The Awakening

Chapter Thirty Seven

"Gods, you look terrible." The faintness in Jeera's voice snapped Avelon's senses to attention.

Since her arrival back at the palace, which she could not pinpoint to a specific day, she had been locked in a damp dungeon cell. Surprisingly, and much to her relief, the cell was not as humid as the air outside the palace.

She glanced down at herself, frowning miserably at the pale brown rags she was clothed with. Elha had given her the tunic and pants once she was thrown into the dungeon. Although she was grateful for the change of clothes, the colour was depressing- as much in Teine was.

"Thanks." She muttered, offering a forced response.

Jeera's eyes softened, and she offered Avelon a small smile. Something in Avelon's chest ached at the sight. She had no willpower left to offer Jeera any kindness, even though Jeera had been the first face she had seen since her arrival—besides Balor's and Elha's.

"I've heard the rumours of your escape," Jeera wrung her fingers, anxiety creeping into her voice. "And that Brianne didn't return with you."

Avelon's throat tightened at the mention of her name. She had pushed all thoughts of Brianne aside, refusing to give Balor any inkling of information about her whereabouts or involvement. She would not risk another one of her friends.

Brianne had left her behind—or at least, that was the story she had spun for Balor. Avelon met Jeera's eyes, which were filled with worry. Jeera cared for Brianne more than most friends did. Sighing deeply, Avelon rolled her shoulders.

"I left Brianne behind. She's safe," She said, closing her eyes, hoping and praying that no other Fae were around to overhear her confession.

"And what about you?" Jeera's voice shifted to something defensive, stirring a whirlwind of confusion within Avelon.

"What about me?" Avelon chuckled humourlessly.

She had spent what felt like days and nights inside the dungeon. During that time, Balor would occasionally visit her to try and pull information out of her, or Elha would come to retrieve her. Elha had ignored her entirely, refusing any form of communication. She had tried speaking to her, but it had been more effective talking to the wall.

"You sacrificed yourself and came back, but what about you? What's the plan here?" Jeera's tone remained defensive, a sharp edge to it. Avelon shook her head and flinched at the movement.

Balor's recent air whippings still burned on her body. He was deliberate with his punishments when he announced that she would regret escaping and refusing him information. She did have regret, it burned within her. Though she regretted being caught, not being found.

"The plan..." Avelon tasted the words, her gaze lifting to the roof of her dungeon cell. "Depends on how much you know."

She was not sure whether Brianne had shared everything with Jeera. Considering the wave of emotions that flickered across Jeera's face at the mention of Brianne, Avelon guessed she knew quite a lot. Brianne never mentioned any secret relationship, which sent a wave of unhappiness through her, but she could not entirely blame Brianne. She could use their relationship, if any, to her advantage. She needed to get out of the dungeon, but before that, she needed more information on Balor's plans—and on herself. To do all those things, she needed someone who was not locked in a dungeon cell. Jeera was more likely to help her if she had emotional ties to the situation.

She had to trace her lineage and figure out what was happening with her. She could wield air, an ability neither from her mother nor father. Who were possibly not even her own blood. And while she suspected it came from blood bending, she was not entirely certain. If the riddle was to be believed, her lineage played a crucial role in everything.