Page 89 of The Fae Girl 1

“Focus.” Jelric said not for the first time and I gritted my teeth before replying.

“I am focusing.” I muttered still not taking my eyes from the candle. A light smack to the back of the head made me look round. Now I realised why he was wearing gloves.

“If you were focusing properly the candle would be lit.” He remarked. “Besides you didn’t have a problem creating fire the other day.”

I cussed under my breath. It turned out Jelric was a complete taskmaster of a teacher and I’d already had enough of him.

“How many Fae have you taught?” I asked.

“Enough.”

“Liar.” I replied with a smirk. “They told me there haven’t been any Fae for over a hundred years. And you don’t look that old.”

“I think you’ll find they’re wrong.” He stated.

My jaw dropped in shock. “So there are other Fae?”

“Disappointed to learn you’re not the only one?” He asked.

“No, it’s just.” I bit my lip because I didn’t know how to articulate what I was thinking. “It’s just, if there are other Fae then how come the High King doesn’t have them?”

“That’s a discussion for a different day.” Jelric replied. “Perhaps once you light a few more candles I might reward you with the information.”

I rolled my eyes. “Fine, but once I have control of my powers what’s to stop me from using them to return to my own world?”

“You will never return to your own world. Once you have left, once you become Fae, you are stuck in this world. There is no return.” He replied.

“How? How is that possible?” I said turning in my seat to face him.

“Magic lore is very complex. We do not understand all of it but no Fae that has ever gotten to this world has then returned to their own.”

“So I’m stuck here?” I stated.

“Come what may.” He said. “So the sooner you start pleasing the High King with your studies the better it’ll be for you.” He patted me lightly on the top of my head like I was a dog.

I gritted my teeth choosing to ignore it as I turned back to face the candles. Jelric was a tough teacher but at least I was learning. At least I was starting to feel my magic, to use it, to become a real Fae and not just something that everyone seemed to be fighting over.

I closed my eyes and focused not on the candle and not even on the flame but the heat of it, the brightness of it, and I knew before I opened my eyes that the second candle was now lit.

“Better.” Jelric said.

Yeah, part of me was excited to be using my magic, to be actually channelling it but part of me felt like I was betraying myself, giving in, letting these people who had essentially kidnapped me win.

“What are you thinking?” Jelric asked narrowing his eyes.

I shrugged not wanting to admit it.

“I can see those clogs turning in your head girl.” Jelric said.

“I don’t know if I want to get better at this.” I said gesturing to the candles.

“Why would you not?” He asked.

“Because the more I do, the more I give in.” I said.

“You made a deal remember.” Jelric stated.

“I know, it’s just.” I shook my head. “It’s just you all think I’m some magical creature, and I guess you’ve already proven it, I’ve already proven it because I can do magic, but you’re keeping me here, locked up. No one’s even asked what I want? How I even feel.”

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