3. Kyeria

CHAPTER 3

Kyeria

S he could hear his soft footsteps, but her mind was far from her body, focusing on the earth beneath her, the calm winds and steady stream of lake water lapsing into the shore below her. Her mother taught her that meditating was one of the easiest ways to tune into one's magic. Kyeria was enveloped in a small amount of warmth and softness. She distantly recognized it as a blanket.

After finishing her meditation, Kyeria returned to the cave. The sheltering walls made it much warmer inside compared to the chilly winds outside. Kellian was sprawled on the ground, using a bundle of fabrics as a pillow, and he was softly snoring in his sleep.

Kyeria wondered about this Dragon prince. He seemed guarded but kind, proud of his people and of The Hollow. His white hair tumbled around his face, making his golden eyes seem so bright. She felt overwhelmed looking at him, as if something in her veins hummed the way her magic reacted to the wind or the tree speaking to her.

Kellian explained more about this hidden land, how it was magically protected and humans could not pass into the Ash Mountains from a spell cast long ago to let them wander endlessly at the edge of the mountains. Kyeria assumed that this was how the raiders found the cave with the small egg hidden inside, that the magical border had, at a time, gone out further and the forest had been protected farther as well. Kellian had explained that over the years, the boundary of the spell had pulled closer, leaving the egg at the very edges instead of safe, deep within the Ash Mountains. It was shocking to Kyeria to hear of an ancient spell faltering when she could sense the magic was that of Lunas—where her own magic lived. Kyeria kept this thought to herself however; there must be other entities at play that she was unaware of.

She sat watching the cave entrance. Ember had left, promising to come back in the morning, and curiosity sparked through Kyeria's veins. She wanted to know if there were more sprites hidden throughout the continent, or if they kept in existence only here in the valleys of the Ash Mountains.

Kellian let out a grumble before his eyes cracked open, landing on Kyeria. He pulled himself to a seated position, his voice ragged with sleep as he said, "I'll take the rest of the watch, get some sleep." Kyeria's shoulders were low, hanging with tiredness, as she walked to where he had been resting. She laid a hand down on the earth and brought a small pillowed shaped bundle of leaves and grass up.

"Nice trick," Kellian grumbled, walking to the entrance of the cave and sitting on a rock that looked out to the lake and valley. Kyeria pulled the blanket over her and let her mind wander. She wondered why he was staying watch; if this place was protected from the humans then what was out there to harm them. It seemed as though many of the bedtime stories her mother would tell her were true in these lands. Those of Fae myths and legends. She knew of the Dragons but never imagined seeing a sprite in her lifetime until Ember flew right up to her. She believed them long since gone from the lands. Kyeria drifted off to a soft sleep, dreaming of home, of her mother whose golden eyes and flaming hair matched her own, and the stories she would share with the village children, the tales of a long lost land where Dragons roamed free.

Her bones rattled with awareness, awoken by her magic as a shutter of a warning rang out. The wind howled and in her sleep ridden daze she couldn't make out much of the wind's words until she saw Kellian missing from the large boulder at the front of the cave, and suddenly she heard the wind warning, the trees shrieking. One word.

Run .

She picked up her pack and sword, letting her hands drag over her waist to feel the daggers still attached under her layered cloak. Tucking the egg safely in her pack, she took off. Kyeria tried to slow her heart pounding in her ears to focus on her magic and listen to the earth itself.

Something was here, something dark like a shadow had descended into the lakes. She weaved behind the rocks and to a large tree trunk. Pressing her hands into the tree and closing her eyes, she sensed two presences that were unfamiliar to her.

Just as her eyes snapped open, she felt a third presence—a figure in light armor with long, flowing white hair and a distinctly female form. Kellian's scream pierced the air, a raw cry filled with genuine fear that cut through her, making her experience his anguish as though it were her own.

A black haze spread across the area of trees where she had just seen someone pass through. Kellian was sprinting, his eyes wide with fear and his sword drawn. He moved with an unnatural speed, beyond what she would have expected from someone who appeared human. Desperate to help, Kyeria cast her magic, letting it weave through the trees. As she reached out, she detected another presence, cloaked in a darkness so profound and terrifying that it made her blood run cold. Her magic surged into the earth, causing vines to erupt in an attempt to restrain the mysterious figure. However, her efforts proved futile against it. She felt a deathly grip emanating from where the figure stood. The mist coalesced into a menacing beast that ripped the vines apart easily.

