Neeri opened her eyes to unfamiliar but beautiful surroundings. She had been placed on a soft bed with an abundance of plump, cushy pillows. Someone had removed her boots and spread a thin blanket over her feet. She thought she could guess who.

The same male who was currently muttering over the contents of a tray of food. His back was turned to her and she guessed he hadn't noticed she was awake yet. Neeri drew a deep breath, picking apart the scents that filled the room.

Her own and Arlon's were the strongest, but there was a hint of Gaelen and Morana's. Neeri smoothed tangled black curls out of her face and sat up. The sound caught Arlon's attention and he glanced over his shoulder.

"You slept all through the night," he reported. "Your companion stopped in to check on you this morning along with Morana, but they had to go to another meeting with the Elders."

"Have you been here the whole time?" Neeri asked. Her voice sounded stronger than it had before, almost identical to the voice she'd heard in her memories. Memories that she could now summon with half a thought.

"Rehema bade me to stay, so I did."

Neeri swung her legs over the side of the bed and rose carefully. When she was certain she could stand without falling over, she made her way to the table and claimed a seat across from Arlon. The male watched her quietly while she served herself a hearty helping of everything and dug in.

She relished each bite. It had been so long since she ate rich, steaming food. She'd survived on blood alone in Ophir. "What is the Prince like?" Arlon asked when she paused to take a drink of freshly squeezed orange juice.

Neeri lowered her gaze to her lap, thinking once more of the male now trapped in a tomb. "I don't know. I was only near him just before he was locked away in a tomb. But...I remember seeing him soon after I was Corrupted. Astaroth hurt him and the scent of his blood sent me into a frenzy."

She glanced at Arlon as the male crossed an ankle over his knee. He rested an elbow on the table, bracing his chin atop his fist. He didn't seem overly interested in her, just observant. Neeri pursed her lips.

If she had nothing of interest to say, this male might leave, and she didn't want to be alone just yet. She didn't want the thoughts that would come with the silence of solitude. She'd had enough of that to last her a lifetime.

"I think he must be very brave though," she found herself saying. "To go through what he has, and not for the first time, all to protect Morana and give Asterria a chance to rise again. I don't know of anyone else who could do that. I'd say that alone is reason enough for him to be our Prince."

"What about his Corruption?" Arlon asked.

"What about it?" Neeri sat up straighter, feeding a hard glint into her eyes. "People like me need someone to look up to. Someone who isn't an evil monster that preys on others. We didn't have any say in becoming these...things, any more than the Prince did. But he is proof that we are not evil."

"If we were evil, we wouldn't be capable of love, but I could see that he loves Morana. I think she loves him too." Her reaction to the terrible news Gaelen brought had been proof enough.

"I never said all of you were evil, or monsters."

"Then what is your insinuation?"

Arlon tilted his head, hooded blue eyes scanning her own. "My parents were killed by Astaroth's Angel, who I've just learned is also the Prince. My father was a powerful Shifter and a survivor from the Ash War, and my mother was gifted with abilities like mine."

"What is your gift, exactly? It didn't make sense to me yesterday," Neeri cut in.

The male eyed her for a moment before deigning to answer. "Essentially, I can draw a person's consciousness outside of their own minds. It's like picking up a rock from a riverbed. The rock is the consciousness and the riverbed the mind. Aside from that, I can extend some influence on another's thoughts and actions."

"Is it dangerous?"

His mouth curled into a smirk. "Of course. Removing the consciousness from the mind removes all protection around it, and my influence is very difficult to escape. Had I wished to, I could've made you do or say anything, or I could've crushed your unprotected consciousness, killing you instantly."

"No wonder Astaroth wanted your mother."

"Yes, no wonder. May I continue now?" Neeri nodded, though she was unsure of where his story was leading them. "Astaroth tried to have them both captured and Corrupted multiple times, but when the Prince came, he just slaughtered them."

"I had been hidden in a compartment beneath the floorboards when it happened. I heard my mother's screams. Felt my father's blood pour over my face as it seeped through the cracks in the floor."

"How old were you?" Neeri couldn't help but ask.

"Only five years." Her lips parted in surprise and horror. Arlon carried on, ignoring her reaction. "The scent of their blood and fear is what saved me, I think. It smothered my own scent so well that Rehema almost couldn't find me when she came to investigate."

"She was a distant relative of my mother, and saw my parents' fates in a vision. It also showed her that I was still alive. I owe my life to her, and I want to make sure that trusting the Prince won't be a mistake that leads to her death."

"I can't give you that assurance. I don't think anyone can."

"Can you assure me that Gaelen is to be trusted?" His gaze darkened. "His scent covers you like you're a possession."

"I am not his possession," she answered without hesitation. "I am not his in any way. But you can trust him. He is the only reason I survived my own captivity. He protected me in what ways he could and everything he's doing now, he is doing for the Prince."

