Page 118 of Whispers of the Elderoak

“What are you angry about?” he asked.

She turned and met his eyes. “Everything. But I think I’m mostly angry at my mother and that makes me feel horrible.”

“Why?”

“Because she never told me any of this,” she exclaimed, words now spilling out. “Not once did she tell me who I was. Who she was. She never explained her magic. Never told meanything.” The reality of her circumstances weighed on her heavily as she continued to vent. “I was a normal, boring human just a couple of months ago. And now? In a matter of weeks everything changed.Everything. I’m some long-lost princess fated to save a whole realm. It’s insane.”

Raine nodded. “You’re right. It is.”

She couldn’t stop as she continued her rant. “And now I have to train with the general who hates me. I don’t even know how to fight. I’m not strong. I’m going to embarrass myself in front of all of you.” She turned toward him. “I don’t think I can do this.”

“Listen,” he responded, voice serious. “First of all, Cas doesn’t hate you. He lost his whole family in the war and he’s just being an asshole right now. Second, you aren’t doing this alone. We’ll help you. And we know you don’t know how to fight. We’re going to teach you everything you need to know.” He turned in his chair and leaned forward, gaze intense. “You can do this.”

“I’m scared,” she whispered.

“Good,” he answered. “Use that fear and channel it into determination.” He scrutinized her face and paused, seemingto consider whether he should continue. “You know I can sense things.”

She nodded.

“I can already sense your power,” he said quietly. “And you aren’t even fully fae yet.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means that you’re going to be strong,” he replied.

She broke his stare and leaned her head back, closing her eyes. “That’s terrifying.”

He laughed. “I guess so. But it’s also amazing.”

She glanced at him. “You know… you’re kind of scary when you’re serious.”

He laughed harder. “So I’ve been told. Don’t worry, it doesn’t happen often, dainty human.”

“Dainty human?”

“It’s your nickname.” He shrugged.

Ava rolled her eyes. “Why?”

He smiled widely, humor in his eyes. “Because it irritates you and it’s funny.”

“Well, you won’t be able to call me that forever.”

“I’ll think of something even better when you’re fae.”

“Great.” She laughed quietly.

Raine rose from his seat. “I must be going. Duty calls and all that.”

“Raine?” Ava asked. He paused and looked down at her. “Thank you.”

He gave her a broad smile and ruffled her hair.

“Any time,” he said as he left her bedroom.

Ava remained on the balcony for the remainder of the evening, pondering over what Raine had said. She felt bad for exploding at Casimir, knowing he must have been through horrors she couldn’t even dream of in the war. She hadn’t been able to control herself when she caught him glaring at her with so much ire. She was so angry.

But anger’s real name was grief.

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