Kellian spun around, his eyes locking onto hers with a mix of emotions she couldn't fully decipher. They were wild and pleading, as if his fear extended beyond himself to include her. He pointed urgently toward the lake.

"Kyeria, get to the lake!" His voice was filled with desperation. Kyeria shook her head and sprinted toward him, sword drawn. For a brief moment, his eyes softened, understanding her need to help and not stand by. The beast of shadow lunged at Kellian. Kyeria felt the air leave her lungs. It struck, and he tried to swing his sword out in defense but he was on the ground. With an unfamiliar shriek, a white haired woman arose from the shadow, and light burst out from her hand and into the beast, making it crash into the trees behind it, shadows splintering apart back into the cloud of shadow. The woman ran to Kellian, hands clutching around his head, blood was soaking through his shirt now.

"I can help!" Kyeria was running to get to him. The woman looked at her, golden eyes untrusting, white hair braided back from her face. She looked like Kellian; a warrior. Terrifying and beautiful.

"Please, let me help." Kyeria whispered to the mysterious woman. A loud noise from afar came at them, making Kyeria's heart stutter. The shadow was forming back into a beast and charging toward them. The woman looked torn, pure agony on her face at the idea of leaving Kellian but knowing she needed to advance on the beast.

"You are the child of the trees?" she asked quickly. Kyeria nodded and that was enough for the woman to blink out of eye shot and rush towards the beast, her light as her defense.

Kyeria pulled open Kellian's white tunic shirt and let her hands rest on his skin, pushing her magic in. His skin was warm and threaded with muscle. She felt a tremble go through her own body. Looking at Kellian this closely, his eyes were sealed shut, wrinkles forming around his eyes in pain. The wound slowly sealed and she felt his rickety breath even out under her hands. Kellian's gold eyes cracked open. They were identical to the woman who was throwing light at the monster.

"You were supposed to go to the lake," Kellian grumbled.

"Why would I do that?" she insisted. His brow furrowed.

"It is magical, the shadow beast cannot enter there," he answered. Kyeria looked behind her at the still lake under the moonlight, and had a thought. She was overwhelmed at the realization that Kellian had tried to protect her. She closed her eyes to push aside the feeling, focusing on the issue at hand. She could feel her magic pulling her attention behind her, the wind brushed her hair back as well. The lake.

"It cannot touch the water?" she asked. Kellian shook her head. "Then we must get you there."

Kellian shook his head towards the blur of white hair and light fighting the shadowed beast.

"I will not leave Aura's side." He pulled himself up with great pain and took up his fallen sword.

Kyeria whirled around to see Aura fall, and Kellian charged at the creature with a scream. Kyeria pushed the wind to spread the beast apart, making the shadowy form splinter. The beast screamed but always came back to the shape of an untouchable shadow creature, snarling, claws slashing at them. Aura dipped and rolled out of the way of a slash, narrowly avoiding a hit. Kellian muttered some words and his sword began to glow dimly. He swung and this time the metal hit the shadow beast and it made it shrink back with the hit.

The water, the lake is magical and the beast cannot touch it.

The trees whispered out to her:

The lake.

The lake.

The lake.

Kyeria reached out, pulling the last of her magic and throwing it at Aura and Kellian. The water followed her magic, accepting her will for it to move, and a wave crashed on them. A curdling shriek came from the beast and it vanished into a cloud of steam. Splinters of it running away on the wind, leaving them there in the aftermath of the fight. Aura and Kellian stood drenched in water, swords in hand and mouths agape in shock where the beast used to be.

"What the Hel are you?" Aura gasped slightly out of breath, arm bleeding. Kellian's eyes met hers again, swirling with questions. The two white haired not-so-human humans looked back at her, matching golden eyes and beauty.

"It cannot touch the water." Kyeria shrugged and walked over to them. "Hello, I'm Kyeria." She touched her chest with a hand and smiled gently at Aura.

