Page 167 of The Fae Girl 1

I nodded, bowing, not that he noticed, and left as quickly as I could.

We walked in silence. Even though Uther had told me to keep my mouth shut I wanted to know who this ‘Niseri’ was.

No, I needed to know.

If she was the person sending the spectrals then sooner or later I’d have to face her. Have to fight her. At the very least I needed to know what I was up against.

I made us detour, made us go find Jelric, only when we got to his study the Magi who answered told me he was gone.

That the High King had sent him on an errand.

Somehow I knew what he was up to. That he’d gone god knows where to find out why I was different. Why my magic was different.

The thought made me nervous. Scared too. I didn’t want to make myself more desirable to Uther. More useful. It would be better for me if I were useless. If my magic was inconsequential.

But as I glanced around at the people walking past I realised that was a selfish thought. A selfish want. They needed me to strong. They needed me to fight this Niseri person and whatever the hell she sent our way.

As my shoulders slumped, I thought of Fain. Of the fact he was gone, riding off to some castle, riding into danger. Maybe I should have asked to go to. Asked to help them. I doubt Uther would have said yes and I know Fain would have been furious at the suggestion. Furious that once again I was putting myself in danger.

It was a very fine line I was walking. Caught between the High King and the High Prince’s wants. Sooner or later it was going to bite me in the arse.

When we got back to our room Mira was there, flitting about, trying to distract herself from the fact that Ridley was gone too.

I sat with her, I taught her new songs on the stringlet and all the while I wanted to pull Indi and Nela to the side and interrogate them.

The afternoon dragged on into eternity. I had to catch myself from groaning with annoyance more times than I could count. It wasn’t that I wanted Mira gone, I just knew I couldn’t discuss such things with her. Besides, if she did know who Niseri was it would only make her panic more for Ridley.

As soon as she left that evening I cornered Indi and Nela.

“Who is Niseri?” I asked.

Indi went pale. Nela’s head whipped around to look at me.

“Where did you hear that name?” Nela asked.

“Today the High King had me interrogate a prisoner. He said Niseri is behind all these attacks. That she’s sending the spectrals.”

Indi shook her head slightly. “It can’t be.”

“Who is she?” I asked again.

“Niseri is dead.” Nela stated.

“Apparently not.”

She got up, paced the room, her fists clenched so tightly I was surprised she hadn’t drawn blood. “She’s a monster.”

“What has she done?” I asked.

“She started the Great War.” Nela replied.

I frowned. “That means nothing to me.” I hadn’t even heard of it. Jelric hadn’t even mentioned it.

“Sorry, I forget sometimes you’re not from here.” Nela muttered. “She was a Lesser King’s Magi and she convinced him to try to usurp the High King.”

“She tried to overthrow Uther?” I gasped.

“Yes, but it was almost fifteen years ago now. The tribes split, the kingdoms split. The Magi’s even split. Niseri offered the Magi’s freedoms the High King wouldn’t permit.”

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