62. Finding Solutions YILEYNA âAnd thatâs why the sofa and everything is wet.â I finished.
I had spent the last hour telling Charlene about my powers, how Theon assumed I might be part mage or fae, and about the frost all over the cabin. âDear Selene... thatâs... amazing.â Charlene whispered in awe.
âI donât know if it is, but I was thinking of asking Madelia or maybe Zarian to see if they could help me channel it or something?â I mused as I stood up from where we had both been sitting cross-legged on the floor. 1 âHmm, I think Zarian is the better choice. Madelia is far too close to Dad, She obeys his orders without question, and if you donât want Dad to know, then I would say avoid her.â Charlene said. âYou have become stronger since your birthday, even I can sense it... Yileyna, do you think you made the odd storm happen last night?â
I almost laughed. âA storm? I highly doubt that.â âIâm serious... like you said, the entire place was frosted. The storm came on suddenly and was crazy all through the night, and it only calmed considerably after three in the morning...â Charlene said thoughtfully. âWhich would rule out you being a mage. Without casting a spell, thereâs no way you can draw upon your magic...â
âSo you think Iâm part fae then?â I asked tilting my head. âYes! Oh my goddess! You must be, you are so beautiful it makes sense!â She exclaimed in excitement, cupping my face. I raised an eyebrow before my amusement faded away as the reality set in that one or both of my parents may not be blood-related to me. As if realising what was on my mind, Charlene hugged me.
âOur blood does not make us who we are, just as I consider you as my sister.â She gave me a squeeze and I smiled.
She was right, no matter who or what I was, my parents were always going to be my parents. I was the daughter of William and Hana DeâLacor and no one else. âRight, so letâs do this. We first find a new apartment, and then we talk to Zarian.â Charlene decided.
âArenât you going to be missed at the castle?â
âNot yet, I have a few hours free before I need to return, and we need to think of a plan too...â She tapped her chin. âThis ball... I wish you would come.â âOh, I am coming.â I said as I laced up my boots. She turned sharply towards me in surprise and excitement.
âReally?â
âYes, Raiden asked me to accompany him.â I said, as Charlene smiled..
âOoo from one handsome man to another handsome but also charming young man! Heâs liked you for so long!â âLetâs not forget that Raiden is the biggest playboy in the city. Heâs slept with most women here. He only teased me and flirted.â I reminded her.
âOh I know but-â
âCharl, Iâm not ready to think of anyone romantically,â I whispered trying to hide the pain in my eyes. âIâm sorry.â She replied apologetically. âItâs fine, letâs go.â I said picking up my coat and putting it on. We left the cabin together; our first plan of action was to find somewhere for me to stay. We made a quick stop at the bank where I filled up a bag of coins from our family vault, and I saw that the king had indeed given me a good lump sum for the trip we had made. 1 âOk, letâs ask Madam Marigold if she knows a place! Iâm sure she may have some rooms above the café too.â
âThatâs true, we can ask her. Iâm sure she may know someone or other who is offering a place. If they even accept me with my reputation as the daughter of a traitor. I canât wait to remove this mark from my parentâs reputation.â I responded thoughtfully.
âShe is one person who doesnât care about anyoneâs opinion or background, Iâm sure sheâll happily help.â
It was true she had a mix of people working for her yet still her cafe wasnât any less busy, it was a place where everyone could just enjoy the sweet treats and hot drinks without discrimination. We made our way there, with Charlene saying she couldnât wait to have a hot drink with this blistering cold.
âFinally!â She breathed a sigh of relief when the café came into sight.
âYou really are cold.â I said, sympathetically looking at her red tipped nose. She looked over at me, looking me up and down calculatingly.
âDo you think your element is the reason you donât feel cold? I mean the ice.â She whispered, leaning closer.
âGoddess knows.â I shrugged, thinking over her words. âThat is an interesting point, recently I didnât feel as cold as I used to. I assumed it was because my wolf was awakening...â âExactly, I really think it plays a huge factor.â Charlene said thoughtfully. A sudden thought came to me, and my stomach twisted.
âCharlene, do you think if thatâs the case that I wonât have a wolf?â I whispered quietly.
