Magic shortagewas a very diplomatic way to say that the human population was declining. I didn’t like that he was sugar-coating the situation, especially when it concernedmy people. Did he not think I was smart enough to read between the lines? I had yet to see another human since arriving, making me feel even more like an endangered species. We weren’t even welcome in his home. Was I supposed to feel grateful that his mother had made an exception for me?
Everything I’d grown up believing was a lie. I’d spent my life blissfully ignorant and I didn’t understand why—how? Faeries had been completely erased from Erador’s history, as far as I knew. Humans could make magic, but couldn’t access it. Faeries could wield magic, but couldn’t produce it.They drank from humans like… like vampires. And vampires werereal.
How was I supposed to process so much new information? I’d spun in too many circles and now everything felt fuzzy. If only I’d inherited Ophelia’s even temper and sharp mind instead of my mother’s sensitive nature. How was I going to navigate this dangerous world without getting myself killed?
It was difficult to talk on horseback, giving me the perfect excuse to observe the scenery, while Galen spoke. “The Kunzite Mountains surround us. Lavinia, our second largest city, sits in a valley tucked inside the middle of the range. Most of it has been built into the cliffside, connected by sky bridges. It’s stunning—built with Kunzite stone, the color of lavender, and surrounded by waterfalls. It attracts artists, musicians, writers… you’d love it.”
I gave a stiff smile as I peered at the monstrous lilac snow-capped mountains that loomed over us.
“Nymera is one large land mass full of different biomes and habitats. Monrovia is located in the tropical grasslands, surrounded by lush forests.It’s warm and humid most of the year, which makes it an ideal location for growing food and raising livestock. Plenty to hunt and forage for as well. Merivale Lake is behind us. It’s so large that it looks like an ocean. Beyond that lies the actual sea.”
Monrovia was sprawling—wild and untamed. Bright green grass blanketed rolling hills, while puffy clouds drifted across brilliant blue skies. Bowing jacaranda trees hung over the trail, exploding with purple blossoms. They shaded us from the beating sun, but the heat was still sweltering. My curly hair couldn’t be contained—coils sprang to life as sweat formed at the nape of my neck.
We passed fields of crops. People hard at work stopped to wave at us. Their children came closer, playing alongside our horses. Some homes were made of stone, while others were built into hillsides and around trees, blending in with the scenery.
Butterflies flitted around us as I tried to study the elaborate patterns of their neon wings. Beetles that glittered like jewels buzzed by as well, leaving colorful trails of glowing dust in their wake. Ribbons of pink, blue, yellow, and green hovered in the sky before dissipating into the atmosphere.
Animals walked along the road as we passed; I didn’t have the nerve to ask if they were faeries. Dogs, deer, foxes, and bobcats… black bears, porcupines, and even a zebra. I wasn’t an artist, but felt compelled to start sketching, just so I could remember every detail.
When an elephant passed us, my mouth hung open as his large trunk reached out, almost close enough to touch. It was impossible not to grin like a child as I took it all in. I felt as if I was in a dream and might wake up to Thea’s knocking at any moment.
My dream from last night…I’d almost forgotten it. The women in my family took our dreams seriously—even pragmatic Ophelia insisted that they were important. She claimed that the gods communicated to us through them, as did the dead.
My mother’s face flashed into my mind and I closed my eyes, trying to recall the blurry memory. She and Ophelia had been in the throne room, discussing my departure from Aurelius… like it had been fated to happen. Mama said she’d watch over me. I rubbed goosebumps off my arms. I knew she was close; I could feel her in the gentle breeze that blew through my hair.
I couldn’t stop wondering what Ophelia had wanted to tell me. I’d become a living example of what happens when a sheep wanders too far from the herd.A wolf finds you.I side-eyed Galen, looking regal andgorgeousas he sat on his horse. His bronze hair shimmered with a million shades of gold and red under the glowing sun. I kept catching him stare at me. Every single time, my stomach dipped.
