The Woods

Chapter Thirty-Three

Get up, train, eat, sleep.

That was how the next week progressed. From the morning until the sun was low, Cain trained me to control my magic. By the day, I could feel and control it more than ever before. Even the few times when I wasn't training, I could still feel it; a thrum in my veins.

All the training made me wonder what Cain even had to do as king. Unless he worked after dinner, I never saw him do any . . . kingly things. It was only the way he held himself that reminded me of his status.

"You go to Maalik tomorrow."

Cain had decided to end my training early for the day, and we sat in an airy room, sipping cold tea. It tasted like mint and some other herb I couldn't recognise.

"Will you be there?" I asked. As much as I hated to admit it, I didn't want to go there alone. Having only met Maalik once, he was nothing but a stranger to me.

"Just to bring you," he replied, sipping his tea. "He insisted I would be doing nothing the whole time. Plus, I need to help prepare for the festival."

Festival? "Some other event like the dance?"

"Not quite." I waited for him to continue, trying not to fidget. "Every year, the faeries hold a festival to celebrate winter. Some superstitious origin. As their king, I need to attend."

"When is it?"

"Two days."

The day after I visited Maalik. Would I be able to attend? I knew the Woods was certainly dangerous, and even more so outside the castle's walls, but the thought of a festival made me curious.

As if reading my thoughts, he said, "The festival is in the evening." A half-answer. "As a mortal, you would no doubt be targeted. But knowing you are demi-Fae . . . If you are to go, stay by one of us. They might sense you are something different."

I nodded, a grin on my face. He seemed amused, but made no comment.

In the silence, my mind drifted to other thoughts. I hadn't seen Celaine or Drake all week. Perhaps they were busy wedding planning. I just hoped that after our conversation, Celaine was okay. Though everything happened when she was five, the wounds still seemed fresh.

"Is stunting magic . . . legal?"

Cain frowned, letting out a heavy breath. "I have tried to outlaw it many times, but it is impossible to stop people. By the time we realise what has happened, it's often too late to prevent it further." He hesitated before asking, "Celaine?"

I nodded. "It seems like such a cruel thing for a child to endure."

"I agree. Unfortunately, some of the Houses want their children to be obedient and unable to surpass them." He was silent for a few minutes, and I didn't know what to say. "I am very surprised your own magic didn't die out. But perhaps . . . when your mother cast the spell, perhaps she gave up her own magic to keep yours alive."

"That's possible?"

He chewed the inside of his cheek, frowning in thought. "A spell to block magic isn't difficult to cast. But for it to hold for years, your magic would need something to . . . feed on in your stead. Perhaps her magic kept yours alive."

"I suppose it would be difficult to catch one of the Fae," I added. Upon seeing his confused expression, I explained, "With no magic, it would've been harder for her to escape the humans when they caught her."

"Indeed," he murmured, frowning once more.

We slipped into silence once more, and I was grateful. My chest had tightened, and the pause had given me the time to slowly unwind it, shoving the unease away. My magic would now be another constant reminder of what I had. Nothing. Having left Delilah, I had no one.

"That isn't true." Cain's voice was gentle, but I still jolted with surprise. Had I spoken aloud? "You spoke through your mind unintentionally. But that's beside the point – even if you don't have your parents or friend, you have family here. Literal family, considering Drake, but . . . you are one of us."

My throat burned and I couldn't meet his eyes. "Thank you," I replied, the only words I could think of. I swallowed the burning in my throat and asked, "Can you teach me how to speak mind-to-mind?"

Seeming to realise I needed the subject to change, he offered a smile. "I suppose it is a necessary skill . . . or else you might accidentally let your thoughts slip." The sparkle in his eyes made me pale slightly – how much had I accidentally spoken?

"Do I want to know?" I dared to ask, earning a chuckle.

I wasn't sure whether to be glad or not when he ignored the question. "It is your magic that builds a bridge between the minds. If I were to continue the conversation, my magic would form another bridge to your mind. Unless you have some sort of defence around your mind, there is nothing stopping another person from speaking to you."

"And if I have no defence, can they . . . harm my mind?"

"No. Only through spells is that possible." He frowned in thought before continuing. "I'm going to speak, and I want you to see what my magic is doing."

I nodded, ready for him to speak, but I still jolted when he did.

It is a thread, he said, his lips tugging up at my reaction. It was so odd to hear him, even though his mouth remained closed. Stretch your own magic out to feel for my own.

So, as I had been doing all week, I sent my own magic out. Cain continued to talk so the bridge would stay in place, though I didn't hear him. After a few moments, I – or rather my magic – could feel the strand of his magic. Though I couldn't see it, I could feel its essence.

Good, now make your own bond.

Replicating something I couldn't see seemed impossible. My brow furrowed as I thought about how to do it, but I eventually decided to prod at his magic, to find out what it linked and how it was formed.

I ignored his amused expression as my magic felt the bridge, paying attention to how it twisted itself into a braid-like shape. By following the bridge's path, I found it linked our minds almost literally, as the ends connected our foreheads.

After a moment of thinking, I let out my magic, pursing my lips as I attempted, and failed, to replicate Cain's intricate braid.

The shape is not necessary. His voice cut through my thoughts, and I could almost hear his amusement. All you need to do is build a connection between our two minds. You can even use my strand as a . . . guide of sorts.

I nodded slightly, pulling out my magic once more. Even with the past week's training, connecting two specific points was challenging. I took his advice and wound my magic around the bridge he created, almost jumping as the connection was made.

It felt like something had zapped me.

I let out a hiss and Cain's chuckle echoed through my mind.

Well done, Cain said. Though I have never heard anyone hiss down this bond before.

You didn't warn me about a zap, I accused. He smirked, seemingly about to speak again, but I asked, How far can this reach?

There is no simple answer. As long as you are able to connect minds, it can go for far distances, but controlling magic from afar is challenging. All in practice.

I nodded, nibbling my lip as I thought. I wouldn't be able to communicate with him the next day, then. Well, I supposed I wouldn't be able to anyway; I couldn't even connect our minds without his help. But it was still disappointing.

As if he read my mind, Cain's bridge disappeared, leaving my own magic trembling with the effort of holding a connection. It took only a few moments for it to crumble.

"All in practice," Cain repeated aloud. He rose and set his glass on the table. "Come, we should head to dinner and then you need to rest."

With that, he turned to leave, giving me the option to follow. Without even thinking, I did.