"Fuck." Aura let out a breath. "I think I am going to like you." She brushed off the extra water from her armored corset and sleeves and put a hand on Kyeria's shoulder in thanks, then began walking north. Kellian watched her closely, clearly uncertain about her magic and abilities. He gave her a grateful nod before following Aura. Kyeria shook her head and trailed behind them. Kellian retrieved his pack from the abandoned cave, extinguished the small fire, and then returned to where Kyeria stood. He reached out, lifting her heavy pack off her shoulder and slinging it over his own. His fingers brushed her neck, sending a shiver of electricity down her arm. Their eyes met once more, and she saw a storm of unspoken emotions in his gaze. He simply nodded, his voice deep and weary. "Thank you."

He then led the way, and the three of them headed north. As they walked, Aura began to recount tales of The Hollow. She shared stories of sneaking into the woods for days on end, only to be pulled back by her brother or grandfather with stern warnings not to wander off. Now, with a shadow beast lurking in the lands, such freedom was no longer possible. Despite the gravity of their situation, Aura carried a brightness and ease in her demeanor.

"How long has this beast been roaming?" Kyeria asked.

"Since the last winter solstice," Kellian spoke for the first time in the hour they had been walking.

"Do you know where it came from?" Kyeria continued. She saw Kellian shoot Aura with a look, sharp eyes and a stealed mouth. Aura simply rolled her eyes.

"We are not certain. I have theories, of course, but nothing of substance; Kellian here doesn't approve of my theories, that is." Aura flipped a dagger over her fingers aimlessly as they walked.

"I would love to hear them." Kyeria sent a small smile towards Aura who returned it easily. Kellian went on scowling, his mouth contorted into a thin line as if holding back from speaking.

"Your Hollow sounds very familiar," Kyeria mused. Kellian's eyes darkened. He was deeply protective of this land and his sister, that much was blindingly obvious.

"My mother used to tell stories about a land with Dragons and a magical lake and a hidden kingdom," she continued. "There were old Fae tales about people with magic unlike our own. Not called from the Goddess Luna, but another. That Dragons were gods and there were those destined to guard them and serve them." Another look passed between Aura and Kellian she could not decipher.

"The Fae Islands were told to us to be quite beautiful, and are also in some of our fables," Aura offered. "Not to be too forward, but how are you here? On this continent? How could you have come in from the east and not the west?"

"I came over with my people in the Great War. All were needed," Kyeria said simply, her truth that hadn't been spoken in such a time.

"It's been a decade…" Aura trailed off. "And you've been here since the end of the war?"

Kyeria nodded.

Kellian's eyes met hers for the first time since the lake. Those deep golden eyes. They bore into her own, truly an intimidating experience.

"Yes. On my own," Kyeria clarified. She could anticipate the questions from them wondering how a Fae could be here and for so long and if there were more. There were not though. Only her. Who woke surrounded by so much death, long forgotten and assumed dead like the rest of her people. She had crawled and crawled, only twelve years of age, until she felt land under her again and not rubble and Fae. She saw only destruction in the then abandoned field. Smoke from fire that had died and not one living soul. When she reached into the soil, a deeply sad mourning was there, a cry for the people, the people who loved and cherished the land, who lived in peace with it. She couldn't sense a living being for as far as her magic could reach.

She knew she was alone. In a land that hated her people and slaughtered them. She was deep in what is now known as the Open Lands. What once was Fae territory was now barren, nature refusing to grow in solace and mourning, in respect for the lives lost. At the time, she found the nearest trees and climbed as high as she could and stayed tucked in the leaves and branches for days before wandering to the nearest village. Her wild hair had covered her ears and a kind villager had taken her in for a time. But that had been a lifetime ago. For the past ten years, she had moved from town to town, hiding her ears and casting her bright eyes downward. Her softer features, unlike the sharpness often associated with Faes, helped her blend in with humans more easily.

"I cannot imagine," Aura said sadly. "We owe you greatly for your kindness and for protecting a hatchling, and with the shadow beast." She smiled, stilling her dagger and pocketing it. "You will stay with us, in the castle." An audible intake of breath to her left came from Kellian.

"The castle?" Kyeria's eyes widened.

