Page 145 of The Fae Girl 1

“I know. We all know.” Uther stated.

“No you don’t.” He said. “That was not normal. What Alice did, that was not normal Fae magic.”

Alice frowned. “What do you mean?”

“The magic you drew, it came from a deeper source than any Fae’s I’ve encountered before.” Jelric said.

“Meaning?” Uther said.

“I don’t exactly know.” Jelric said hesitating, looking like he didn’t want to admit to something he already knew.

“Do you mean I’m not Fae?” Alice asked and it was hard not to hear the hope in her voice. As if that might help her. Might somehow save her. That my brother would relinquish his claim on her if that was the case.

“No, you’re definitely Fae, but you’re also different.” Jelric said.

“How?” Uther asked.

“Magic lore is very complicated and Fae Magic even more so.” He turned to look at Alice. “That magic you used, how did you draw it?”

“It was instinctual I guess.” She shrugged. “I could feel what the spectral was made of, it felt like the total opposite of me, like the antithesis of my magic so that’s what I drew up to destroy it.”

Jelric frowned again.

“What does it mean?” The High King asked.

Jelric shook his head confused.

“But you can find out?”

“I need time.” Jelric replied.

“We don’t have time.” Uther snapped.

“After today I’d say the Magars would be wary of making any sudden moves.” I said.

Alice looked up at me then. That fierce fury flashing in her eyes. Was it the leftover magic? Was it because of what I’d done? Because I’d kissed her and then pretended it hadn’t happened. Because I’d been too much of a coward to even show my face and had to ask Nela constantly how she was. If she was recovered.

She dropped her gaze as my brother spoke.

“Fine.” The High King said. “You two can go.” He said waving his hand to dismiss them. “And Alice.” he called as she followed Nela towards the door.

She turned to face him.

“You did good today.” He said.

She gave him a small, almost reluctant smile before bowing and leaving.

“I want to know what she is.” Uther growled as soon as the door shut.

“I will need to research it.” Jelric said.

“Whatever it takes.” Uther said.

“I will need to consult with the Santorium.” Jelric added and we both knew he was asking permission.

Internally I grumbled. Nosy bunch of codgers. Most of the Magi there were so old the cobwebs covered them more than the books in their archives. They only ever seemed to put themselves on the line when their own station was risked. And they certainly wouldn’t respond well to this. A Fae alone challenged them but Alice, the fact that she had more power, no, they’d seek to subdue her, to collar her, even, if they could.

Uther shook his head. “No. I don’t want word of it getting out. I don’t want anyone knowing…”

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