The Last Daughter of Elysia

Chapter 33

The moon was nestled in a starry sky when Morgana and Aelys stepped out of Briar's cottage. A warm wind rustled the garden, wafting the sweet scent of fresh greens, as buttery light spilled from the open doorway.

"We'll keep in touch," Morgana said to Briar. "I think it's best if we leave the grimoire here for now."

"I'll keep it safe for you," Briar said.

"And we'll begin my training after the Autumn Ball."

"Of course. I look forward to it." Briar gave a small bow.

Aelys and Morgana waved their farewells and left Briar's cottage. They walked down a path that branched off towards the village, Mist Fields, and woods. The distant lights of the village twinkled, and the darkened woods whispered. Sprites and fireflies wove through the trees, and the grass rippled with will-o'-the-wisps bobbing into the Mist Fields.

"Well, that was awful." Aelys pulled her hood up.

"Yes, it was a lot." Morgana didn't think Erik and Damon's betrayal was something she could ever forgive. "I think we should go through the Mist Fields."

"Good idea, that way no one will see us. Don't ever follow the will-o'-the-wisps, no matter what you hear or see."

"I know." Ever since Morgana was a child, she'd been schooled to never follow the will-o'-the-wisps lest they lured her to a horrible death.

They turned onto a path that went over a grassy hill and into a wall of thick mist that blanketed the fields for miles. Lights drifted through the grey, as laughter and a haunting melody echoed distantly.

"Have you ever been here during the night?" Aelys turned to Morgana, a strand of golden hair blowing across her cheek.

"No."

"Good. It is a dangerous place. Some fae and faeries have been lost to the Mist Fields for years."

"Do they ever find their way out?"

"I don't know." Aelys shrugged. "Just make sure you don't stray off the path."

They walked on as the mist swallowed them like some great beast devouring its next meal. Morgana ignored the music and the strange sounds as the mist dampened her skin, cool, and thick. It smelled of morning, of the point before daybreak when anything was possible. A distant scream made her jump.

"It's okay." Aelys looped her arm through Morgana's arm.

Morgana's heart thundered. She felt as if she was being watched, as if the mist were alive. It curled around her legs, like a cat trying to coax her off the path.

"Shoo." Aelys sent a gust of air magic at Morgana's legs and the mist disappeared.

"Thanks."

"You should try it."

"What?"

"Clear the path with your magic. Try using air."

Morgana gulped. "Not sure I'm up for that."

"No better time like the present to start your training." Aelys gave her a pointed look. "It's the little things, Morgana. The more you use it, the stronger you'll get."

"Alright." Morgana stared at the misty path ahead and summoned the element air. The hair on her arms prickled as it swept over her, cool and refreshing like a breeze from the top of a mountain. She raised a hand and sent a strong gust that cleared the path of mist.

Aelys beamed at her, and Morgana grinned. "I did it."

They walked on for a bit, mulling over what they'd witnessed at Briar's house.