Page 99 of A Whisper of Cinders

“Can it be reversed?”

He stares in the distance, outside the window that overlooks the courtyard. “Not that we have found, but we won’t stop until we can bring our lands back to its original state.”

The table swirls until it shows the vibrant colours of nature, happiness amongst the fae. It tugs at something inside of my chest. I think about my powers, about Conláeds. “Can’t the snow be…melted?”

The smile he offers me doesn’t quite reach his eyes. “If it only were that easy. We tried, many times, with different fae, in groups, with water benders changing the constitution of the ice. But it's no use, the snow returns, double the amount of before.”

The truth unsettles me. There has to be something I can do. I did my best at Anima, helping whenever I could. I just have to find how I can be of help here.

Speaking of Anima…

“Where do the humans live?”

Sirideán shakes off his sorrow and seems grateful for the change of subject. He even masters a rather convincing smile. “We live right next to them. You might’ve felt a wave of energy or a severe headache on your way to the Academy.”

I felt a lot of things in the ride, but I do remember a strong vibration rushing through me. “I did.”

“That was you passing the barrier. No need to worry, if you make another trip to the human lands, you won’t feel a thing. The only reason you felt it was because you’ve been separated from us for such a long time.” I nod. That makes sense. “We live peacefully next to the humans and visit them every now and then.”

“Can humans live in Thyralune?” I ask.

“Humans can cross our border, but we do everything within our powers to lead them away.”

I frown. “Why is that?”

“Us fae are a kind folk, but since you now know of the dangers that exist here, humans wouldn’t last very long. Besides the dangers, they would get lost in the beauty of it all, ignore their internal signals that want to protect them and end up dead.”

“Don’t follow the little lights. Got it.”

His laugh is a low rumble and it eases some of the tension in my shoulders. “Yes, something like that. It’s why our building looks haunted and seconds away from collapsing. Only fools would enter a building like that and if they do, our barrier makes them see their most gruesome nightmare.”

Since I don’t dream, I wouldn’t know what my nightmare would be, probably Dom, using his whip on me. And that’s not something I want to be reminded of.

“Are there any other questions?” Sirideán asks.

Yes. How do I explain the burning feeling in my chest, the fire rushing through me, the intuition and knowledge I somehow already possess. “Your explanation was excellent.”

He chuckles. “Thank you, it’s been a while since I’ve told the history of our realm, our story, and although the end saddens me, it keeps the memory of our king and queen alive.”

Why do I feel like I know them too?

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

The queen was never seen again and the king eventually passed away, becoming one with nature. Morvith and her foul creatures lay low, although there are whispers every now and then of the land growing sick, fae gone missing or random attacks.

The dark forces can’t pass through the invisible barrier around the Academy. It makes me feel a little safer.

It is nearly impossible for the fae who live in Solunara to cross Nocthyr — the now dark and decayed version of Aurelune — or the other way around. Many have tried, few have returned or reached their destination without being harmed. It means families are separated, with only a magical butterfly that lands on your forehead that functions as a communication tool across the realm.

When I reach my room, I am not surprised to see Ami sitting on the bed. “There you are, I thought you had become one with the books in the library.”

I smile sheepishly. “Sorry, I had a couple of questions and, well Sirideán explained them all quite extensively.”

She giggles. “I can imagine, he has such a broad knowledge over all sorts of subjects, he could talk for hours and still have shared the bare minimum.”

I walk to my closet and open it, surprised to see a lot of new swimming pieces that definitely weren’t there before. “Where do all these clothes keep coming from?”

Ami laughs and I give her a confused look.