Page 141 of Captive of Secrets and Storms

My hands fly over my hair once more, smoothing the strands.

“Everything is fine.” Rian’s eyes slide to mine before swiftly moving away. “Meet me to spar again in ten minutes.”

Another loaded pause follows.

Draven’s uncertainty slips under the gap between the door and the floor.

“Fine,” he grunts. “But don’t forget the decision you made. Don’t allow a moment of weakness to⁠—”

“Enough, Draven,” Rian barks. “I’ll be out in a moment.”

Heat creeps up my neck, and I’m unable to shake the thought that the decision Draven mentioned has something to do with me.

Mutters sound on the other side of the door, growing fainter as Draven moves away.

Rian avoids my gaze while I stare, worrying my bottom lip as my gaze traces the sharp line of his profile. Even flustered, he’s infuriatingly handsome.

Stop it.

I drag in a steadying breath.

You only want him because he’s powerful. Because he’s Fae and you are⁠—

I exhale, my shoulders sagging under the weight of the truth.

Because I’m part Fae.

This is insane.

And yet my magic trills in my chest when I acknowledge its source.

I’m part Fae.

Somehow, I am a descendant of a Light Fae who fled Eranthia during the war.

Somehow, one of my ancestors survived.

I should be reeling.

I should be panicking.

Why am I not panicking?

Because you’ve always known you are different.

I thought I was a human with magic, an anomaly my neighbors would have burned if they ever discovered the truth.

Learning that my power comes from a distant Fae ancestor doesn’t change who I am.

I’m still someone who carries magic, still someone who must hide it.

I take another deep breath.

I’ve been keeping secrets my entire life. What’s one more?

I will be okay.

For now, I need to focus on the situation at hand.