The Woods

Chapter Thirty-Five

Cain was waiting for me downstairs, standing next to Anwir, who didn't have his usual smile on his face. Rather, he seemed . . . irritated. Cain also seemed to be frowning, but more as if he were lost in thought. As soon as Anwir saw me, he plastered a grin on once more. It unsettled me.

I walked up to Cain and he said nothing as he led me outside, not even saying goodbye to the others. He held me tightly as he used his magic to bring us back to the castle. It was only when we arrived that he spoke.

"Do not be alarmed," he said quietly. It took me a moment to realise what he meant.

Most of the windows in the room were shattered; glittering fragments of glass scattered on the ground. I walked over to one of the windows, staring out into the gardens. It was overridden with thorns that choked the flowers and bushes. And behind those bushes . . .

My throat tightened and I turned away.

Blood was everywhere.

"What happened?" I asked.

"Someone attacked the castle," he replied, leading me away from the sight. "We don't know who it was, but they trashed some of the rooms, shattered the windows, and wrecked the gardens. Only the guards who tried to intervene were killed."

Who would even dare to go against the Fae? Was it the beginning of another uprising? Or perhaps it was just a few individuals trying to make a point. Either way . . . they managed to get past the guards and do some damage. The message would be loud and clear: they had power.

Eventually, we reached my room, where Cain was to leave me. I could only imagine the work he would have to do to fix everything.

"What did Maalik say?" he asked.

"Lord Cawther is to train me," I sighed.

He gave me a sympathetic look. "I have no words of comfort, unfortunately. But I will ask him not to be too harsh."

I muttered a thank you before he left me, and I found myself wondering what to do with myself. I would be of no use helping when with whatever they were doing – likely creating barriers or some sort of protection against future attacks.

"Fida." Lost in my thoughts, I looked up. Drake approached me from down the hall, offering me a tight smile. I tried and failed to return it. "Cain just told Father and I about your magic. He wants to see you in his study."

Lord Cawther wanted to see me? Why would he want to start my training so early? Or perhaps he just wanted to speak to me . . . either way, I dreaded seeing him.

Drake led me through the castle until we reached the halls decorated in blue and silver, eventually stopping at a set of dark doors.

"Good luck," he said. "I apologise for him. He was raised to act as he does."

At one point, I would have found the situation funny: usually roles would be reversed between parent and child. But after getting a glimpse into the Fae families, it was rather sad.

Drake gave me a final nod before leaving quickly, perhaps not wanting to face his father since the . . . display he put on when he proposed. I stared after him for a moment before knocking on the door, opening it when I heard Lord Cawther call me in.

The study was not at all what I expected. Where I prepared myself for a dark, ominous room, I found myself standing in a light, airy room with elegant furniture and stunning tapestries. I had to admit, the man had taste.

"Ah, thank you for coming." Lord Cawther sat behind a large desk that was piled with maps, paperwork, and a plate of biscuits. He waved for me to sit on a chair opposite him, and I did, waiting for him to speak. When it was clear he would not, I gave in and spoke first.

"So, why am I here?" I asked, trying to sound somewhat pleasant.

"Maalik has decided I am to teach you." He moved a stack of papers so he could lean his elbows against the desk. "You know, I was so sure the rumours were false. But it seems Ash did betray me. All these years, I thought she was just stupid enough to get herself killed."

Blind rage tore through me, but I bit my tongue to stop a response. A test. It was clear enough that he wanted to test me in some way. But why?

Slowly, I eased my glare into a cold but passive expression. "What did you expect? You hurt her for years."

He barked out a laugh, startling me. "You don't know what you're talking about, girl. You weren't there." I was about to snap a response, but he held up a hand to silence me. "Send your magic towards me with all the force you have."

He settled back in his chair, waiting. For a few moments I just glared at him, but knowing I needed him to help me, I obeyed. It took several seconds to gather the magic together, and with a breath of air, I shot it all towards him. In an instant, I felt his own magic beginning to suffocate my own, and the temperature slowly dropped. In mere moments, my magic was crushed.

The depth of his power was suffocating. When Cain first started to teach me to control my magic, I had been able to withstand his power for a few minutes. But Lord Cawther had crushed my own in mere seconds. Had Cain held back, or was Lord Cawther stronger? I was afraid to ask.

"Sloppy," he said, sipping from a cup of tea.

"Then show me what the Wolf House can do."

He stared at me silently, as if he was surprised at my demand. But slowly a small smile spread across his face and he nodded once.

The room was suddenly frozen, ice spreading to cover all the surfaces. My eyes widened as ice encased my feet, holding them to the floor. In front of me, my breath clouded in puffs of white.

"Does that satisfy your curiosity?" Lord Cawther looked bored, and I noticed that his own breath did not steam like my own. It was as if his cold nature matched his power enough for him to physically be so cold. His nonchalance was frightening.

I was quick to nod, the ice beginning to burn me with cold. He must've noticed my shivering, and with a wave of his hand, the ice disappeared. I savoured the sudden warmth, feeling small under his gaze.

"So, the Houses' magic is linked to the elements?" I asked, grateful my voice didn't shake.

"Not quite," he replied. "Only a few Houses use elements. The Wolf House uses ice, the Lion House uses fire. But there are other types of magic. For example, the Insect House, before it was destroyed, had magic centred around nature and life."

Interesting. "And the Fox House?"

He huffed out a laugh at my question, as if it was obvious. "The Fox House isn't linked like the rest of us. Why do you think His Majesty cannot train you? Being king, he cannot be linked to one power. It would be a burden of sorts."

I supposed he had a point. One type of power would always have its weaknesses along with its strengths. So, to have a different essence of power altogether . . . it would certainly have its benefits if another House challenged them for the throne.

"From what I have been told," Lord Cawther continued, "you have been taught some of our history. For you to learn magic, you need to learn more about the Wolf House and magic within Houses in general. I will have books delivered to you this evening, and you will begin studying tomorrow morning." When I said nothing, he narrowed his eyes. "Is that clear?"

"Yes," I said quickly.

"Good. I will see you early tomorrow."

With that, he dismissed me, and I quickly slipped from the room. I had to admit, he was downright terrifying. Though he didn't have the fiery tempter of Lord Benroy, he was cold. Cold enough to match the magic he possessed.

I just hoped that learning said magic would not make me the same way.