AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You’ll figure it out,” I assured her. “Just follow your heart.”
Lia snorted. “Easier said than done, cousin.”
Wasn’t that the truth.
When we made it to the palace, I hugged her again and said my goodbyes to Bayleon and Bastian before they hopped on their horses and joined the rest of the Spring Court as they left the Winter gates.
My family from Fall left shortly afterward, leaving only the Summer Court. Shailyn and Draya walked out of the palace, and I could tell Draya was nervous by the way she picked at her fingernails. It had to be strange for her to live in the mortal realm her entire life and then come here where things were completely different. We didn’t have cars to get you from one place to the next. There were no restaurants or department stores where you could buy food and clothes. We lived off the land and on our magic.
Unfortunately, Draya was only half fae which meant she had little to no magic. Nevertheless, I was curious to see if something awakened in her the longer she was here.
Shailyn hugged my mother and came over to me while Draya stayed with my mom. Shailyn leaned in close. “I really enjoy Draya’s company.”
Draya still fidgeted with her hands while talking to my mother. “Why does she look so nervous?” I asked.
Shailyn snickered. “Because I told her I was going to shift into my dragon and make her ride to Summer on my back.”
Shaking my head, I smiled. “That’s wrong on so many levels, but it would be quite comical.”
“Yeah, it would, but she told me it would make her sick, and I could sense her truth. The last thing I want is her throwing up all over me.”
That made me laugh. “I wouldn’t want that either.”
“That’s why we’re riding in one of the carriages. I’ll teach her how to ride a horse when we get home.”
Draya smiled at my mom and then headed over to us.
“Is she staying in the palace with you?”
Shailyn nodded. “For a while. At least until she gets the hang of how things are here.”
Draya bowed her head at me and then looked at me sheepishly. “Did I do that right? I don’t think you’d want to see me try to curtsy.”
I smiled. “You’re fine, Draya.” I glanced over at my mom and then back to her. “What did my mother say to you?”
Draya laughed once and shrugged. “Basically, to stay out of trouble and to wish me good luck.”
“That’s what I would suggest as well,” I said.
Draya bit her lip and stepped closer. “I know you don’t owe me any answers or explanations, but I have to ask . . .” she trailed off and averted her gaze, “did you kill Kai?”
When she looked back at me, I shook my head. “No. He’s a lot stronger than I thought.”
Draya nodded. “He is. Be careful, Princess. I’m afraid he’ll always hold a special place in my heart, but I oweyoumy life. All I ask is that you please take what I told you into consideration. His sister, Piper, is a good girl. She doesn’t want to bring you or any of your family harm.”
“Then she has nothing to worry about from me,” I stated honestly.
Sighing with relief, Draya clutched her chest. “Thank you. Knowing that makes me feel a lot better.” We said our goodbyes, and she left with Shailyn and the rest of the Summer Court.
My thoughts were all over the place as I stood on the palace steps and watched them exit the gates. For the first time in my life, I had no direction. I had no clue how I was going to kill Kai or how I was going to tell Iston that I couldn’t marry him. For my entire life, I’d prided myself on being responsible for making the best choices that would benefit the realm. I never thought of myself as selfish until now.
“Something is troubling you,” my mother called out. Her heels clattered on the icy stairs as she walked down them and stood next to me. Her winter-blue eyes stared into mine and she sighed. “I can see it on your face, Ella. I take it your hunt for the Shadow fae didn’t go so well?”
I scoffed. “That’s an understatement. It went horribly. I don’t know what I’m going to do now.”
My mother stepped in front of me, her expression serious. “You can let it go. The Shadow fae have been after us for years. They’re not going to take us down.”
If she only knew how powerful Kai was.
