Fated Fae (Fractured Fae 1)

What I thought was an altar, is just a low stone circle. I’m flying blind, but take a chance and let the pull move me forward until I’m standing in the middle of the circle. The amount of power I felt before was overwhelming, so I sit yoga style on the platform before this power can knock me down. My guards stay on the ground outside of the structure and surround it in protective stances, giving me space to do what I need.

Okay Bella, you’ve got this. Just feel the magic like before and let Faerie talk to you.

Gah, I feel like a crazy person.

Taking a deep breath, I close my eyes and clear my mind. The ancient magic is strong and draws mine out easily, mixing together and dancing along my skin. It’s enticing and heady, and I want more of it. But if the painful show I had earlier was muted, I wasn’t about to play with it now. Instead I try to focus on the land around me, the feeling of Spring and Faerie itself.

Faerie answers the call, the old magic harsh and unstable. But through all that, I can feel the land’s pain. I know I have to do something to change this, however I can. The doubts about who I am fall away and are immediately replaced by determination.

Calling my magic forward, I focus on sending my magic into Faerie. This time I imagine the land healing, the balance restoring. It likely won’t touch the entirety of Faerie, but even if it gives a bit of relief, it’ll be worth it. The depths of my power are unknown, but I push. I throw every ounce of my stores into Faerie, never losing focus on healing her pain. Slowly my energy starts to ebb, but I don’t want to stop, the relief that starts coming through, too great. Eventually I feel myself slipping off of the stone circle I’m on, exhaustion stating to win. Apparently I pushed myself a bit too far, unable to stop myself from slamming into the stone below.

“Arabella!” Allwyn yells when he hears the thump of my body falling off of the bench.

“Did it work?” My voice is weak and wavering as he picks me up. Before I can even see if it’s had any effect, my vision goes black.

Jacob

The crowd that was previously waiting patiently for food is now getting worked up about something. I drop the spoon I’m using to stir on a plate and step out of the makeshift kitchen. At first I don’t see anything, but then I spot Allwyn carrying Bella in his arms. I don’t even think, I just run, trying to reach her as quickly as possible.

Please be okay, I need you Bells.

“What happened?” I scream when I’m close enough to be heard over the chaos. Allwyn doesn’t answer, he just tips his head to the side for me to follow. A fucking answer would be nice, you broody jerk!

After he passes through the doorway of the tent, I close it behind us and face him. “What happened?” I repeat through gritted teeth.

Please… Please test my patience a bit more. I could use something to let out my anger on. I may be cute, but I’m strong.

“I’m honestly unsure. She was at the point of power and was meditating, then she just fell over. I’m not sure if she knocked herself unconscious when she fell or she exerted too much magic at once.” He looks as freaked out as I feel, so I decide not to take my anger out on him… for now.

As she rests I watch her chest rise and fall. Her breathing is even and her coloring isn’t looking any more pale than usual, though with her new coloring it isn’t easy to tell.

“Will you stay with her? I need to finish cooking," I ask, as I give him a look of warning. Saying with my eyes, just how painful it will be if he hurts her in any way.

“I will always stay by her," he says in a serious tone, before sitting on the bed roll next to hers.

“Can I ask you a question?” I ask, giving him a curious look. He took to my best friend awfully fast, especially since he despised us at

first. Something about him just doesn’t sit well with me. He meets my gaze and nods.

“What are your intentions with her?” I asked bluntly. I’m not one for subtlety and despite my general outgoing and happy exterior, I protect my people, and Bella, she’s my person.

“I’m her personal guard, I’ll protect her with my life,” he says simply, like that answers my question at all. I forget sometimes, he doesn’t really understand subtlety.

“Okay, that’s clearly not what I mean. I’m well aware you are her self-appointed guard. I mean do you want to be with her?” I try again not to get annoyed. Breathe, Jacob. She’ll be pissed if you pummel her first real love interest.

“I’m her guard, of course I want to be near her. Imagine if I wasn’t when this happened,” he replies, clearly confused at what I’m saying. Holy shit, he can’t be this dense… right?

“Okay, let’s try this one more time.” I take a calming breath. “Do you want to be with her in a romantic sense? Be her boyfriend? Is that more clear?” His mouth drops open at my words and I see a slight blush in his cheeks and a flicker of unease in his eyes. That flicker is enough to make me not want him anywhere near her.

“Honestly? I want nothing more. It can’t happen though. She’s royalty, she needs to find someone who is equal to her station. That isn’t me. I’m not even near the same level as her.” I can see the vulnerability in his usually serious and guarded features, but I’m not convinced. Am I just being paranoid?

“We weren’t raised like that. She won’t care about stations. I’m just warning you now, if you try, you better be serious and you better not use her. She doesn’t need an asshole, she needs someone who boosts her confidence and helps her feel like the badass bitch she is. Is that you? If so then go for it. I’m feistier than I look though, don’t fucking hurt her," I warn with a hard gaze. He looks like he wants to laugh, then realizes I’m being serious. He nods his agreement and I leave him with his thoughts. I don’t give a fuck if he’s a trained warrior or guard… hell hath no fury like me when someone fucks with my bestie.

The entire way back to the kitchen I try to figure out Allwyn, but it’s useless. He’s like a fortress with his information, only dropping small bits when he sees fit. I just don’t trust that kind of behavior… it’s too close to Sam.

I’m half worried that the roasted vegetable dish I was making for dinner is burnt to a crisp now, but once I saw Bella, I just ran. At least it looks like someone had my back. As I walk back up, I see that Andras is stirring the vegetables at our makeshift brick oven.

“Thanks for keeping dinner from burning," I say as I step up next to him. He turns and flashes me a soft smile.