded. “I shouldn’t have pried.”
“You really shouldn’t.” He continued scanning his list. “The moment she said I couldn’t give her what she wanted; I stopped trying. I should have done anything, but I never went after her.” He rolled up the parchment and placed it aside.
“I’m sorry, Fyn” I said.
“Don’t waste your time with him. Allow yourself to have whatever you wish with him, while you still can. So you don’t live to regret it.”
“That is exactly what I want, but sometimes it feels too painful.”
“You will find your own way, in your own time.” He chuckled, but despair entangled with the fading sound of his laughter. “You always do. Probably because you’re so stubborn.”
“Just when I think you’re about to say something nice about me.”
“I say nice things about you to others all the time.”
“Sure you do, Fyn.” I smirked at him. “Is there anything I can do to help with your work? I haven’t been able to stop thinking about the conversation in the emergency council. I need to do something.”
He pushed a scroll over towards me.“Lord Orion and I are organizing a group to pack supplies for Othryl. We’d love the help if you’re willing to do the work.”
“I’m willing to do whatever is needed.” I unrolled thepaper. A detailed list of healing herbs was transcribed line by line.
“The others will be waiting outside—Lord Orion, Lady Aura, and whoever else he’s gathered.”
Their world had slowly become mine, but I remained an outsider. “They won’t mind me helping?”
“No one turns down an offer to help around here.” Fyn gathered his paperwork.
Voices carried through the castle halls as fae ladies and lords carried crates to the courtyard.
“You can help Rowena with the herbs,” Fyn said as he gestured to the fae healer that helped Lioran during his time in the infirmary. “Rowena, Lady Aelira is here to assist you.”
“I will gladly take your help, my lady.” Rowena nodded to me.
“Please, just call me Aelira.”
She nodded. Her hand extended to crates beside her. “We will take the supply list and make sure everything is prepared for the next shipment. The healers there are without many essentials.”
“We stopped in Othryl, with Prince Lioran.” My heart hardened with the thought of the healer, so frail she couldn’t help him.
“You know how essential this work is then.” I nodded, blinking back the tears.