"Yep." Aura pointed. "Right there," she said, and peaking out of the trees were the tips of a stunning castle, stone walls draped in vines. She heard the water, felt it in her bones before seeing it. The river had led to another small meadow where a lake stood, and in the distance was the castle propped up on a small hill, surrounded by an intricate gilded gate. They walked up to the gate, stone pillars on either side, vines wrapping around and around. Aura seemingly tapped the gate and it let out an iron creek before unlocking. She pushed it open and strutted in. Guards came over, muttering to her in hushed tones. A tall dark haired one with a red cloak nodded to Kellian before walking with Aura, who was half his size down the path.

"Kellian, show our guest to her new home!" Aura shouted behind her and continued walking away deeper into the keep. Kyeria stopped, taking it all in. A second passed and a gruff noise signaled Kellian's presence before his body crashed into hers. Kyeria was propelled forward, dirt ground ready to greet her before a warmth wrapped around her waist, strong and rather large hands steading her and placed firmly on her side and one on her stomach.

"Sorry," Kellian mumbled before dropping his hands. Kyeria brushed her hands on her dress and simply shook her head as if to say, not your fault.

"We did not have much time to prepare, Fendiah only alerted me of your arrival right before a meeting. With the beast roaming, I thought it more important to get to you then prepare a room," he explained as they walked into the castle.

"I rather doubt you'd be the one preparing a room." Kyeria's words were out of her mouth before she could think better of keeping her words to herself. Kellian looked rather shocked.

"No, I suppose not," he replied. They ascended the grand staircase and meandered through several corridors. The castle, a majestic structure of weathered stone, had walls lined with tall, narrow windows that allowed the sunlight to pour in, casting warm, dappled patterns across the floor. The stone, both rugged and regal, seemed to absorb and reflect the light, creating a play of shadows and illumination that highlighted the castle's ancient, enduring beauty.

"Well I'll certainly get lost here…" she trailed off looking up at the very tall ceilings. Paintings in golden flecked frames hung on every inch of the walls as they walked. "These are stunning."

"Yes, my family has harbored the arts for centuries in The Hollow." His voice was soft, matching his eyes as they took in the same paintings she was admiring.

"Your room is here." He stopped in front of a red cherry wood door covered in carvings of intricate patterns. He opened the door to reveal a large room, gauzy curtains catching in the wind over floor to ceiling windows that lead to a small patio. It was far from the nicest of rooms in the castle, but one of the few that was habitable.

"This is–" Kyeria started before feeling very small. She shouldn't have this room, fit for someone of regal birth, someone important, but certainly not her . "There must be a smaller room, you might need this. It is…so grand." The words quickly tumbled out of her mouth.

"You don't like it?" Kellian asked, sounding almost offended. She whirled to face him, the small shock evident on his face.

"No!" she gasped. "It's breathtaking, but it's too much! I don't need this, and I certainly don't deserve it. Goddess above, I've rarely even had a bed of my own." She babbled on, struggling to find the right words to convey her sense of unworthiness.

His eyes softened with understanding.

"We don't have many guests," he said gently but with a tone of finality that brokered no argument. "This room will be yours." As a prince, his words carried weight, and she could only manage a soft "Oh" in response. He gave a brief nod before turning toward the door, pausing in the frame.

"There's extra clothes in the dresser, a bath in that room there, I'll be back before the sun sets." His arms were crossed, his white hair tousled and streaked with gray from their journey. Half of it was pulled back, but several strands had come loose, framing his face and falling into his eyes. Kyeria took a moment to truly observe him. He was tall and broad, and his fighting prowess, evident from their encounter by the lake, was unmistakable. His intense gaze was fixed on her, as though he could see right through the carefully constructed fa?ade she maintained.

She smiled and bowed her head. "Thank you, I cannot begin to express my thanks," she said gently. He didn't offer a smile in return, but nodded all the same before leaving and closing the door behind him.

Kyeria released a long-held sigh and stepped into the adjoining room. There, at the center, stood a grand copper bathtub, its surface kissed by the steam of warm water, inviting her weary body. Her aching muscles ached for the comfort it promised. She noticed salts and delicate glass jars lined on the ledge, each labeled with promises like "to calm" and "to heal." With a sense of relief, she poured both into the water before disrobing—peeling away her chermis, her tattered, mud-stained dress, and her boots. As she sank into the soothing embrace of the bath, she let out a sigh that seemed to release a decade of burdens. Here was a room all her own, a bath to ease her weariness, and a refuge where the shape of her ears was no longer a threat. For now, she would let the rest unfold in its own time.