Chapter 62


    62. Finding Solutions


    YILEYNA


    “And that’s why the sofa and everything is wet.” I finished.


    I had spent thest hour telling Charlene about my powers, how Theon assumed I might be part mage or


    fae, and about the frost all over the cabin. “Dear Selene… that’s… amazing.” Charlene whispered in


    awe.


    “I don’t know if it is, but I was thinking of asking Madelia or maybe Zarian to see if they could help me


    channel it or something?” I mused as I stood up from where we had both been sitting cross-legged on


    the floor. 1


    “Hmm, I think Zarian is the better choice. Madelia is far too close to Dad, She obeys his orders without


    question, and if you don’t want Dad to know, then I would say avoid her.” Charlene said. “You have


    be stronger since your birthday, even I can sense it… Yileyna, do you think you made the odd


    storm happenst night?”


    I almostughed. “A storm? I highly doubt that.” “I’m serious… like you said, the entire ce was frosted.


    The storm came on suddenly and was crazy all through the night, and it only calmed considerably after


    three in the morning…” Charlene said thoughtfully. “Which would rule out you being a mage. Without


    casting a spell, there’s no way you can draw upon your magic…” “So you think I’m part fae then?” I


    asked tilting my head. “Yes! Oh my goddess! You must be, you are so beautiful it makes sense!” She


    eximed in excitement, cupping my face. I raised an eyebrow before my amusement faded away as the


    reality set in that one or both of my parents may not be blood-rted to me. As if realising what was on


    my mind, Charlene hugged me.


    “Our blood does not make us who we are, just as I consider you as my sister.” She gave me a squeeze


    and I smiled.


    She was right, no matter who or what I was, my parents were always going to be my parents. I was the


    daughter of William and Hana De’Lacor and no one else. “Right, so let’s do this. We first find a new


    apartment, and then we talk to Zarian.” Charlene decided.


    “Aren’t you going to be missed at the castle?”


    “Not yet, I have a few hours free before I need to return, and we need to think of a n too…” She


    tapped her chin. “This ball… I wish you woulde.” “Oh, I aming.” I said as Iced up my boots.


    She turned sharply towards me in surprise and excitement.


    “Really?”


    “Yes, Raiden asked me to apany him.” I said, as Charlene smiled..


    “Ooo from one handsome man to another handsome but also charming young man! He’s liked you for so


    long!” “Let’s not forget that Raiden is the biggest yboy in the city. He’s slept with most women here.


    He only teased me and flirted.” I reminded her. “Oh I know but-”


    “Charl, I’m not ready to think of anyone romantically,” I whispered trying to hide the pain in my eyes. “I’m


    sorry.” She replied apologetically. “It’s fine, let’s go.” I said picking up my coat and putting it on. We left


    the cabin together; our first n of action was to find somewhere for me to stay. We made a quick stop at


    the bank where I filled up a bag of coins from our family vault, and I saw that the king had indeed given


    me a good lump sum for the trip we had made. 1 “Ok, let’s ask Madam Marigold if she knows a ce! I’m


    sure she may have some rooms above the café too.”


    “That’s true, we can ask her. I’m sure she may know someone or other who is offering a ce. If they


    even ept me with my reputation as the daughter of a traitor. I can’t wait to remove this mark from my


    parent’s reputation.” I responded thoughtfully.


    “She is one person who doesn’t care about anyone’s opinion or background, I’m sure she’ll happily help.”


    It was true she had a mix of people working for her yet still her cafe wasn’t any less busy, it was a ce


    where everyone could just enjoy the sweet treats and hot drinks without discrimination. We made our


    way there, with Charlene saying she couldn’t wait to have a hot drink with this blistering cold.


    “Finally!” She breathed a sigh of relief when the café came into sight.


    “You really are cold.” I said, sympathetically looking at her red tipped nose. She looked over at me,


    looking me up and down calctingly.


    “Do you think your element is the reason you don’t feel cold? I mean the ice.” She whispered, leaning


    closer.


    “Goddess knows.” I shrugged, thinking over her words. “That is an interesting point, recently I didn’t feel


    as cold as I used to. I assumed it was because my wolf was awakening…” “Exactly, I really think it ys


    a huge factor.” Charlene said thoughtfully. A sudden thought came to me, and my stomach twisted.


    “Charlene, do you think if that’s the case that I won’t have a wolf?” I whispered quietly.


