Page 113 of Beyond the Faerie Gate

Drystan

Her lips part slightly in surprise when I meet her determined stare, even though it’s only for a second. Her aura sears my eyes—blinding me—but it’s easier to bear now that she’s exhausted. The physical exertion has dimmed it by the smallest fraction, and I frown through the pain because I’m determined to judge her reaction for myself.

“Necromancy.”

She doesn’t understand. Her lack of comprehension is plastered across her frowning face. Does she even know what the word means? Probably not.

Jaro evidently comes to the same conclusion, because he adds. “The unseelie ability to control the spirits of the dead.”

Her pale brows draw into a slight frown, and she cocks her head to one side.

“The women you’re talking to,” Kitarni broaches, edging closer to her. “They’re your grandmothers. The previous Nicnevins. You use their powers when they touch you, which is why you’ve been able to use so many different types of magic.”

Rose shakes her head in disbelief. “They’re not ghosts…”

Pinching the bridge of my nose because I just know she’s on completely the wrong track, I say, “Whatever humans believe about spirits is almost undoubtedly wrong, so no. They’re not ghosts.”

She turns her attention to a spot behind me, and I follow her gaze until I see Nicnevin Titania. The willowy woman nods, silently confirming everything Kitarni is saying.

Only then do Rose’s eyes start to widen with shocked realisation.

She trusts the dead more than the living. Great. That’s going to be problematic.

“But they can’t be related to me. I mean… have you seen them?” She presses the heel of her hand into her forehead as she immediately realises her blunder. “Okay, I suppose most of you haven’t seen them, but they look nothing alike! And none of them look anything like me. They don’t even act related.”

Kitarni nods. “It makes sense when you think about it. No Nicnevin lives long enough to see their daughter grow, let alone form a maternal bond with them. None of them met one another until they were dead.” She pauses, thoughtfully. “And as far as looks go, a Nicnevin is first and foremost the daughter of Danu. Your fae mother was just a vessel through which you came into the world. Your looks come from the Goddess, and she has many faces.”

If Rose finds the high priestess’s words logical, she doesn’t show it. Instead, she starts to pace.

“Then how come it’s only them?” she objects. “Why wouldn’t I have seen my mother, or my human parents, or heck—any other ghosts?”

“You haven’t summoned them,” Kitarni murmurs. “You said it yourself, Danu sent those three to you as guides. Seeing them is probably a passive ability that uses the smallest amount of your power. When you connect with the Goddess, you can command and use their gifts as you see fit.”

“So I could see more ghosts… spirits… if I tried?”

Kitarni bows her head. “Yes. Seeing beyond the veil will probably be one of the easiest parts of learning your gift.”

On Samhain, she probably won’t even need to try. It’s the one night of the year when the veil is thin, and even ordinary fae sometimes get a glimpse of the dead from the corners of their eyes.

I glance up again, wishing I could see what’s going on in Rose’s head.

Is she going to run?

Apparently not. But she does collapse against the bench behind her, almost sitting on her wings in the process.

“Is it… it’s a bad gift, right? It never felt like a bad thing to have them with me, but you’re all treating it like it is.”

All of us stand there in stunned silence, but it’s Bree who’s the first to move.

“There are no bad gifts.” His hoarse voice is getting slowly better, possibly thanks to her proximity. He may be doing his best not to draw from her, but Rose’s energy is so vast that it’s affecting him, anyway.

Even though I’m doing my best not to look directly at her, I see her light reaching for him every second they’re together. Tugging him closer. Refusing to allow him to stay on the periphery of her harem.

“So why are they all staying over there?” she whispers. “Is it because I’m too dangerous now?”

Ha! Dangerous? Her? Goddess, Rose seems almost incapable of harming others unless Danu herself forces her hand. It takes all my self-control not to snort at the idea of a dangerous Rose.

Like he’s been waiting for her permission, Jaro strides forward and picks her up. She lets out a tiny squeak of surprise, but doesn’t fight him as he settles her in his lap.

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