Unveiled

~ Chapter 13 ~

Naya's hands went straight to her ears and found that they no longer curved like that of a human, but they are pointy like that of a Fae. She brushed her tongue under her teeth and found two elongated canines. Xander was right. She is not human. She is a demi-Fae.

Naya thought that the bright blue light was Xander shifting, but it was actually she that shifted. She shuffled from one foot to the other, not knowing what to say. He looks her over and smiles, "Care to light the fire now?"

Naya shrugs and walks to the dead wood and stretches out her arms, palms up and concentrates. There is burst of orange light and the branches are caught alight. She slowly turns her hands over, observing them. She hears Xander, with her new sensitive Fae ears, approaching from behind and he sits on the log behind her. She turns around and sits next to him, resting her head in her hands.

"I assume that by the way you looked at me you didn't know that you where a demi-Fae."

"How did you know?" Naya asks, her voice muffled by her hands. He doesn't answer. "How did you know?" She asks louder this time removing her head from her hands. Tears starting to trickle down her face.

"Fae senses. I could smell the raw magic coming off, of you. That is why I kept a close eye on you. A kingdom where magical beings are forbidden and their princess IS a magical being. It was a little sceptical." She just nods and puts her head back in her palms. "No one knows, do they?" She shakes her head. "How long have you had these powers." She looks up at him again.

"I have known about them since I was eight. I was in the woods one day after princess training and I burst out crying, from frustration. I didn't want this life. I never did. I know people will always tell me how lucky I am and that they would kill to be like me." A hoarse laugh. "I mean why would I not be lucky. I have a perfect kingdom. I have a perfect family. But I didn't want this life. Al of a sudden, out of my frustration, my hands burst into flames. Most people would have screamed and be afraid of them. But not me. I embraced the flames and somehow they seemed to calm me down. I headed back to the castle and told no one."

"Not even your parents." She shakes her head. "Do you believe that your parents would have had you executed."

"No. They would do anything for me. I just didn't want them to bear that burden."

"Well, I guess the day after tomorrow we start with magic training. Just to make sure you don't burn down my castle or yours when you get home." She laughs softly and Xander smiles at the sound.