The Last Daughter of Elysia

Chapter 4

A cool breeze swirled, wafting the intoxicating smell of hyacinth. Soft footsteps made Morgana turn. Shock bolted through her at the sight of Prince Caliath stepping out of the castle's shadow. A lock of dark hair framed his brow and his crown glinted in the moonlight. Caliath's fine suit blended into the night as if it were made of shadow.

"Are you okay?" His eyes were so filled with concern that Morgana felt a lump rise in her throat. All the adrenalin from the attack leaked out of her and she burst into tears. Warm strong arms enveloped her. "It's okay. They can't hurt you now," Caliath whispered.

Even though Caliath was a stranger, he was the only fae, besides Damon, to have ever stood up for her. This made her cry even more. He stroked her hair until her tears stopped and embarrassment crept in.

Morgana was crying in a fae's arms.

And not just any fae's arms.

The Aeperian Prince's arms.

Morgana took a hasty step back, and wiped her tears, mouth dropping open in mortification at the damp patch on his chest. "I'm sorry, Your Highness, for my emotional state and for your suit."

"It's fine." He gave her a small smile. The moonlight gave his face an ethereal quality.

Morgana's cheeks flushed as she tried to curtsey and winced, the wound in her belly dripped blood.

Caliath's brow furrowed, and he pulled a pale handkerchief from his pocket. "May I?"

Morgana stared at him, then gave a small nod.

He knelt and Caliath gently placed the handkerchief over the stinging wound. Morgana's stomach squirmed. He was royal and tending to her as if he were a servant. What in the Goddess was happening?

She lifted her hands and inspected her palms, expecting to find burnt skin but all was fine. How did fire come out of her hands? Was it the magic of Elysia leaking out of her? Did the magic of the ceremony weaken the elixir? Was she now closer to death? A wave of dizziness made her sway.

Caliath's free hand went to her hip and steadied her. "Are you alright? You should sit down."

"I'm fine."

His hand lingered and Morgana became hyperaware of how warm it was. Caliath blinked and removed his hand as if he'd noticed the shift in Morgana's demeanor. He silently dabbed her wound.

Morgana looked up at the stars and tried to quell the rising hysteria. After the ceremony and the attack from her bullies, she'd been exposed to too much magic. How long would she have till the magic ate her mind and tore her apart?

Morgana watched Caliath for a moment. She blurted, "Why did you save me?"

"You seemed terrified in the ballroom."

Morgana recalled that moment, how Elvenia's poisoned words had killed any hope she'd had, the Aeperians hate humans.

"I saw you headbutt one of them. I wanted to make sure you were safe."

A heavy silence followed where Morgana's mind raced. "Why would you bother? I'm a human, you're fae."

Caliath's hand paused. "Not all fae think humans are beneath them."

Morgana blinked, trying to let that sink in. But she thought of all her textbooks and everything she'd been taught her whole life about how bad the Aeperians were. How they were witch-sympathizers on the wrong side of the war and how they were known to cause more crimes than Golights, the citizens of Golah Court.

"Really? Do you know other humans? Is that why you're so kind to me?"

"No. But I don't think anyone should be treated differently just because of their species."

Morgana blinked, wondering whether to believe him or not. "Not a lot of fae share your sentiment."

"I know."

"Especially the aristocracy. They think they're better than everyone."

"They're more powerful than everyone, but certainly not better. Sometimes, I believe them to be the worst of us."

Morgana tried to hide her surprise. "I've never heard a fae say that. Let alone a royal one who is part of the aristocracy."

Caliath silently dabbed her wound.

"I didn't expect someone like you to be this way."

"What did you expect me to be like?" He gave her a grin so warm that Morgana was temporarily disarmed. It was like looking at a beautiful painting.

"You're Aeperian, so I thought you'd be cruel."

Prince Caliath gently took Morgana's hand and placed it over the handkerchief. Her skin was warm from where he'd touched it, then he stood up.

"We're not all bad."

"I can see that." Morgana's palms grew sweaty. "Thank you. My family will be so grateful that you helped save me."

At that, Caliath's lips pursed, and he looked at the ground. "Can I ask a strange favor of you?"

Foreboding pooled into Morgana's stomach like oil.

There it was.

The real reason he'd saved her.

Caliath probably didn't care for humans at all but rather did this so he could get something in return, perhaps a favor from the Golah family? Morgana tried to hide her disappointment. She should've known. He was a fae after all. An Aeperian fae.

An uncomfortable silence passed between them, then she hitched her lips into a smile. "Of course, Your Highness. What is the favor you ask of me?"