took a flute out of her dress and began playing a cheerful tune. The losbiety gathered together and began dancing in a circle, their hovering feet stomping in time with the beat.
Nicoli moved forward, transfixed by the water faekin and her allure, but Lucien grabbed his arm.
“Don’t join them,” Lucien said harshly. “They’ll never let you out of the circle. Only observe.”
Nicoli stepped back. As the faekin danced, the snow around the area began to dance with them, whipping up the area in a glamorous snowstorm. I watched their dance, appreciating how similar to ice dancing the snow faekin’s movements were. A few of them sang louder, and chills ran up and down my arms at their otherworldly voices.
Creatures like these didn’t belong on Earth. They belonged in Edinmyre. It became even more important to me to open up the portal again, so these souls could go back to a land where they would flourish. They weren’t like Tygrys— they were different, and needed to live away from Earth.
We studied the faekin for an hour more, until the faekin decided it was time for them to go and they floated back into the forest. Chatter broke out amongst the group at how exciting it all had been.
“There will be a paper due on your experience with the faekin next week,” Lucien announced as students dispersed. “Full points will be given if you do your best.”
Lucien noticed me sitting on a bench near the now-smoldering fire. I’d cut myself off and remained isolated from the rest of the class throughout most of our visit. Though the faekin had been wonderful, I didn’t feel much like appreciating their charm.
Lucien sat beside me. “Something’s on your mind, Emma. You’ve been very quiet in my classes as of late. It’s not like you.”
“I’ve got a lot to think about.” I appreciated Lucien’s concern, but I didn’t feel like talking right now. I didn’t feel like doing much of anything but sitting here and allowing myself to freeze.
“I suppose it’s about the prince,” Lucien began. “The demon has nearly taken him over.”
My head whipped to the side. “How did you—”
“I am an experienced sorcerer. I saw the signs, though I’m sorry to say I didn’t notice them soon enough to do anything about it.” Lucien sighed. “It is out of my realm of power now.”
I curled my legs up on the bench and sat my chin on my knees. “I don’t know what to do. I’m so scared.”
“Fae magic doesn’t manifest when there’s fear,” Lucien reminded me. “You must let go of your fear, Emma. It doesn’t serve you. No fate, no matter how dire, is worse than being a victim of terror.”
“But I can’t save him. I’ve tried.”
“I believe that is a common misconception with demons. Our mates are thought to be the ones who save us. In reality, you can do nothing, Emma. Ethan is the only one who can save himself.”
“So you think there’s still a chance?” I lifted my gaze in hope.
“I’m not concerned about the prince. My worries are for you,” Lucien said. “You have a very important destiny, and not even love can get in the way of that.”
There it was. He was talking about me being the Worldweaver— he had to be. In a roundabout way, he was telling me he knew.
I didn’t even care that he knew my secret. What did it matter anyway? “I don’t care about my destiny. I just want to be happy.” I breathed a sigh, and a small cloud of condensation rose from my lips and to the clouds.
“Being happy is an illusion. Our emotions are determined by the choices we make, which influence our magic,” Lucien said. “Ethan can survive this demon, but he has to do it on his own, of his own free will. And you have to be willing to separate yourself from him if he chooses the wrong path.”
“But how can I live without him? He’s my mate.”
“I lost my mate long ago. It is not a fate I wish on anyone, though my life is far from purposeless. I have gathered some semblance of happiness over the years. You are strong enough to do the same.”
“I’m afraid I need him.” I didn’t know if the words were true or not. They didn’t seem true, but they felt like it.
“Don’t choose someone because you need them, Emma. Choose them because you want them,” Lucien said. “The only thing we need is the will to keep moving forward.