Junia's POV
"No, he is not unseelie," I argued. How did he even know that? I am not part unseelie; I am a seelie. A fairy of light and glamour.
Ashmaris didn't argue back; he seemed calm. "You saw it, didn't you? The shadow manipulation."
I knew what he was talking about. He didn't have to explain. My father had used shadow manipulation—only an unseelie or part unseelie can use that. I didn't want to believe it at first, but I couldn't deny it now.
I wasn't as pure as I thought.
"Years ago, the Shadowborn raised armies. They attacked the seelie kingdom," Ashmaris started. I hadn't heard of this one. Why was I unaware of all this?
"Then your father came to us and the unseelie to form alliances. My father was wary of him but still agreed, which made the king of the unseelie join the alliance," he continued.
"Why would my father want your help to fight a war? We have enough armies."
"Your magics are just light and illusion, and control of nature. Your healing magic even wears you out. Your armies wouldn't stand a chance against the Shadowborn," he replied. It sounded like our magic was a waste of time.
"How did my father get you, the dragons, and the unseelie to form alliances?" I asked.
"We are not enemies. We just don't relate. My father also agreed because your father betrothed you to me," he answered.
"And the unseelie?"
"If the Shadowborn finished with the seelie, they would come for the others. It is only wise to join allies and fight side by side against a potential enemy," he explained.
"How do you know I was your mate?"
"I saw you once, and I could feel it," he answered. How long had this man known me? I didn't even remember all this he had told me. We didn't have a record that explained the war.
"I don't remember any of this. I–I don't think it happened." My voice broke. I felt like Ashmaris was telling the truth, and I was in denial.
"I don't expect you to. Orion would have erased these memories."
"If I can't remember, our people should."
"You are undermining what your father can do—what a part unseelie and seelie can do. Do you know why seelie and unseelie don't want to mix?"
I shook my head.
"if you are born of seelie and unseelie, you would have the ability to create illusions and see people's memories just by touching them—more powerful than any other fairies." He paused. "And the seelie don't want this. They were scared these children would overcome them because of their abilities."
"We are not scared. Unseelie magic is dark," I defended. My mind was scrambled. If all he said was true, I was part of those unwanted children.
"But they are truthful. They don't hide what they are with deceitful smiles and glamour," Ashmaris said. Every word pricked me.
I started to realize it was true—we hide. From the world and from ourselves. We cannot show anger or frustration. I had never felt these emotions until I met Ashmaris.
I didn't even know I could get angry. That I could feel any other emotion except happiness.
"What happened after the war?" I gathered the courage to ask.
"Before the war ended, a prophecy came out. It scared your father. Once the war was over, my father gave him an ancient dragon heart as a sign of an external alliance, and he used it against us—created a shield to protect his perfect little kingdom."
"Is that why you used Valea? You broke his heart. He loved and trusted her!" I shouted. He did the same thing my father had done to them.
"My father also trusted your father, and what did he do? He broke a pact," he replied. He was too calm, and I was confused by all these revelations.
Scared that all I had believed in—my life—might just be an illusion.
"Why should I believe you?" I needed a reason to make sure all he had said was a lie, because he was the monster who destroyed my home and killed my husband.
"Because it is the truth."
"No."
"Take off the bracelet," he murmured. I frowned. He couldn't just command me.
"Why?"
"Have you tried taking it off before?" he asked.
"No, I haven't."
I glanced down at my wrists. I hadn't even tried to take them off before; it had never crossed my mind.
"If you try to take it off and you can't, you will believe me, and you will have to accept me as your mate." He sounded so sure of himself. He was trying to trap me.
"And if I can?"
"I will take you back home."
"No. I will kill you first," I told him and tugged at my bracelet. He didn't flinch or look scared—just that calm, unexpressionless face.
I tugged at the bracelet on my right wrist, but it didn't move. It felt like there was a force pulling it back—stronger than me. I didn't pull at the left one, but it turned out to be the same.
I pulled again, harder. Something stirred under my skin. I could see my veins turn dark, like shadows trying to seep out of me. I could feel something fighting them back. Pain shot through my body.
I suddenly felt weak; my knees wobbled as I fell to the ground, but Ashmaris was there to catch me.
He gathered me in his arms and lifted me up. Maybe he was right about everything.
Then my mind slipped into darkness.
˚✧˚
My head throbbed. My eyes were shut tight, and when I opened them, the light was too much.
I tried again, this time shielding my eyes with my hand, using the other to get myself to sit up.
"You are awake, finally," I heard an unfamiliar male voice.
I frowned and looked around. My eyes fell on a strange man. He was tall and wore different attire from the dragon.
He stepped forward. "Who are you?" I asked him.
He smiled. "I am Malrien—Ashmaris's closest friend," he introduced himself.
"Why are you here?"
"To look after you. Ashmaris said you have some shadow problem, which I am to solve," he said calmly.
"Are you a physician?"
"No, but close to," he replied.
The door burst open.
Ashmaris stepped inside; he looked like he had rushed here.
"Junia," Ashmaris called. His voice was soft and weak at the same time. His tone carried a trace of fear.
He looked worried. "How is she doing?" he asked Malrien.
"Fine. She is lucky it didn't consume her," Malrien replied.
"Are you okay?" Ashmaris asked quietly as he turned to me.
I nodded. Our eyes met. For a moment, I forgot he killed Solric and destroyed my home.
"This is Prince Malrien of the unseelie kingdom," Ashmaris introduced him officially.
"You lied," I turned to Malrien.
"I didn't want you to stress yourself, and a little dragon told me you are quite strong. I was just worried about my life," Malrien said. He assumed I would attack him if I knew he was unseelie. "I am sorry," he apologized.
Malrien excused himself. My eyes dropped to the bracelets around my wrists. I couldn't believe he was right.
"Why won't they come off?" My voice was barely a whisper. I hated the fact that he was right—that my father had sealed something in me. I hated the fact that my father had lied to me.
"They can. Malrien will help, but it can be dangerous," Ashmaris replied.
"I want them away from me."
I wanted to go away from here. I wanted answers—answers from my father.
"Malrien is ready when you are."