    Sure, the king had people of all species working for him, but they weren’t in the pack Would that mean if I


    didn’t have a wolf i’d be thrown out? “You are most likely a hybrid; I can sense you are a werewolf. Trust


    me, I have done extensive research on this matter. If anything, you may not be able to take werewolf


    form, but most


    werewolf hybrids can mind link.” She exined confidently. I frowned and nodded. She was right… The


    few hybrids we had in the pack were extremely rare. I think there were only three at most, however only


    two of those three could shift but the third also had the mind link.


    I wanted my wolf, I really did…


    We reached the café soon after and requested if Madam Marigold could give us a few moments, when


    she had time, she looked at us suspiciously before giving a curt nod.


    “Alright, now go to the back booth, Zarian will bring you something to eat. You are both a sight.” She


    ordered, as if she knew we hadn’t eaten anything, but then I guess we both didn’t look like our normal


    selves.


    “Thank you.” I said as Charlene smiled gratefully at her. Once settled and after cing our orders with


    Zarian, we waited for him to return. We nned to ask him when he brought our food.


    “I love those pastries.” Charlene said licking her lips as she referred to the pastries we had just ordered


    Madam Marigold had some delicious pastries that she only served in the morning hours, and they were


    delicious, crispy pastries filled with a special cream and jam in the centre.


    “Me too.” I said, ying with the fur of my coat that now sat on the booth beside me.


    Zarian soon returned, his silky ck hair held two small its that came from the back and fell by his


    side, and a few strands left out framing his face.


    He was indeed a very beautiful man.


    He shed me a smile as I observed him. “Distracted, beautiful?” He teased as he ced our tray down.


    “A little.” I said before smiling sweetly. “I actually had a favour to ask…”


    “Oh? What favour can I do for the beauty before me?” He looked curious, ncing between us before he


    crossed his arms, watching me with sharp interest.


    As expected he wasn’t just a beautiful man, I think I was righting here. Something told me he’d be


    able to help us.


    “Yes, can we talk in private once you are free?” I asked quietly, ncing around the café.


    He tapped his chin before he nodded. “You are in luck; I am finishing early today anyway.” He replied


    with a wink. “Perfect.” Charlene said just as Madam Marigold came over and Zarian walked off smoothly.


    Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.


    “I do hope you pretties are not distracting my waiter. Now, what can I help youdies with?” She said


    sitting down beside me and folding the tea towel she was holding with a huff of relief.


    “Busy morning, I see.” Charlene said picking up one of the pastries. “Extremely. I await the day I retire,


    yet I love this ce so much I don’t see it happening any day soon.”


    “Well, we are d to hear that, this is the best café in Westerfell.” I said, exchanging a look with


    Charlene before continuing “We won’t take too much of your time, the thing is I was looking for a ce to


    stay. A permanent ce, it doesn’t need to be big…” Her eyebrow shot up and she looked me over.


    “Weren’t you living with the soon-to-be beta?”


    News indeed travelled fast.


    “She isn’t anymore, we were hoping you knew of a ce that would offer a room, you are always so


    knowledgeable.” Charlene smiled warmly, trying to divert the conversation away from Theon and I.


    Just the mention of him made my heart squeeze with pain. Madam Marigold sighed as she sat back as if


    thinking, before she turned to me. “You know with the uing ball many ces are fully booked out.


    Even I don’t have any rooms that I can give you full-time, however I have a friend who has made an inn


    down by the coast and yes, I know it’s a bit of a risky ce, but it’s cheap, very easy on the eyes and it’s


    doing well. Besides, as long as you don’t go down to the coast at night it’s fine.” She said briskly.


    Charlene and I exchanged looks; I knew which ce she meant, it had been getting constructed for a


    while now.


    “It’s more catered for travellers, and since it’s on the outskirts it’s a bit more away from the hustle and


    bustle of the city. He is offering some permanent residency too and if I write you a letter, I’m sure he will


    happily allow you to stay.” “Could you do that? I would be grateful.” I said feeling a little hopeful. “Should


    we not take a look first?” Charlene asked worriedly.


    “No it’s fine, I’m sure it’ll be perfect.” I replied, I just needed a ce.


    “Well then, you girls carry on enjoying your food and I will have it written up for you. I need to get back to


    work too!”


    She stood up and we both thanked her for her time and effort before I looked at Charlene.