Sure, the king had people of all species working for him, but they werenât in the pack Would that mean if I didnât have a wolf iâd be thrown out? âYou are most likely a hybrid; I can sense you are a werewolf. Trust me, I have done extensive research on this matter. If anything, you may not be able to take werewolf form, but most werewolf hybrids can mind link.â She explained confidently. I frowned and nodded. She was right... The few hybrids we had in the pack were extremely rare. I think there were only three at most, however only two of those three could shift but the third also had the mind link.
I wanted my wolf, I really did...
We reached the café soon after and requested if Madam Marigold could give us a few moments, when she had time, she looked at us suspiciously before giving a curt nod.
âAlright, now go to the back booth, Zarian will bring you something to eat. You are both a sight.â She ordered, as if she knew we hadnât eaten anything, but then I guess we both didnât look like our normal selves.
âThank you.â I said as Charlene smiled gratefully at her. Once settled and after placing our orders with Zarian, we waited for him to return. We planned to ask him when he brought our food.
âI love those pastries.â Charlene said licking her lips as she referred to the pastries we had just ordered Madam Marigold had some delicious pastries that she only served in the morning hours, and they were delicious, crispy pastries filled with a special cream and jam in the centre.
âMe too.â I said, playing with the fur of my coat that now sat on the booth beside me.
Zarian soon returned, his silky black hair held two small plaits that came from the back and fell by his side, and a few strands left out framing his face.
He was indeed a very beautiful man.
He flashed me a smile as I observed him. âDistracted, beautiful?â He teased as he placed our tray down.
âA little.â I said before smiling sweetly. âI actually had a favour to ask...â
âOh? What favour can I do for the beauty before me?â He looked curious, glancing between us before he crossed his arms, watching me with sharp interest.
As expected he wasnât just a beautiful man, I think I was right coming here. Something told me heâd be able to help us.
âYes, can we talk in private once you are free?â I asked quietly, glancing around the café.
He tapped his chin before he nodded. âYou are in luck; I am finishing early today anyway.â He replied with a wink. âPerfect.â
Charlene said just as Madam Marigold came over and Zarian walked off smoothly.
âI do hope you pretties are not distracting my waiter. Now, what can I help you ladies with?â She said sitting down beside me and folding the tea towel she was holding with a huff of relief.
âBusy morning, I see.â Charlene said picking up one of the pastries. âExtremely. I await the day I retire, yet I love this place so much I donât see it happening any day soon.â
âWell, we are glad to hear that, this is the best café in Westerfell.â I said, exchanging a look with Charlene before continuing âWe wonât take too much of your time, the thing is I was looking for a place to stay. A permanent place, it doesnât need to be big...â
Her eyebrow shot up and she looked me over. âWerenât you living with the soon-to-be beta?â
News indeed travelled fast.
âShe isnât anymore, we were hoping you knew of a place that would offer a room, you are always so knowledgeable.â Charlene smiled warmly, trying to divert the conversation away from Theon and I.
Just the mention of him made my heart squeeze with pain. Madam Marigold sighed as she sat back as if thinking, before she turned to me. âYou know with the upcoming ball many places are fully booked out. Even I donât have any rooms that I can give you full-time, however I have a friend who has made an inn down by the coast and yes, I know itâs a bit of a risky place, but itâs cheap, very easy on the eyes and itâs doing well. Besides, as long as you donât go down to the coast at night itâs fine.â She said briskly.
Charlene and I exchanged looks; I knew which place she meant, it had been getting constructed for a while now.
âItâs more catered for travellers, and since itâs on the outskirts itâs a bit more away from the hustle and bustle of the city. He is offering some permanent residency too and if I write you a letter, Iâm sure he will happily allow you to stay.â âCould you do that? I would be grateful.â I said feeling a little hopeful. âShould we not take a look first?â Charlene asked worriedly.
âNo itâs fine, Iâm sure itâll be perfect.â I replied, I just needed a place.
âWell then, you girls carry on enjoying your food and I will have it written up for you. I need to get back to work too!â
She stood up and we both thanked her for her time and effort before I looked at Charlene.
âI guess we could hire a cart to get my stuff down to the coast.â âI donât know Leyna, itâs not the safest place.â âItâs going to be fine. Trust me, I have faced sirens more than once and lived.â Charlene relaxed visibly. âYou know what? You are right, I think that in itself is one of the greatest achievements. If Dad knew, Iâm sure heâd want you guarding the coast!â She shook her head.
