but quickly try to school my expression. I knew I’d have to meet Vaeril’s peers at some point, but I don’t feel ready. Laughing at my failed attempt at a neutral expression, he leads me towards two immaculately dressed elves who are standing a little way from everyone else. “You’ll like them, I promise.” As we draw closer, I realise that they look older than everyone else—still beautiful, but soft creases line their faces. Thinking back to what Vaeril had said about elves’ ages, I can’t even imagine how old these two would need to be to show the signs of age.
The pair turn to face us as we approach. The female smiles kindly. She’s wearing a beautiful, understated, light blue wrap type dress, with her light hair up in a bun decorated with a thin silver chain. The male is watching me with a curious expression, like he’s not quite sure what to make of me. He’s wearing a fitted embroidered jacket that seems to be a popular style here, as most of the males, including Vaeril and Naril, are sporting one of the same style.
“Taelir, Saril. I’d like you to meet Clarissa,” Vaeril introduces us, gesturing first to the male, Taelir, then to the female, Saril. The latter of the two smiles warmly at me before her gaze flicks up to Vaeril, her eyes glittering with excitement. “She was instrumental in my escape from the humans,” he continues, nodding his head at whatever silent question Saril was asking him. Her smile widens at his confirmation, and she reaches out to take my hands, pausing at my slightly panicked look.
“It’s okay, I trust her,” Vaeril whispers into my ear. Taking a deep breath, I give her a tentative smile and reach out, placing my hands in hers.
“Lovely to meet you, young one,” she greets, but as soon as she touches my skin, both of our eyes widen, hers going blank as her mouth drops open in a silent ‘O.’ Shocks of electricity shoot up my arms from her touch, and the goddess mark on my wrist glows so brightly even the golden cuffs can’t contain the light. This female, whatever power she possesses, is powerful. I’ve never felt anything like it. Images appear in my mind then, images of me and a small group of people leaving Galandell. We’re hiking across a great expanse of land, whatever our journey, it’s not an easy one.
As quickly as the images appeared, they vanish, leaving me staring at the elf before me. The male at her side is watching her carefully, his hand resting on her back as if to catch her should she fall.
“What just happened?” I whisper quietly, but I know their hearing will pick up my words.
“Did you get a vision?” Naril inquires from behind me. I turn to stare at him in shock, but I have to stop as the world spins around me, fatigue making my body feel heavy as my energy drains from me. Hands reach out to steady me.
“Are you okay?” Vaeril queries intently, his eyes running over my face as if searching for injury. Silently, I nod, turning to look back at the elf who seems to have recovered from whatever just happened.
“Child, you have great power.” Her words, while gentle, hit me like a physical blow.
“I have no magic.” The denial comes so fast that it sounds false, even to me, but I’m telling the truth. I’ve been told many times that what I possess isn’t magic, so she has to be wrong.
“I wouldn’t be so sure of that.” Voice light, she takes another step towards me and places her hand on top of mine again. Nothing happens this time, other than a very light tingling where our skin touches. “It’s different, neither human nor elf, but you have power.” Her tone is curious as she tilts her head to one side, and although she’s looking at me, I get the impression she’s not seeing me. “You’ve been marked by the gods,” she whispers, her hand sliding up my wrist, moving the bangle to expose my goddess mark.
“Clarissa is able to amplify magic,” Vaeril explains, frowning as he looks between the two of us. “I hadn’t thought it would cause you to have a vision, otherwise I would’ve warned you. I apologise.”
Saril seems to wake from whatever trance-like state she’s in, smiling first at Vaeril, then at me, patting the back of my hand before stepping into the arms of Taelir. “It’s fine,