A Clash Of Light And Thunder (War Of The Forgotten Lovers Book 1)

What Destiny Holds

Aria combed her fingers through Lily's golden locks as she slept. After a long trek through the Fae land, her hair was natty and rough, but that mattered little. Her Lily was here, lying in a narrow, crafted wooden bed.

She is safe now, Aria repeated, afraid that it was all an illusion and as soon she woke, Lily would be gone.

"Please l..let me go." Lily's blunt nails dug into the feather pillow she clung to for life. Through muffled cries, she called, "Aria, w...where are you?" Her chest rose and fell in a jagged rhythm.

Aria trailed the dried stream of salt crystals staining Lily's rosy cheeks. Her flower suffered so much in one night, and Aria wasn't there to protect her. Because she was preoccupied with mistaken notions of love.

A knot tied in Aria's throat, making it hard to breathe. Even now, she could feel him. His worries twisted in her gut like a fathom snake.

Aria squeezed her hand tight. Her nail nails pressed against her palm, threatening to break skin. The slight stabbing pain helped her mind fog enough to tune Elvin out. At this moment, there was one person that mattered, and she slept but an inch from her. She needed to focus on repairing the damage her broth— Leonor caused.

Aria leaned down and pressed her forehead against Lily's. Rustic hair cascaded down on the beige sheets as she graced her fingers against puffed, pink cheeks. "I promise I won't ever fail to protect you again."

Aria kissed Lily's temple. She sat upright and moved her hand over Lily's wrist. Red, purple finger-shaped bruises tainted the young princess' pale skin. Aria summoned her magic and wielded it to heal her sister. While before the light pricked her fingers before in protest as it fought the seal, now, her magic raged free.

White light washed over the purple marks, blurring them into Lily's wrist until they were no more. Yet, Lily's temple remained tense. Aria feared scars deeper than skin remained hidden from the eye. Marks beyond healing magic.

Elora cleared her throat by the bedroom entrance. "How is she?"

The general had better days. Her jaw clenched tight, and dark eyebags contrasted with her dark skin.

"Rest will do her well. As it will you." Aria stood from the bed and walked over to the fearsome commander. Like everyone else, Elora left that fortress with cracks littering her heart.

"The king awaits your presence."

Aria stared back at Lily's slumbering form. "I am sure he does." She knew it was a matter of time before she was called. She supposed she should at least be thankful that he gave her the courtesy of tending to her sister first.

"Elvin is petitioning for your sister to remain. If anyone can sway the king's mind, it's him."

He was telling the king much more than that. She could hear it when his emotions spiked, There is this connection we share, his thoughts would infiltrate her mind. I'll do as you please, but do not dare separate her from her sister.

She is destined for me. I will go to war for her if I need to.

Destined?

Aria walked to the dark brown door frame and admired the symbols and drawing Lia carved into the remade tree bark. A tree. A woman. And a fruit. "Thank you for letting Lily rest in Lia's room for now."

"Of course." Elora walked out into the main living room, where Lia sat swinging her short legs. "Lia, try not to disturb our guests. If she wakes, offer her some preserved food."

Lia's back straightened. "Understood." She pressed her tiny fist to her chest like a soldier receiving an order. Her eyes opened wide in wonder as she looked at the newly revealed half-fea. "Aria... now that your sister is here, does that mean you won't leave again?"