22

TWENTY-THREE

Ember

I sleep peacefully, warmed and comforted by the presence of my mate. His body envelopes me and it’s a sensation I never want to be rid of.

Breathing in and out, I see colors of white, gold, and silver that flash into my dreams and invade my subconscious. I feel Willow’s body release me, and my feet take me somewhere without my consent.

I wake by myself, in a black room with no lights.

My body aches from resting on the cold stone floor, I groan as I stretch and feel my limbs awaken.

“Hello?” My voice croaks.

No one answers me, instead, I’m greeted by the silence of this dark room.

Where the hell am I?

I fell asleep in the peace of Will’s arms for the first time and woke in this empty, dark room. Why do all good things have to come to an end for me?

I swear I’m cursed.

Laying on the ground, I slowly raise myself. I flick on a fae light and look around the dusty room. Where is Willow? Where am I?

There are six pedestals on each side of the room with objects floating above them. Stars and moons are painted on the ceiling which reflect the night sky outside. On the opposing side of the room stands a white tree with red leaves. It’s quite abnormal and I’ve never seen anything like it. I don’t understand how it’s growing inside but faerie magic is quite miraculous with ancient complex spells.

I search the room quickly and verify I’m alone with no entrance or exit in sight. There are no windows so I truly haven’t an idea how I got here. I start to walk the room and examine each object on the pedestals. They’re random and don’t match each other in any way.

There is a dagger, a teacup, a teddy bear, a sock, a flower, and more random objects floating throughout the room.

None of the objects light up or speak to me but as I approach the large tree with blood-red leaves, my chest begins humming similarly to the bond that lives for my prince. This is slightly different, but I do feel the same sensations such as warmth, tingling, and the feeling of being safe and at peace.

As I step closer to the trunk of this massive tree, I notice there are carvings and words written on almost all of the branches. “Edgar Flecker, Reinah Dewdrop, Morak Moonlace...” I suck in a breath as I realize this is a royal line tree. It lists each regime and family that has had control of the Lunar Throne. As I examine the names, I notice there’s a scratched-out name under Morak and Meelis Moonlace. They must have had a child that died at birth because I never heard of them having children at all.

That’s strange.

There’s a bright flash of light behind me and I quickly turn to find a large orb of light dancing in the center of the room.

Covering my eyes, I brace for the blinding light.

“Um, Hello? Who’s there?” I ask the orb. I don’t know why I’m here, but clearly the moons brought me to this place for a reason. I’m not sure if this is real or if I’m still dreaming either.

“Daughter of The Moons, born on a night of bloodshed, hidden right under their noses. You are late.” A woman’s ethereal voice speaks to me through the white dancing ball of light.

“Um, excuse me? I wasn’t aware I knew any balls of light, let alone had an appointment with one.” I cross my arms and stare at the orb. I didn’t ask to be dragged here after one of the best nights of my life.

The woman laughs softly, “You remind me so much of your mother. She had the same ferocity and bite that you possess.”

I drop my arms and slowly stroll closer to the light. I’m saddened and jealous that this strange being knew my mother and I wasn’t privileged to ever meet her.

“Who are you? How do you know my mother? Why am I here?” I ask as I stand in front of the light. As I get closer, it barely touches my nose. There are swirls and currents of white and yellow light that dance within the center of the orb.

“Patience, princess. All will be revealed when the time is right.” She says to me with amusement in her voice.

I hate being treated like a child.

Circling the orb, I peer into its light. “I don’t have time for this. What the fuck is going on, mystical orb of wisdom?”

It grows brighter and then fades again to a softer glowing ball of light.

“I am Naistrelle, goddess of love and sacrifice, keeper of the second moon.”

I fall completely still. I’m utterly shocked. I’m so surprised that I don’t even hear her calling my name.

“You are the daughter of the last primes to rule these lands. Daughter of Morak and Meelis Moonlace. With time, you and your mate will be strong enough to endure the final battle. You have been tasked with ridding these lands of its tyrant forces and restoring peace to the faerie race.”

“I don’t understand. How is that possible? History states that King Morak and Queen Meelis transitioned to the celestial city before ever being with child.” I shake my head and try to recall the history books I’ve read numerous times. “What do you mean my mate and I are powerful enough?”

The orb lets off warmth and light that encompass my body and takes me far away into the memory of another.

I watch as King Morak and Queen Meelis hover over a newborn faerie. The regal room is in utter chaos. Screams and cries are sounding from everywhere in the palace.

Swords have fallen to the ground. Men are praying to the moons.

I watch as the king carries a strange box to the child.

“Do it, hurry!” the queen pleas with tears strolling down her face but determination set in her eyes.

“Nexuois, Soulais, Vonai.” The king spoke as an orb began to glow and rise above the box. He cupped the babe’s cheek as he watched the strange light embed itself in the small babe, imprinting on her soul.

It rested still in the babe’s chest and will forever lay with her.

“It is done.” The queen softly spoke to the room.

“I pray to the moons she’ll understand someday.” The king whispered to his queen.

“Take her, now.” The queen demanded two strangers scurrying around the room, gathering supplies and preparing to flee.

It was when the two strangers turned to face the queen that I awoke from the memory.

I slowly come back to the present and find myself staring into the ball of bright light. I’m at a loss of words for quite some time, choking on my own shock.

“Those… Those were my parents.” I whisper as the realization sets in.