"Hm." Arlon rose and pulled an empty glass goblet towards himself.

Neeri jerked her gaze away, squeezing her eyes as he raised a knife to his wrist and the scent of blood filled the air. She didn't open her eyes until he cleared his throat. Neeri gulped, eyeing the cloth napkin he had tied over his wound, staunching the blood flow. She drew a sharp breath as he pushed the glass over to her.

"You didn't have to," she whispered.

"There is more brown in your eyes than red, and I'm afraid you won't find very many people here willing to share their blood with you." Arlon bent until their gazes met. "And I will not let your fangs anywhere near Rehema or the Phoenix, even if they offer themselves, until I know you can be trusted not to hurt them, accidental or otherwise."

Neeri gave a slow nod. "Thank you." Her hand closed around the goblet. "For protecting my friend, and for helping me."

Arlon merely gave a dip of his chin. "Wait here when you're finished. Rehema arranged for someone to find you a change of clothes. I'll see if they're ready." He strode out of the room before she could reply.

Neeri waited until his footsteps receded, then lifted the glass to her lips. It wasn't god-blood like what she scented within Morana and the Prince, or the watery blood of Humans. It was different from ordinary Fae though. Something about it tasted older and stronger.

Perhaps it was his unique gifts and whatever secrets lay in his lineage, or perhaps that was just the reflection of himself left within his blood. Either way, it only left her appetite sated in one aspect. Her curiosity remained thirsty for more.

•༻☽☾༺•

When Morana arrived at the meeting, she didn't let the stares of the Elders unnerve her or sway her focus. She'd spent the entire night scheming, and today, she would tell them her plan that would save or doom them once and for all.

She stood before them with Gaelen and Lonan at her back, and her two immortal weapons sheathed at her hips. All symbols of her power. All symbols of how she would unite them. "We will attack in two locations," Morana began.

"Gaelen's loyal Fae and any who choose to accompany them will go to the Isle of Lorn and capture it, drawing Astaroth's nearest forces back there. That will leave him with fewer to counter our attack at Durga's How. Those who follow me to the How will keep Astaroth's remaining forces occupied while I seek him out."

Morana drew a heavy breath. "I will keep Astaroth distracted while someone locates Tarion. I don't believe for a moment that he won't be brought to this battle. My father," she said, glancing at Lonan, "will use Noxbane to free him."

The idea had come to her just as she'd been about to fall asleep. If Noxbane could be used to slice through time and space, could it not be used to cut through the stone of Tarion's tomb, magic staunching or otherwise? Noxbane was an immortal, Hel forged blade. Such bonds would not restrain it.

"Won't you need the blade to kill Astaroth?" One of the Elders pointed out.

"I will, but I can fight him without it long enough for Tarion to be freed. As soon as he is, Noxbane will be returned to me and I will kill Astaroth. But we have to make sure the Prince is freed, and I don't think Astaroth would let me get close enough."

"And in the event that you are killed?" Another asked.

"Pray I can drag Astaroth down to Hel with me." She crossed her arms, waiting expectantly for further opinions. The Elders began to whisper between themselves, glancing at her, the map, Lonan and Gaelen, and her swords.

Finally, someone spoke. "There are a few more details to smooth down, but it is a feasible plan and one we can agree with. Five of us will take our forces to the Isle of Lorn to confront the Corrupted Fae there and any we may find in the woods."

"We remaining six will follow you," Rehema said. "The last war I fought in ended in death and ashes. I believe you can lead this one to end in life and rebirth."

"I will fight with all that I am to see it done," Morana replied.

Rehema fixed her attention on the Elders. "We will spend the rest of this day finalizing the details. Tomorrow, those of you going to the Isle of Lorn should depart and gather your forces. Let Astaroth believe we are attacking there first, while the rest of us make our way to Durga's How."

"He will not come himself until he hears where Morana is headed, but he will send out forces to repel us. That will give us an advantage, but we cannot give him time to figure out our true plans."

The Elders nodded their agreement and voices swelled once more. Morana stooped as Rehema leaned towards her. "You should go to your friend," the Elder urged. "She is awake now and you may not have long to spend with her. I will tell you what you need to know when we're finished here."

Morana gave a quick nod and headed towards the door without hesitating. No one followed her. As soon as she was outside Rehema's home, she took off sprinting towards her own lodgings. Low voices came from within Neeri's room when she reached the door. Morana steeled herself and knocked.

Arlon was the one to greet her. He stepped past her with an abrupt excuse and Morana breezed into the room. Neeri had already risen and was staring at her with wide, vibrant red eyes. For a few long moments, they just stood there, gaping at one another.

Then they were both moving, flying across the room and throwing their arms around one another, the crushing embrace a promise that they would not be parted ever again.