I must have fallen asleep again, hushed voices stirred me from sleep. My eyes wrestled against the soft glow of morning light spilling from the high-arched windows. Aeris was no longer slumped in the chair beside me. Instead, she was standing at the door, whispering urgently to someone I couldn’t see.


    I pushed myself upright, rubbing the sleep from my eyes just as she turned back toward me, her expression a blurred mixture of relief and tension.


    “Caden! You’re awake!”


    I blinked the last traces of sleep away. “H-hey you.”


    She dove onto the bed, wrapping her hands around me and pulling me into her embrace.


    “We were so worried!” she said, her mouth muffled as her head pressed into my shoulder.


    I sat still for a moment, my body aching from Ceryndor’s hellish training. After everything that had just happened, this was exactly what I needed.


    “Sorry, I must have overworked myself.” I finally spoke up.


    Aeris lingered before pulling back, her eyes glistened as if holding back tears.


    “I’m fine now, just a bit sore,” I added to try and ease her concern.


    She smiled in response, looking me over before nodding her head.


    “Well, start looking after yourself. The fate of the world is in our hands,” she teased.


    I exhaled, stifling an involuntary chuckle. If my dream was to be believed, then she might not be far from the truth.


    “What was that about?” I asked, nodding at the door.


    Aeris’ eyes widened as if she had forgotten something important. “Oh! My grandmother asked to see me about our mission. I’ll wait outside, sorry, hurry up and get dressed.” she clambered off of the bed, adjusting her disheveled tunic and she went to wait in the hallway. “You’ll be a nice surprise!” she added on her way out.


    I forced myself to my feet, my muscles were still aching. As I changed into a fresh tunic, I examined my body in the reflection of the window. My muscle tone had become much more refined, noticeably so compared to the previous morning.


    That wasn’t all, the ancient power now rooted within me had intertwined itself with my mana seamlessly. I had to focus to tell the two forces apart, but my mana felt denser. I felt powerful.


    Had I really changed this much overnight?


    We made our way through the halls of the palace, Aeris caught me up to speed. After I had collapsed she and one of the Winter Court recruits carried me back to my room. One of the healers had looked me over and complained to Ceryndor that he had worked me to my bone, but it was nothing a long sleep couldn’t fix.


    “I could have sworn your eyes turned grey,” Aeris said as she led us towards the Queen’s audience chamber. “But when the healer looked you over, she said you had collapsed from exhaustion.”


    Despite the beauty of the palace - the walls that shimmered as if they reflected starlight even in the day - I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong.


    “She’s not usually this abrupt,” Aeris muttered to herself. “If she’s summoning me this urgently, something must have changed.”


    I didn’t answer, but I couldn’t help feeling uneasy. I had spent every moment since we got here preparing for the mission to Duskfang Mountains, but I had assumed we had more time. Now, the sensation of unease coiled in my stomach. Was it connected to the figure in my dream?


    A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    The doors to the Queen’s chambers parted before us, opening into a room bathed in warm light. The Queen was sat at a desk, reading through papers and tracing her finger along a sprawled out map. Her piercing golden eyes settled on us the moment we stepped inside. Her chamber was empty, with the exception of the royal guards stationed at the walls.


    Aeris lowered her head in a shallow bow, though I could feel her tension. I followed Aeris’ gesture, keeping my eyes level as the Queen spoke.


    “There has been a change of places,” she said firmly. “You must depart for the Duskfang Mountains immediately.”


    Aeris raised her head. “Immediately? Caden still needs-”


    “There is no time,” the Queen interjected. “Recent events are forcing our hand. You will leave by first light.”


    I could feel my stomach twisting in knots. Was I really ready? There was a lot depending on this mission and I thought I had more time.


    Aeris’ brow furrowed, but she didn’t argue further. However I had to ask, “Recent events concerning the mountains?”


    The Queen regarded me for a drawn out moment before answering. “A member of the autumn court had a premonition. Disturbances are growing with each passing night. I had hoped to grant you more time to prepare, but delays may begin to cost us more than we can afford.”


    I felt the weight of her words and a sense of responsibility. I wasn’t a commander or a strategist, but I could see the potential risks if we continued to delay on my behalf.


    Before I could fully process my trail of thought, the Queen continued. “There is something else I need to discuss with you both.”


    She straightened up, no longer giving the map on her desk any attention as she focused on us both. “I have made progress in reconnecting with the humans. A select number of Fey will be permitted to study within one of their most prestigious magic academies, Aeris will be among the first to attend.”


    Silence filled the chamber.


    Aeris looked dumbfounded. “You’re sending me away?” Her voice wavered, caught somewhere between disbelief and sadness. “Why?”


    “It is an opportunity,” the Queen replied calmly. “It is a place of great learning, I have been informed many of the human’s most renowned mages started their journeys there.”


    The Queen paused, gauging her granddaughter''s reaction.


    “And I would like to ask that you join her, Caden,” she focused on me, her eyes piercing into my soul as she examined me again. “On behalf of the Fey.”


    “But I’m human.” I glanced at Aeris and then back to the Queen.


    The Queen smiled softly, nodding her head. “Indeed. But admittedly I had this in mind when I invited you to stay with us. To help repair our relations with your people.”


    “And my granddaughter seems to have taken a liking to you.” she added nonchalantly.


    I could feel the heat radiating from Aeris beside me. I couldn’t tell if it was rage or embarrassment, but the thought of her being flustered made me smile.


    “I do not expect an answer now,” the Queen said. “Complete your mission. We can discuss the academy further when you return safely.”


    I found it difficult to look directly at Aeris, but I could see her bowing her head from the corner of my eye. I mimicked her gesture before we both stepped away from the chamber.


    We walked silently down the halls, my mind was spinning. The journey to the mountains was no longer something we could ease into - we were being thrown in headfirst. And after that, we were expected to start going to school? I had barely begun to understand this world I had been introduced to, how was I going to sit in a classroom with snotty nobles?


    Aeris finally broke the silence. “So… First you get sent on a dangerous mission, then you’re supposed to help represent all Fey when we get back? I’m sorry Caden, if I had known that night in the forest… I wouldn’t have let you escort me home.”


    I let out a short laugh despite my own hesitations. “Don’t worry about it, it could always be worse.”


    She turned to look at me curiously, as if to say how could it be any worse than a life threatening mission.


    “She could have called you in to announce your engagement to a troll” I teased.


    Aeris sniggered at the thought, rubbing the back of her neck. “I would prefer the mission.”


    I smirked, this was it. It was time to make our final preparations. We were leaving for the Duskfang Mountains tonight.