Fires of War (War and Deceit #4) - Erin O'Kane Page 0,58

mage, I’m hoping the latter is able to keep them safe. Jacob plagues my thoughts often, although I’m not quite sure how I’m supposed to feel about him anymore since I learned my mother was the Queen of Arhaven before she was murdered by the king. I know at some point, I’ll have to confront him and find out if he knew, to find out if we are related, but for now, I push those uncomfortable thoughts to the back of my mind.

“Your people are eager to see you, beloved.” As if she knows I need a distraction, Fawne breaks the silence, a serene expression on her face.

I shake my head as she walks by my side, her hooves almost silent against the mossy ground compared to my clumsy footing. “You make it sound like I’m their leader.” I snort, imagining Chief Ragnar’s face if he was to hear this conversation. “You were at the meeting with the chiefs the other day. I am an adviser, nothing more.”

It’s the speaker’s turn to snort, except hers sounds more like that of a deer and is much daintier than mine, making me smile. I can’t imagine her making such a crude sound often. “I don’t believe that, and neither do your people.” She glances at me, wearing a sure smile on her face. “The tribes will see eventually, but until then, the wood elves and fellow fae will follow your lead.”

I wish I was as confident about that as she was, but she hasn’t spent much time around the tribes. They’re stubborn and set in their ways. They don’t believe I am a goddess reincarnate like Speaker Fawne does. For her, it’s simple. Something about what she just said plays over in my mind.

“Wait, wood elves and fellow fae?” I ask, confused, but her smile just widens as she gestures forward.

Following her pointed arm, I see Vaeril, Eldrin, and Naril standing with Speaker Hawthorn. Tor isn’t in view, but I can feel him nearby, probably with the chiefs. Something taps on my consciousness, something powerful, and with a frown, I tentatively spread my awareness. I gasp and fall to my knees as I’m overwhelmed with feeling. My elves surround me, and I know they’re trying to ask me questions. I can see their mouths moving, but I just can’t register anything they’re saying. My mind is completely overloaded with sensation as I’m welcomed back by the forest. Pushing away the prying hands around me, I dig my fingers into the mossy ground, and with gritted teeth, extend my awareness farther.

Beloved.

Welcome home.

We missed you.

The ‘voices’ greet me loudly and enthusiastically, and I let my head roll back as joyous laughter escapes me. I’m aware I’m being watched, but I just close my eyes and focus on the forest around me, gasping again as I realise it’s absolutely teeming with life. The elves have not come alone, they’ve brought the rest of the fae with them, and the forest is joyous at their return. I realise now how different this forest is compared to the small grove of trees I’d been communicating with in the mountains. Here, every root, leaf, and petal is filled with magic and bursting with life. It’s mesmerising.

I’m not quite sure how long I stay this way for, but I’m brought back to full consciousness when my body shivers and I realise how cold I am. Slowly and reluctantly, I pull my awareness back into my body, rolling my shoulders and groaning slightly at the stiffness in my muscles. Opening my eyes, I see Vaeril, Tor, and Eldrin all sitting on the ground, surrounding me like sentries, and beyond them is a large group of creatures.

“Mother above,” I whisper, drawing Vaeril’s attention. Seeing me rubbing my hands together to warm myself, he automatically removes his cloak, ignoring my protests, and drapes it over my shoulders.

“Come warm up by the fire. You’ve been in a…trance for almost an hour.” He stands and offers me a hand, the others following suit, but instead of helping me, they turn and cast a wary eye over observing elves.

“Who are all these elves? They aren’t all wood elves… Are those sea elves?” I exclaim as he walks me over to a smaller fire away from everyone else, Eldrin and Tor acting like bodyguards as they follow behind us. I’m confused by what’s happening, but at the moment, I’m so cold, my brain is taking a few moments to catch up with everything that’s going on.