My heart hardened and I blinked back the tears before they could fall.
The words of protest were left unspoken.
Even in the solitude of my chambers, I still felt his presence.
Loud. Threatening. Domineering.
The leather book’s embroidery protruded into my fingertips. Its blank pages taunted me. Who knew what answers it held, but if it held anything at all—I was desperate to hear it.
Lines etched into the parchment quicker than before.
It is no longer safe for you to remain in Bailoc.
I won’t be here much longer. Soon I’ll call the Vale home.
You mustn’t go.
Where else could I go?
Lythira.
The fae territory—a kingdom that hates humans. They attacked us, then cursed us with the blight. They stripped our people of everything.
Things are not as you have been told.
The fae did not cause the blight.
They do not seek to destroy your kind.
Then who did?
It began once the war ended. Once the land had enough.
An impassable divide lay between us, held in place by their magic. Why did they want to keep the humans out? Why did they fear us? I hadn’t stopped to ever consider everything I was told.
The fae didn’t start the blight. And they couldn’t reverse it.
Cross into Lythira.
It is your destiny.
Humans can’t cross the divide.
You can, Aelira.
Lythira is waiting for you.
Why would Lythira be waiting for me?
It has begun.
Do not wait.
Exhaustion crept in. It squeezed every muscle.
Freedom can be yours.
Freedom was nothing but a dream that fate stole from me.