âBut seriously Yileyna, you do need to be careful if you live down there...â âIâll be fine, my queen, trust me.â I said as I picked up my mug of coffee. My smile faded, the reminder of Theon once more hitting me hard. I am done with you, and I pray the moon goddess gave me the strength to face you, to hold myself with strength and grace...
It was a while later and Zarian was finally free to leave. He had taken us to the staff quarters in the back of the café, where we wouldnât be overheard. Madam Marigold had given us a letter to show the inn owner, which at least sorted the first of our problems. Charlene and I now wondered where to start, and I took a deep breath after making him promise to not share this conversation with anyone else. âI take an oath on Etaar, themselves.â Zarian said placing a hand on his chest.
He was referring to the fae deity, a being that was neither male nor female but held such beauty that it was said that no mortal could look them in the eye. I nodded and taking a deep breath, I told him how I had recently felt a shift in myself after my eighteenth but rather than getting my wolf or anything, I told him about the two occurrences of power, leaving out the fact that it was actually Charleneâs whose abilities we had been trying to awaken the first time. Simply making it out as if it was performed to help awaken my wolf. Also how we assumed I was a hybrid and if he could help me train or at least fully awaken my abilities, or help to channel it.
âSo... I was wondering if you could help.â I finished.
âI donât think sheâs part mage... we think she may be part fae. Sheâs beautiful too.â Charlene finished as Zarian watched us with a small smile lingering on his lips.
âAs beautiful as she is, she is not fae.â
My stomach sank as he said those words. âAre you sure? She canât be a mage, because even before learning to use their abilities, they need to refer to the books of their elders... Her power is more elemental, she didnât-â Zarian raised a hand, cutting Charlene off. âThere are many races in this world of ours, Princess Charlene. I assure you, Yileyna is not of fae blood.â 1 âThen what could I be? If this is the fact that I need to show you proof of my powers, I can try. âI said, feeling as if I had once again hit a wall.
âYou need not prove anything to me, beautiful. I believe you, but I can only tell you that you are not fae.â He reached over and caressed my cheek. I pulled away, frowning at him as I watched him sharply. He chuckled, running his fingers through his hair. âI have... some theories, but they donât really make sense. Time will tell. As for training you, I donât see why not, if as you say itâs elemental, I can perhaps help somewhat...â He was watching me keenly, and I felt a little self-conscious under his gaze. âWhat do you enjoy?â
âEnjoy?â I asked warily. âYour preferences of day or night, land and sea, song or dance.â He said, as if it was obvious and I should know what he was talking about. I frowned slightly, thinking about his question, it was clear he wanted an answer. â Fae were sly creatures, and I knew I needed to answer properly.
âI prefer night... I love both land and sea yet I do love the freedom of the sea, the smell of the fresh sea breeze, and as for song or dance... I love to dance, yet I can sing well.â I answered, feeling as if there was some sort of a trick question in there. Even Charlene was scrutinising Zarian sharply. He smiled and nodded, tilting his head and letting his silky dark hair fall over his shoulder.
âNow tell me, my beautiful blond hybrid, what are the species of this world?â
âWerewolf, human, mage, fae, naga and siren.â I replied, âThey are the intelligent species.â His smile grew. âIndeed and what species is the weakness or fear of the other?â I glanced at Charlene confused. âThe Naga fear mages and sirens... the werewolvesâ greatest enemy are themselves or the sirens...â I mumbled feeling lost, I had never ever considered this. âThe mages fear the werewolves, correct?â Charlene added.
Zarian gave a nod, âCorrect, and the fae dislike the naga for they hold strong elemental power. Now, tell me, what race do the sirens fear the most?â
Me and Charlene exchanged looks, neither of us knew the answer. âFae.â Zarian said. I frowned.
âThat makes no sense, you said the naga fear sirens, and fae fear the naga...â I mumbled. âIt may not be common knowledge here in Astalion, since it is not a fae kingdom. However, the sirens song has no effect on a fae. We are the only species that are superior to them.â A wicked smile crossed his face and for a moment, he wasnât just the beautiful man we knew but a fae who knew exactly what his worth was.
I nodded slowly.
âThatâs incredible, considering how much damage they can do.â I said frowning, wondering where we were going with this.
âPerhaps... but every species has a weakness.â He gave me a dangerous smile as he took hold of my chin in his long slender fingers. âAnd that is why, I will agree to train you.â
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