We trotted through town until hooves met cobblestone, then dismounted and tied-off the horses. I gave Hibiscus a scratch on her pink nose, while I fed her an apple I’d taken from the stable. As we made our way into town on foot, I stayed close to Galen, letting him rest his hand on the small of my back.
Magenta flowers and dark green ivy crept along the white-stoned homes we passed. A thin, turquoise river snaked through the middle of town, dividing it in half. Cream-stoned bridges arched over the water, connecting the two halves. Oak trees with sprawling branches created a canopy over the roads.
The streets were filled with people going about their day. Galen was protective, keeping his arm around my waist as we weaved our way through the bustling crowds. Vendors sold unfamiliar produce, aromatic spices, textiles, trinkets, and jewelry. The smell of seasoned meat, sweet breads and baked goods wafted around us as we passed through an outdoor market.
Magic must’ve helped build all of this. It was the only explanation for so much progress in such a short time. The villagers appeared to be thriving in a world they weren’t native to, yet Galen had said they were desperate to go back to Erador—to the Kingdom that I was to one day rule—that his father had once ruled. Humans had stolen their city when they’d left.
If Galen knew who I was, would he consider me his enemy? Even though I hadn’t been the one to curse or exile them, I still felt the weight of what had happened. Would they blame me for the sins of my ancestors? I wasn’t even related to the royal blood line, but if they considered themselves the true rulers of Aurelius, then I was a direct threat to them. In some ways, Galen and I were fated to be enemies.
I glanced up at him, observing his confident demeanor as his eyes darted around the streets, staying ahead of any potential danger.
Would they still want to leave Nymera if they weren’t cursed? Did Ophelia know about their curse? Had she ever tried to break it? I held onto the necklace she’d given me yesterday and gathered strength from itswarmth. It sometimes felt hot against my skin—other times, ice cold. The star gave off a faint glow when it heated. I assumed if it had any significance, she would’ve told me. Then again, she hadn’t been as forthcoming with information as I’d once thought.
We walked from shop to shop, talking to the locals and sampling their wares. I ate a glazed cinnamon pastry in the shape of a six-pointed star. We sipped sparkling blood berry wine that tasted incredible, but looked gruesome after all I’d learned today.
The apothecary was my favorite stop. There were hundreds, no,thousandsof glass vials filled with dried herbs and oils—many I’d never heard of. I carefully picked up each small bottle and inspected the contents, thinking of the impact new plants and medications could have on Aurelius.
“Is it very different than home?” Galen asked as we meandered to the seamstress to get my measurements.
“Aurelius is ancient… as you know. Buildings have been built on top of buildings. Change happens both quickly and slowly in a city that big. Monrovia feels fresh, energetic, lively…”
Galen grinned down at me. “I’m glad you like it here. I think faeries have been able to thrive in Nymera in a way that we couldn’t in Erador—with the exception of the blood curse, of course. It took hiding ourselves in Aurelius, to know peace. If we could break the curse, then maybe we’d know it again.”
“Were you born in Erador?”
Galen shook his head. “No, I’m notthatold, though sometimes it feels like it. As heir to the throne, it’s easy to forget that I’m my own person, with my own needs.”
His gaze lingered and I cleared my throat, turning away as I said, "I’m impressed with the way your people have learned to coexist with nature. In Erador, we tend to demolish the natural world… or bend it to our will. We cut down forests to plant decorative gardens, dump sewage into the rivers, kill wildlife to make space for livestock. But here… I can hear the birds singing in the middle of the city. There are parks to rest in—your water is clear and clean. I wish humanity valued nature as much as your people seem to.”
“Human or faerie… there are always those who’ll choose personal gain over coexistence. Destructioniscreation, depending on the mindset. We have a saying here:A forest of trees can create a home, but toomany homes will destroy a forest. Greed leaves us all with nothing. Balance is key, but difficult to maintain. If you ever figure out how to stop corruption, let me know.” He looked tired…sad. A glimpse of the man behind the Prince.
