My breath ca in quick, uneven bursts. Sweat clung to my skin, and strands of damp hair stuck to my face. I blinked against the blurry ceiling above , trying to make sense of where I was.
The room was warm, and clean. Pale sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting gentle patterns across the wooden floor.
Voices, low and hurried footsteps, murmurs ca from the corners of the room. I turned my head slowly, and the motion made my vision swirl. Three fae healers stood by the door, whispering with furrowed brows and tense shoulders.
I looked down and realized I was clutching a black bracelet tightly in my hand.
The ache in my chest tightened.
I stared at the bracelet, tracing its edge with my thumb. White had given it to ... right before I passed out. I rembered the look in his eyes, the way he gently dropped it into my hand.
’What is going on with ? What does the bracelet an to ? Why could I only see an image of a man shoving the bracelet on the wrist of a woman? Why could I feel her emotions?... like it was happening to .’
My fingers clenched the bracelet tighter.
I looked up, frowning. White was not with . ’Is he hiding? But... This is not my room.’
My eyes darted to the door, expecting him to push it open and jump on the bed, and lick my face like he always does.
The thought hit harder than I expected.
He never left alone... not since the night I saved him from being taken to my uncle.
A pit ford in my stomach.
’Had sothing happened to him?’
"White..." I whispered to calm the storm beginning to build in my chest.
But he didn’t co.
I rubbed my temple, trying to ease the pounding in my head, but it didn’t help. I looked around again, my heart beating too fast, trying to ignore the growing sense of dread creeping up my spine.
’Was he hurt? Was he... gone?... or was he gone?’
Before I could spiral further, a soft knock sounded at the door.
I tensed, quickly hiding the bracelet under the thin blanket. My breath caught as the door creaked open.
Two fae healers stepped in. They bowed in greeting and walked over towards . The other three healers turned in surprise before bowing to greet .
One of the two healers held a vial of glowing purplish liquid in her hand.
"You’re awake," she said softly.
I nodded, eyeing the vial with suspicion.
The older one beside her stepped forward. "You collapsed from a sudden magical surge. Your body’s still stabilizing. And this dicine will help with the aftershock."
I was stunned. ’A magical surge? Does that an I have unlocked my powers? Could it be that I would be wanted by my family and I am no longer a misfit... Maybe they won’t marry off.’
I was glad but a part of knew it was too good to be true.
The healer holding the vial opened it, bringing it closer to my mouth. I moved back.
"Did you see White?" I asked quietly.
The younger healer blinked. "Who?"
I swallowed. "The wolf. White."
They exchanged a glance.
I sat up straighter. "He’s not here, is he?"
They had a stunned expression, looking at like I had hit my head on a stone.
I knew whatever happened... he wasn’t with now. And that ant sothing was wrong.
Just as I was about to press again, the door opened wider, and the two healers stepped aside.
King Zeir entered.
He wore a stoic expression, dressed in layered silver robes with golden thread running through the sleeves. He looked at , then at the healers. "Leave us."
They bowed and backed out silently.
Zeir didn’t speak for a while. He just walked slowly across the room and stopped by the far window, watching the sky like it was easier to talk to than .
"You scared everyone, you know," he said quietly.
I looked down at my hands. "I’m fine," I murmured.
"Clearly," he said nonchalantly. "Do you know what caused it?"
"No," I lied.
He turned to face . "The bracelet, perhaps?"
I froze. ’Is he also aware of the bracelet?’
His gaze dropped to my lap. I’d stuffed the bracelet under the blanket, but the faint shimr of its dark tal still peeked through.
"You don’t have to be afraid," he said. "I’m just trying to understand."
"I don’t rember anything," I said flatly. "It has beco blurry now, and my head hurts."
He stepped closer. "Blurry?"
I t his gaze. "Yes..." I paused, contemplating whether I should ask him about White. I bit my lower lip, then I parted my lips. "Did you see my wolf?"
’It was a dumb move I know.’
He didn’t react, not at first. But his jaw twitched slightly. "You an the creature that’s been following you?"
My eyes widened in shock. ’How did he know that White had been with ?’
"He’s not just a creature. White is his na." I snapped before I could stop myself.
Zeir raised a brow. "Interesting choice of words."
I bit down on my lip. I didn’t know why I was defending White, especially when I couldn’t explain what he really was to .
’What do you an you don’t know? He is my pet.’
"Where is he?" My fingers clutched the bed sheets.
Zeir sighed. "Do you even know what he is?"
My stomach twisted. "A wolf?" I tried not to roll my eyes at him.
"He’s dangerous, Aeris," Zeir said carefully. "Even if you don’t see it. Creatures like him... they don’t just appear for no reason. He has an agenda, Aeris."
I looked away. My heart skittered at his words. White the butterfly had also said the sa thing. But what is his agenda?
"I know you’re attached to him. But attachnts to things we don’t understand are dangerous."
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