Page 52 of A Storm Rises

Awake…the horrors of the hunt and what she had done to Mateo flooded her mind and her heart. She could not avoid her painful acts or the reality of Lily admiring Mateo’s destruction at the hands of her devious big sister. It all fell on her like a crushing weight.

This time, she didn’t stop the tears. They flowed like a rapid and relentless river as she explained to Nia. “Mateo…” Her shoulders shook. “I stepped across first.” Her words were clogged. “He will die.” She cried harder, her words registering like a skipped stone on a calm pond. “Because…of…me.”

“There, there. My princess, it will be okay.” Nia patted Avalynn’s back.

Nia’s calm soothed her, but it triggered her as well. How would anything be okay again? Where were they anyway? Avalynn stepped back and wiped her face with the sleeves of a plain brown tunic. She didn’t recognize it. “Where am I?”

“In the Sublands—at Mateo’s home. This place belongs to his father, Manny Vela.”

“What?” Had a trickle of wind passed through the bedchamber, she would have fallen over. “Where?”

“There is much for me to tell you.” Nia handed her a small brown box. “But it is best if you go through this first.”

Avalynn blinked as she studied the intricate wooden box. Carved with leaves around the borders, it boasted a swirly and fancy ‘S’ etched in the middle. She wrapped her hands around it. “What is this?”

“You will see.” Nia left the room and closed the door behind her.

Avalynn lowered herself onto the bed’s edge. Stormshroud circled the room and then plopped on the floor. Her paws landed on Avalynn’s bare toes.

She ran her fingers over the smooth wood. She traced the raised letter and whispered to Stormy, “Should we be scared?” Surely the elaborate ‘S’ stood for Stromm. A gift perhaps? She trusted Nia completely. Still, the box made her uneasy. As if it contained dormant whispers of something ancient simply waiting to be awakened.

She drew in a deep breath, then blew it out nice and slow. She’d faced a dragon, a vicious swarm of Shadowbloods, and an elk stampede. She would face this wooden box.

She opened it. Inside she found a platinum necklace with a cross pendant like the one Mateo carried. She palmed it and removed the parchment underneath—a note addressed to My Love.

When you read this, know that your father and I love you more than life itself. I pray you accept this with peace and understanding in your heart. To appreciate your birthright, it’s important to start at the beginning. Before you were conceived.

At one time, there existed harmony between the fae realm and the human realm, with access to both realms made possible through shimmery portals. Over time, humans sought to conquer the fae, which culminated in the Great Shimmer War. But humans were no match for the fae.

The Great Shimmer War ended swiftly, and humans were branded as enemies. The Strongs, the ruling house of Faevenly, used a glamour to erase the war from human memory. They then stored every portal on Torch Lake and forbade their use henceforth.

Over time, there came to be twin princesses in the Strong family—ambitious Princess Malena and curious Princess Celyse… Celyse is your grandmother. Princess Celyse found a shimmer portal and peeked at the human realm, where she met Julio Avila… He is your grandfather.

When the courting season approached, Celyse hid her portal and ignored Julio, choosing duty over heart. Celyse later learned of a threat to humans involving the shimmers. Using her own, she crossed into the human realm, seeking Julio’s help in unraveling the mystery.

Celyse, Julio, and Julio’s best friend, Manny Vela, discovered one of the royal families was manipulating the shimmers in a way that would harm humans forever. Celyse, Julio, and Manny, along with allies from the Sublands, stood against this family and their evil witch, Draven. After many lives were lost, the Sublanders were victorious, and peace returned to Faevenly. The Sublands’ victory hinged on Julio’s blue energy power and his innate human witch abilities.

Celyse left Faevenly for a life with Julio, and their love blossomed into a daughter—me, Gabriela… I am your mother.

Your grandparents took me to Faevenly often. But when my life was threatened, we stopped going, and unease began spreading amongst the provinces. Draven’s evil returned to Faevenly, and your grandparents went missing. Every last Strong descendant, as well as the future of the Sublands, was at risk upon Draven’s return.

Leaf, Faevenly’s fiercest warrior, was sent to the human realm to protect me… He is your father.

Wielding my power, and with the help of a witch named Lady Sonia, I faced Draven and restored peace. This same power lives in you. Raw and unlimited, your power will always come forth in your times of need.

There are still those who seek to disturb the balance in Faevenly, and thus a lasting prophecy was born. Your prophecy.

In the twilight of transformation, there will arise like a mighty storm, one born of the union between realms. With a sword of blue in hand and the heart of a champion, this Only One will restore peace to Faevenly and forever unite the bloodlines.

There is great power in you, my love. Now the time has come for you to claim your destiny. Know that your father and I will always be with you. You will never be alone.

Avalynn’s hands shook like a feather in a windstorm. She dropped the cross and the note. Her gut clenched tight. She was not the person in this writing. She snatched the parchment from the floor and reread it. No way. This message was not meant for her. She bolted to her feet and jerked open the door.

Maid Nia came right away with raised brows. “Did you read the note?”

“Yes. This is not for me.” Avalynn slammed it back into the box. She carefully placed the cross on top and handed it back. “I am a Stromm—S-T-R-O-M-M—not a Strong. There’s been a mistake.”

“There is no mistake.” Nia patted Avalynn’s arm. “You are a Strong from Strong Haven.” She set the box on the bed. “Every single word in that note is true.”

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