    “I guess we could hire a cart to get my stuff down to the coast.” “I don’t know Leyna, it’s not the safest


    ce.” “It’s going to be fine. Trust me, I have faced sirens more than once and lived.” Charlene rxed


    visibly. “You know what? You are right, I think that in itself is one of the greatest achievements. If Dad


    knew, I’m sure he’d want you guarding the coast!” She shook her head. “But seriously Yileyna, you do


    need to be careful if you live down there…” “I’ll be fine, my queen, trust me.” I said as I picked up my


    mug of coffee. My smile faded, the reminder of Theon once more hitting me hard. I am done with you,


    and I pray the moon goddess gave me the strength to face you, to hold myself with strength and grace…


    It was a whileter and Zarian was finally free to leave. He had taken us to the staff quarters in the back


    of the café, where we wouldn’t be overheard. Madam Marigold had given us a letter to show the inn


    owner, which at least sorted the first of our problems. Charlene and I now wondered where to start, and I


    took a deep breath after making him promise to not share this conversation with anyone else. “I take an


    oath on Etaar, themselves.” Zarian said cing a hand on his chest.


    He was referring to the fae deity, a being that was neither male nor female but held such beauty that it


    was said that no mortal could look them in the eye. I nodded and taking a deep breath, I told him how I


    had recently felt a shift in myself after my eighteenth but rather than getting my wolf or anything, I told


    him about the two urrences of power, leaving out the fact that it was actually Charlene’s whose


    abilities we had been trying to awaken the first time. Simply making it out as if it was performed to help


    awaken my wolf. Also how we assumed I was a hybrid and if he could help me train or at least fully


    awaken my abilities, or help to channel it.


    “So… I was wondering if you could help.” I finished.


    “I don’t think she’s part mage… we think she may be part fae. She’s beautiful too.” Charlene finished as


    Zarian watched us with a small smile lingering on his lips.


    “As beautiful as she is, she is not fae.”


    My stomach sank as he said those words. “Are you sure? She can’t be a mage, because even before


    learning to use their abilities, they need to refer to the books of their elders… Her power is more


    elemental, she didn’t-” Zarian raised a hand, cutting Charlene off. “There are many races in this world of


    ours, Princess Charlene. I assure you, Yileyna is not of fae blood.” 1


    “Then what could I be? If this is the fact that I need to show you proof of my powers, I can try. “I said,


    feeling as if I had once again hit a wall.


    “You need not prove anything to me, beautiful. I believe you, but I can only tell you that you are not fae.”


    He reached over and caressed my cheek. I pulled away, frowning at him as I watched him sharply. He


    chuckled, running his fingers through his hair. “I have… some theories, but they don’t really make sense.


    Time will tell. As for training you, I don’t see why not, if as you say it’s elemental, I can perhaps help


    somewhat…” He was watching me keenly, and I felt a little self-conscious under his gaze. “What do you


    enjoy?”


    “Enjoy?” I asked warily. “Your preferences of day or night,nd and sea, song or dance.” He said, as if it


    was obvious and I should know what he was talking about. I frowned slightly, thinking about his question,


    it was clear he wanted an answer. ” Fae were sly creatures, and I knew I needed to answer properly.


    “I prefer night… I love bothnd and sea yet I do love the freedom of the sea, the smell of the fresh sea


    breeze, and as for song or dance… I love to dance, yet I can sing well.” I answered, feeling as if there


    was some sort of a trick question in there. Even Charlene was scrutinising Zarian sharply. He smiled and


    nodded, tilting his head and letting his silky dark hair fall over his shoulder.


    “Now tell me, my beautiful blond hybrid, what are the species of this world?”


    “Werewolf, human, mage, fae, naga and siren.” I replied, “They are the intelligent species.” His smile


    grew. “Indeed and what species is the weakness or fear of the other?” I nced at Charlene confused.


    “The Naga fear mages and sirens… the werewolves’ greatest enemy are themselves or the sirens…” I


    mumbled feeling lost, I had never ever considered this. “The mages fear the werewolves, correct?”


    Charlene added.


    Zarian gave a nod, “Correct, and the fae dislike the naga for they hold strong elemental power. Now, tell


    me, what race do the sirens fear the most?”


    Me and Charlene exchanged looks, neither of us knew the answer. “Fae.” Zarian said. I frowned.


    “That makes no sense, you said the naga fear sirens, and fae fear the naga…” I mumbled. “It may not be


    common knowledge here in Astalion, since it is not a fae kingdom. However, the sirens song has no


    effect on a fae. We are the only species that are superior to them.” A wicked smile crossed his face and


    for a moment, he wasn’t just the beautiful man we knew but a fae who knew exactly what his worth was.


    I nodded slowly.


    “That’s incredible, considering how much damage they can do.” I said frowning, wondering where we


    were going with this. “Perhaps… but every species has a weakness.” He gave me a dangerous smile as


    he took hold of my chin in his long slender fingers. “And that is why, I will agree to train you.”