"What happens when it does?" I ask.
Asher sighs. "What indeed? Old sins will be revisited, undoubtedly."
Madrid glares at him. "Ignore the vampire. When the Druid awakens, he will teach you how to master your magic and help you find the other three Spirits, so that we might unite the four corners of our kingdom once again."
Lightning flashes in the dark sky and hits the silver tree, filling it with light. I cover my eyes with my hand, squinting in the glow.
A hush falls over those who came to see this magic unfold. The tree groans, and the silver roots that covered the hollow begin to pull away, until a dark opening appears. Yami jumps to my shoulder and perches by my ear, nuzzling my neck and hair and purring. He too stares at the tree.
Asher sucks in his breath as the shape of a man forms against the shadows, stepping into the light.
He is dressed in white robes, his head bald and tattooed. His eyes are such a pale blue they are almost white.
He's beautiful. Mesmerizing.
He looks at us a moment, then stares at Asher.
"Hello, old friend," he says in a low voice.
"Hello, Varis."
Chapter 5
HIGH FAE
"But your blood is the most powerful, that of the High Fae, that of the royal line. You are heir to our lands, heir to Avakiri."
—Madrid
A buzz sweeps through the crowd, but rather than escalating, it moves in a wave as the Fae closest to us become quiet. The silence spreads, and all I hear is the shuffle of feet, the brush of fabric against skin, the subtle movements of hundreds of Fae pushing in closer to us.
Varis and Asher stare at each other, speaking more than words with the looks they exchange. They have history, that much is clear. And not all of it is good.
It's a reminder to me of just how long these people have lived. More lifetimes than I can imagine.
Yami perches on my shoulder, nuzzling against my neck, hiding under my hair as dozens of hands reach out for Varis. The Fae grip his robes, and a circle forms around him as the people who can't reach him touch those who can. Their numbers grows. All the Fae in sight grip the person in front of them, all connected to the man who walked out of the tree.
A flurry of wind picks up around us, carrying on it a new, spicy, scent. The darkness of night comes alive with a soft glow. It radiates from Varis and into the crowd, spreading, growing, until everyone glows silver.
"What's happening?" I ask Asher under my breath.
"He is a kind of god to them," Asher says. "The Old One. The Wild One. The Air Druid. He is sharing his power with his people to show he has truly awoken."
Madrid stands next to us. She touches the person in front of her, and her face glows. "You will inspire this reverence as well, Ari," she says softly. "When the Midnight Star is revealed, when you are presented to our people, you will become a god to them."
Her words weigh heavy on me as I am escorted back to my room by Asher. It seems the Fae will stand around the tree all night, and I need to rest for tomorrow, for training and presenting. I sit down on my bed, and Yami falls asleep curled around my neck. I rub his back as he snores into my ear. "I don't want to be a god to these people," I tell Asher, who sits in a silver chair.
He looks mildly amused. "Why ever not? Isn't that the ultimate elevation? To be worshiped by all?"
"Have you never paid attention to history? Mythology? Heroes only stay elevated for a time. Then their people turn on them and kill them. Mortal gods never live long in any stories I've ever heard," I say.
He frowns, his brow furrowing as he considers my words. "I can see why that wouldn't be optimal. But this is different. The Fae revere the High Fae and the Wild Ones. You are both. They wouldn't dream of turning on you." He stands to leave, promising to retrieve me in the morning for training.
"And what will I be learning?"
He shrugs. "It is for the Druid to decide." Before I can ask more, he leaves, closing the door behind him. He exchanges words with my guards, but I can't make out the what they are saying. Footsteps fade.
I uncoil Yami from my neck and place him on the pillow on my bed. He purrs softly in his sleep, seemingly happy, content.
I wish I could borrow some of that joy. Instead, I stand and walk over to the full-length mirror by my dresser. I slip off my gown and study my body. I still look like me in most ways. My body is the same. My face is the same. It is my hair and ears that make me something not human. I run a finger over my earlobe and to the pointed tip, exploring the new skin, new cartilage. I pull my hair out of its braids and study the deep blue that now shades the black. It sparkles under the moonlight streaming into my room, just like the ring that made Yami.