Although it has only been a week that I have been meeting with Ella, I find myself already dreading the day when she will leave for Arnafell. As I make my way through the gardens to find Oradon, my thoughts keep returning to what he said about my future: Starlight and the Silver Moon. I must speak with him… find out exactly what he has seen in his visions.
I’ve always suspected he sees much more than he admits. I have never outwardly accused him of this, but I will today. I must know what he sees in my future concerning Ella. I did not intend to become so close to a human, but I cannot undo what is already done. And now I must know if there is even the slightest of hope that my vision of her will come to pass.
As I round the corner, I find Oradon sitting with my father and grandfather near the crystal fountain.
While I would not mind finding Oradon with my grandfather, my father is an entirely different matter. His insistence that I take a bondmate is now a constant and uncomfortable source of tension between us.
Father’s gaze shifts immediately to me as I approach. “I have been looking for you.”
I remain silent, bracing myself for the inevitable lecture I’m certain is to come.
He continues. “Lord Fenlyr has presented an offer of betrothal to you for his daughter’s hand.”
I frown. “I will not agree to it.”
He arches a brow. “His daughter’s light magic is powerful. Many say Lorala is one of the strongest wielders among us. She is your childhood friend, and I believe she would be a good match for you,” he remarks calmly. “A safe one, even, my son.”
I clench my jaw. I understand what he is saying. If her light magic is strong, she would be a good counterbalance for my dark magic. After all, in the olden days before Dark Fae were put to death, they would choose bondmates who could safely help them to control their powers in this way. Even so, I cannot, in good conscience, bind myself to her. “I will not bond with her, Father. I cannot. Do you not see that it would be wrong to inflict my darkness—my burden—upon another?”
Father’s eyes are full of pity as he places his hands on my shoulders. “You must have a mate to balance your darkness, Ryvan. Do you not realize that is the reason I am trying to find someone for you?”
I blink across at him, stunned.
His gaze darts to Oradon and then back to me. “After we discovered what you were. Do you remember when I took you to Oradon and asked him to read you?”
I nod. I remember that day well.
Father continues. “He discovered that you were the strongest of any Dark Fae that has come before. You must have someone to balance your dark magic or else it will consume you, my son. And I—” his voice catches. “I already lost your mother and I refuse to lose you as well.”
His gaze holds mine before he speaks. “I have a meeting with the High Council. I ask that you consider my words.”
Before I can respond, he turns and flies away, leaving me alone with Oradon and my grandfather.
Oradon casts a knowing glance in my direction. “I assume you originally came here to find me?”
As usual, he is correct, only reaffirming my belief that he sees and knows more than he claims.
“I—” I stop when I remember my grandfather is still here, and I’m not sure how much to reveal in front of him. He and my father are close. While they do not share everything, this is one secret I cannot risk reaching my father’s ears.
As if sensing my hesitation, my grandfather places a hand on my shoulder, then stands. “I can sense you need to speak with your mentor alone.”
“Grandfather, I—”
His eyes shine with kindness. “It is all right, my dear boy. I have other matters to attend to today. We will speak later.”
Without waiting for me to reply, he extends his wings and takes flight. I lament once more how frail he seems. Like dry parchment that could tear apart in the slightest breeze. He appears old beyond his two hundred years lately. The loss of my grandmother has aged him, as I’ve heard can happen to those of my kin who lose their bondmate much sooner than expected.
Once he’s gone, I turn to Oradon. “I have met someone.”
His eyes widen. “Who is she?”
“Her name is Ella,” I reply, not bothering to mention she is human.
His mouth drifts open. “Starlight,” he breathes.
“When I touched her, something strange happened.”
He frowns. “What do you mean?”
“I… had a vision of us performing the bonding ceremony. Like a flash of memory, but it cannot be, because this has not happened.”
“Yet,” Oradon adds.
I cock my head to the side. “What are you not telling me?”
“When I search the future, I only see one path of many.” His brows knit together. “It does not always mean you will choose this path. Each choice we make affects the ones that follow. You come to me for guidance, but you must understand that you determine the course of your life. Not everything can be left up to fate.”
Frustration burns through me at his words. “There is something I must know, Oradon, and I cannot afford for you to answer me with your riddles.”
“I do not do this on purpose, my prince. I cannot dictate to you the course you should take. I can only offer guidance based on what I see. No more and no less.”
“There you go again calling me by my title instead of my name because you know that what you tell me is not what I wish to hear.” I lean forward and then meet his gaze evenly. “Please, Oradon, I must know: Will I follow the same path as the Dark Fae King Erebyr? His actions caused the death of his bondmate and his family. I… cannot bear the thought of—’
He places a hand on my shoulder as his blue eyes search mine. “Do you feel as though you are capable of such a thing?”
“No,” I reply without hesitation. “I could never do this.”
A faint smile tugs at his mouth. “Then, you have your answer, Ryvan.”
I understand that his words are meant to reassure me, but they do not. “And what does Ella have to do with all of this?” I ask. “I met her after you divined my future. Starlight and the silver moon… just as you mentioned. It cannot be coincidence.”
“You are right. It is not. But now you must decide what to do with the threads fate has presented to you.”
With a heavy sigh, I lift my gaze to the sky. Once more, my search for guidance only leads to more questions. It is many more hours until nightfall, but I am eager for it to arrive. For with it, I hope will come the answers that I seek.
