“It’s amalelike that, not amanlike that. You should use the correct term for your mate.”
I nodded and extended the silence so much that we both relaxed and took the time to gaze at each other. Rhylan took me in with pity, I could even say slight regret, as though what I had gone through this past year pained him.
I did not want his regret; it came too late.
“So… appearing?” I reopened the conversation, not wanting to fall into the depths of pain yet again, especially not in front of Rhylan. I had cried too many times already.
“It’s when one uses energy to jump through matter. One moment you are in one place and the next you are in another,” Rhylan explained and memories of Ansgar appearing and disappearing in the woods, sometimes with me in his arms made me understand. “There is no entrance per se, like a door or whatever you are imagining. A mortal could just walk through and never realise. But a faerie will appear from the portal into a specific point in their kingdom.”
I nodded. Taking the path down my memories and remembering how I had appeared in a forest in the Earth Kingdom when Rhylan made me drink the Cloutie tea and how, even with Ansgar by my side, we had to travel the same route in the morning, to be able to get home.
“How is one killed by mermaids? Sirens? Is there a difference?” I went back to what interested me, taking advantage that Rhylan seemed to be dropping truths within his words.
“The sirens used to be the royals, direct descendants of their goddess and mermaids used to be weaker, since they did not receive the blessing of creation, but were born instead. Come to think of it, everyone is a mermaid nowadays, but when speaking to the royals, they liked to be acknowledged,” he explained.
“Noted, if I ever go for a stroll underwater and discover an actual mermaid, I will make sure to ask about her origin so I can address her correctly,” I huffed.
“It may happen sooner than you think, sprout.”
“Stop calling me that,” I demanded for the hundredth time that day.
Rhylan smirked. “Do you prefer fahrenor?”
I froze in place. How could he know that? How did he know that? Ansgar had been very particular about calling me his starlight only when we were alone, using it as a prayer to our love rather than a pet name. There was no way Rhylan could know...unless…
“Yes, he is alive, I already told you that,” the old fae insisted.
“You said you do not know what I am thinking, that you can’t read minds?” I questioned, hoping to catch him in his own lies.
“I don’t have to read your mind. You’re pink and green. You have hope and love pouring out of you,” he raised his shoulder to say that it was not his fault my thoughts became so obvious.
“How can you prove to me that Ansgar is alive? How can you prove that you met my brother?”
“Here,” Rhylan said and stood slightly, finding support on his knees, and started searching for something in his right pocket. Seconds later, he pulled out a white silk handkerchief and handed it to me.
“I don’t plan on crying again,” I said when he forced it into my hand.
“Open it,” the faerie urged and when I did, it proved impossible to keep my eyes from tearing up again. Inside the fabric, a lock of braided hair rested in my hand and it looked extremely similar to Ansgar’s golden-brown hair. I had admired it so many times in the woods, I instantly recognised it. The way the sun weaved into his hair, making it look like the top of his head wore a crown made of light. It had to be his.
“That doesn’t prove anything,” I said, struggling to contain my emotions and keep Rhylan from discovering any more feelings I did not plan to reveal.This was it, the round of negotiations. And I had to be the one winning.
“It proves that your mate still lives,” Rhylan frowned.
“It doesn’t,” I replied. “You could have taken this from him any time before killing him,” my tone sounded accusatory and full of unresolved hatred.
Rhylan sighed, defeated, or tired of this back and forth, I did not know.
“Young girl, I have lived for many years and played my part in many events, but never once have I met someone as distrusting as yourself.”
“I’m just stating the facts here,” I defended myself. “And I will not make the mistake of trusting you so easily in the future.”
“You can send a message to the royal family and have them confirm. Better?” Rhylan asked exasperated.
“That’s better. And what is my part in this deal you want to make?”
“The young prince seems disinclined to give us the information about the location of their goddess’s tear. I will need you to accompany me into the Fire Kingdom when the time comes and help persuade him.” Rhylan released the words quickly and settled to wait for my answer. His face looked stressed and not very hopeful, as though what he had just told me wasn’t the best news he could give me.
“So you want me to come with you, to your kingdom under the world and see Ansgar?” I asked while shock and disbelief portrayed on my face.