“Yes, both sets of your parents were present in the room that night.”

“I don’t understand. What did they put in my chest that night?”

Naistrelle was silent for several more moments, contemplating telling me the truth.

“You will find out in time. It is not my story to tell.”

“Please, I have to know what’s going on.” I plead.

“I’ve shown you all I can. My advice to you is to stay close to the palace. Listen to the way the walls call to you and allow it to guide your path.”

“The palace? Why does the palace matter now?”

And before she answers me, I watch the light fade away. Leaving me behind in a dark room once again.

“Asshole.” I curse to myself.

I flick my fae light back to life and turn to find a door that has appeared opposite the royal tree. Now, I know who the scratched-out name below the Moonlace bloodline is.

The door’s shining outline entices me and I realize that’s my only way out of here. I need to get back to Willow and figure out what all of this even means.

I quicken my pace and head towards the door. I grab the handle and exit this mysterious room. As I turn and softly shut the door behind me, I find that I’m in one of the hallways of Willow’s wing. There are no guards in view, so before I turn around fully I watch as the door fades away. It’s as if it never was there.

That’s when I realize I’m fucking naked again. I fell asleep with Willow last night.

“What the hell!” I groan and search for something to hide myself. Frantically finding no material in this hallway, I decided to conjure a vine of leaves and wrap them around my body to cover myself. You can still see most of my breasts but it’s better than nothing, I suppose.

Some of the vines trail behind me as I make my way to Willow’s room. That’s when the guards start to show up.

“Princess!” one of the guards yells as they run towards me, clutching their armor and swords that bounce and clank.

I see Willow step into the hallway from his room, looking heartbroken and worried. He wears his emotions on his face and it’s so easy to tell when he’s distressed. Even if I didn’t have this bond, or if I was not an empath, it would still be easy to read the irritation, fear, and relief stretching across his features. He stands in sweatpants and is shirtless. He’s barefoot too.

Man, I landed myself a hot mate. I whisper through the bond as he turns to face me, surprise flashing across his face. He stops his conversation with Artie and takes off running in my direction.

“I’m okay, I promise.” I raise my hands and try to defend myself before he freaks out that I was missing.

He doesn’t respond as he races up to me and grabs me, kissing me deeply and wrapping me in his embrace.

It feels like home. It feels like forever.

The prince tastes amazing and I just want to crawl back into bed with him and never leave.

Releasing me, Willow looks into my eyes with so much relief that it cracks my heart. “I was so worried, what happened? One second you were there, and the next you vanished. It reminded me of my father’s magic and I was convinced he took you. I sent more than half my guards to his wing just to be sure.” He’s panting and breathless.

“I’m so sorry that I worried you.” I reach my hands up to cup his cheeks and give him one soft kiss. “I have so much to tell you, but I want you take me back to bed, mate.”

He smiles slowly and then beams at me with so much joy. “That was the first time you called me your mate.”

Before I respond, he snatches me in his arms and I laugh as he lifts me off the ground, carrying me back to the bedroom. We pass multiple guards but the only person I care about is Willow. “You’re going to have to explain this outfit because I nearly ripped off all those men’s heads off for seeing so much of your beautiful skin.”

I laugh and snuggle closer into his embrace as we make it to the bed. He sets me down on my feet again and slowly starts undressing me of the vines. After he’s unraveled each strand, he lets the leaves and vines fall to the floor.

I breathe in shallow breaths and stare up into his burning gaze. I’m not used to being looked at with so much need and hunger. I can see the neon blue flames of his magic seeping into his iris’ as he devours my body before him.

“Let’s go back to bed, mate.” He rasps.

Together, we crawl into bed and tangle in each other’s limbs. Neither of us is tired so I tell him everything. Willow strokes shapes along my back as I talk. I tell him about my encounter with Naistrelle, and the fact I might be a lost princess, and I also start to tell him about the Ascension and our mission.

“I’m sorry, I know this is a lot to take in right now.” I sit up in bed and stretch my neck, trying to relax my muscles after just pouring all of my truths on him.

Willow grabs my hand and holds it in his, directing my attention back to him. “I didn’t even know King Morak and Queen Meelis had a child?” he says more to himself than to me.

“Neither did I. I’m just as shocked as you are, if not more. I know who my parents are now.” I realize it out loud.

He tugs on my hand and brings me back down to rest on his chest. Will lies with an arm behind his head and one knee bent. Continuing to stroke my back in soothing rhythms, we try to decipher what the goddess said.

“What does she mean by ‘we’re strong enough now’? None of this makes sense.” I whisper with heavy pressure in my chest. “Why couldn’t she just tell me exactly what we need to do to counter the king’s new powers?”

“I don’t know, little dragon. We will figure this all out. I promise. It’s nothing we’re going to solve overnight, so I think we should meet with your guild. It’s probably best if we research and scout out my father’s movements. We just don’t have enough information on what he’s doing and why.” Will suggests.

As we continue to talk about the past few days, breakfast is delivered and we eat in bed. We sit in comfortable silence together as we indulge ourselves and prepare to face the day. I can’t help but wonder about the ball of light that was placed in my chest as a babe. What is it and how do I find it inside myself?

After we’ve dressed and cleaned up, we decide to stop by the grand opening of the orphanage before heading to Comet Cottages to check on Amara. Then, head to the Ascension to introduce everyone to my Prince.