“I wish I had an answer... Such attacks were rare until recently.” We all sat in silence, letting the sorrow of the situation sink into our souls. I didn’t tell them that the Kingdom was likely behind it.
Meli looked towards Odin. “Marigold has offered to help us get off this world, when she is ready to open a door to Erador.”
His eyes lit up at her words. “You’d do that for us?” He moved closer to Meli and hugged her, resting his forehead against hers.
“I’ll try… that’s all I can promise.” They weren’t the only ones who needed a world walker’s help. I was terrified of proving myself useless, of letting everyone down, but I could no longer afford to let fear guide me. I had to start believing in myself.
With a shaky exhale, I said, “I’d also like to extend the invite to anyone you two deem worthy of going to Erador—faeries that treat humans as equals—humans that may need our help. Invite those you trust, then wecan formulate a plan when the time comes.”
I watched them find any excuse to touch each other while we talked. They held hands, teased each other, snuck kisses… It was almost nauseating—how in love they were—mostly because of the jealousy that roiled in my gut. How did they make a relationship between faerie and human look soeffortless?
“Does it hurt… when she bites you?” I asked, trying to appear nonchalant—as if the idea of drinking blood didn’t repulse me. They both looked at each other, before erupting with laughter.
“Quite the opposite,” Odin said. “I understand why you’d be disturbed by the idea, but the magic makes it pleasant for us. Some even find it addicting. But, Meli doesn’t have to bite me anymore.” He turned to her. “You haven’t told her?”
Meli flashed me a wry smile. “We performed the blood-bond a few months ago, which makes us a mated pair. Once a couple is bonded, they share abilities and magic. Odin now has the power to heal, while I have my own supply of magic.”
“The blood-bond?” I’d never heard of it.
“Yes,” Meli said. “All faeries have the option to bind themselves to a partner for eternity. We didn’t know if it would work between a human and a faerie, but it did. And now I don’thaveto drink from him. With these uncertain times, we decided it was worth the risk, in case one of us is killed.”
“It’s illegal to make the blood-bond with a human?” I asked, not surprised, but still outraged.
“It’s a sacred right, gifted by the gods themselves. Some faeries see it as blasphemous to give humans our gifts. But I don’t see it that way,” Meli said defiantly. “We’re all children of the same world. I think theywantus to share our gifts. Perhaps, they regret not giving humans the ability to use magic and the blood-bond is a way to mend their mistakes.”
I studied them. They weregoodpeople. I caught a glint of their uhras swirling together, like paint blending together on a palette. It was obvious that they were made for each other. And yet, couples were being torn apart and murdered, for simply following their hearts. Only monsters who gained power through hate and fear,wouldcriminalizelove.
“I was told that humans didn’t possess the right physical traits to wield magic” I said, turning to Odin. “Did the bond change you physically?”
“Nothing noticeable. Perhaps internally something shifted. After we became blood-bonded, my senses grew keener and my blood sang with the magic that had always been there, but I hadn’t been able to access. I feel more…alivenow, more connected to the world.” He gave a smile to his mate before nuzzling his nose against hers. “I’m just so grateful that I get to share my life with her.”
They were proof that romantic love wasreal. The way they looked at each other made me yearn for something similar. “How does one perform the blood-bond?”
They exchanged a look. Meli answered, “We both drank from each other while we… consummated the bond. Two souls nearly become one, once bonded. I can feel him, whether he’s near or far. I can sense his moods, his desires. We can even speak mind to mind. It’s a closeness that makes us feel like half of our soul is missing when we’re apart.”
“But one can live without the other, if… one dies?” It was an intrusive question. I regretted asking it when their faces fell.
“It would be excruciating, and the loss would linger forever, but one doesn’t immediately die if their mate does—though many lose the will to live if a bond breaks,” Meli said softly.
I stared at the ground, unable to meet her eyes. I wouldn’t let that happen to them. I’d find a way to deliver them to safety, no matter the cost.
eighteen
Ifound Rafael and Louis at breakfast the following day. It was rare for them to be in Monrovia at the same time, since they took turns patrolling nearby towns. Lately they’d been visiting villages still reeling from recent attacks; monitoring human Fae relations, searching for evidence, and taking stock of the magic supply in each city. They had their own agenda as well. Secretly, they were searching abandoned buildings, trying to find the missing humans, and learning anything they could about the Elders.
I pulled up a seat, peering around to make sure no servants were close enough to listen. As I threw an ice shield around us, I received a look of glowing pride from Louis.
“I was in the village yesterday visiting Meli,” I whispered. “She’s been getting harassed due to the blood shortage. I want to take her to Erador with us. It’s time we discuss how I’m going to learn to world walk… I’m ready to go to the garden and see if I can open a portal. I’m ready for answers.”
We’d been waiting until I had more control over my magic, waiting until they gathered more evidence. I was sick of waiting. Louis and Rafael formed shields of water and shadow over us, while I let mine sputter out, grabbing toast and fruit.
“World walking will demand a lot of energy. If you try to open a doorway and aren’t ready, it may consume you,” Louis said before shoving a bite of omelet into his mouth.
“I’m ready totry. The longer we wait, the more timetheyhave to amass power,” I replied.
Raf ran his hands through his hair before shaking it out. One stubborn lock fell back over his eyes and I had to hide my smile. He met my gaze as he said, “You’re right. But there’s something else we need to tell you.”
Louis blurted out, “Healers have been going missing.”
