Female Novel
Chapter 62
62. Finding Solutions
YILEYNA
“And that’s why the sofa and everything is wet.” I finished.
I had spent the last hour telling Charlene about my powers, how Theon assumed I might be part mage orfae, and about the frost all over the cabin. “Dear Selene… that’s… amazing.” Charlene whispered inawe.
“I don’t know if it is, but I was thinking of asking Madelia or maybe Zarian to see if they could help mechannel it or something?” I mused as I stood up from where we had both been sitting cross-legged onthe floor. 1
“Hmm, I think Zarian is the better choice. Madelia is far too close to Dad, She obeys his orders withoutquestion, and if you don’t want Dad to know, then I would say avoid her.” Charlene said. “You havebecome stronger since your birthday, even I can sense it… Yileyna, do you think you made the oddstorm happen last night?”
I almost laughed. “A storm? I highly doubt that.” “I’m serious… like you said, the entire place was frosted.The storm came on suddenly and was crazy all through the night, and it only calmed considerably afterthree in the morning…” Charlene said thoughtfully. “Which would rule out you being a mage. Withoutcasting a spell, there’s no way you can draw upon your magic…” “So you think I’m part fae then?” Iasked tilting my head. “Yes! Oh my goddess! You must be, you are so beautiful it makes sense!” Sheexclaimed in excitement, cupping my face. I raised an eyebrow before my amusement faded away as thereality set in that one or both of my parents may not be blood-related to me. As if realising what was onmy 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 squeezeand I smiled.
She was right, no matter who or what I was, my parents were always going to be my parents. I was thedaughter of William and Hana De’Lacor and no one else. “Right, so let’s do this. We first find a newapartment, 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 plan too…” Shetapped her chin. “This ball… I wish you would come.” “Oh, I am coming.” I said as I laced up my boots.She turned sharply towards me in surprise and excitement.
“Really?”
“Yes, Raiden asked me to accompany him.” I said, as Charlene smiled..
“Ooo from one handsome man to another handsome but also charming young man! He’s liked you for solong!” “Let’s not forget that Raiden is the biggest playboy 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’msorry.” She replied apologetically. “It’s fine, let’s go.” I said picking up my coat and putting it on. We leftthe cabin together; our first plan of action was to find somewhere for me to stay. We made a quick stop atthe bank where I filled up a bag of coins from our family vault, and I saw that the king had indeed givenme a good lump sum for the trip we had made. 1 “Ok, let’s ask Madam Marigold if she knows a place! I’msure 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 place. If theyeven accept 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 placewhere everyone could just enjoy the sweet treats and hot drinks without discrimination. We made ourway 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 calculatingly.
“Do you think your element is the reason you don’t feel cold? I mean the ice.” She whispered, leaningcloser.
“Goddess knows.” I shrugged, thinking over her words. “That is an interesting point, recently I didn’t feelas cold as I used to. I assumed it was because my wolf was awakening…” “Exactly, I really think it playsa 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 Ididn’t have a wolf i’d be thrown out? “You are most likely a hybrid; I can sense you are a werewolf. Trustme, I have done extensive research on this matter. If anything, you may not be able to take werewolfform, but most
werewolf hybrids can mind link.” She explained confidently. I frowned and nodded. She was right… Thefew hybrids we had in the pack were extremely rare. I think there were only three at most, however onlytwo 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, whenshe 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.” Sheordered, as if she knew we hadn’t eaten anything, but then I guess we both didn’t look like our normalselves.
“Thank you.” I said as Charlene smiled gratefully at her. Once settled and after placing our orders withZarian, we waited for him to return. We planned 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 weredelicious, crispy pastries filled with a special cream and jam in the centre.
“Me too.” I said, playing with the fur of my coat that now sat on the booth beside me.
Zarian soon returned, his silky black hair held two small plaits that came from the back and fell by hisside, and a few strands left out framing his face.
He was indeed a very beautiful man.
He flashed me a smile as I observed him. “Distracted, beautiful?” He teased as he placed 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, glancing between us before hecrossed his arms, watching me with sharp interest.
As expected he wasn’t just a beautiful man, I think I was right coming here. Something told me he’d beable to help us.
“Yes, can we talk in private once you are free?” I asked quietly, glancing around the café.
He tapped his chin before he nodded. “You are in luck; I am finishing early today anyway.” He repliedwith a wink. “Perfect.” Charlene said just as Madam Marigold came over and Zarian walked off smoothly.
“I do hope you pretties are not distracting my waiter. Now, what can I help you ladies with?” She saidsitting 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 place so much I don’t see it happening any day soon.”
“Well, we are glad to hear that, this is the best café in Westerfell.” I said, exchanging a look withCharlene before continuing “We won’t take too much of your time, the thing is I was looking for a place tostay. A permanent place, 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 place that would offer a room, you are always soknowledgeable.” 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 ifthinking, before she turned to me. “You know with the upcoming ball many places 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 inndown by the coast and yes, I know it’s a bit of a risky place, but it’s cheap, very easy on the eyes and it’sdoing 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 place she meant, it had been getting constructed for awhile now.
“It’s more catered for travellers, and since it’s on the outskirts it’s a bit more away from the hustle andbustle of the city. He is offering some permanent residency too and if I write you a letter, I’m sure he willhappily allow you to stay.” “Could you do that? I would be grateful.” I said feeling a little hopeful. “Shouldwe 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 place.novelbin
“Well then, you girls carry on enjoying your food and I will have it written up for you. I need to get back towork 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 safestplace.” “It’s going to be fine. Trust me, I have faced sirens more than once and lived.” Charlene relaxedvisibly. “You know what? You are right, I think that in itself is one of the greatest achievements. If Dadknew, I’m sure he’d want you guarding the coast!” She shook her head. “But seriously Yileyna, you doneed to be careful if you live down there…” “I’ll be fine, my queen, trust me.” I said as I picked up mymug 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 while later and Zarian was finally free to leave. He had taken us to the staff quarters in the backof the café, where we wouldn’t be overheard. Madam Marigold had given us a letter to show the innowner, which at least sorted the first of our problems. Charlene and I now wondered where to start, and Itook a deep breath after making him promise to not share this conversation with anyone else. “I take anoath on Etaar, themselves.” Zarian said placing 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 itwas said that no mortal could look them in the eye. I nodded and taking a deep breath, I told him how Ihad recently felt a shift in myself after my eighteenth but rather than getting my wolf or anything, I toldhim about the two occurrences of power, leaving out the fact that it was actually Charlene’s whoseabilities we had been trying to awaken the first time. Simply making it out as if it was performed to helpawaken my wolf. Also how we assumed I was a hybrid and if he could help me train or at least fullyawaken 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 asZarian 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 beforelearning to use their abilities, they need to refer to the books of their elders… Her power is moreelemental, she didn’t-” Zarian raised a hand, cutting Charlene off. “There are many races in this world ofours, 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. Hechuckled, 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 helpsomewhat…” He was watching me keenly, and I felt a little self-conscious under his gaze. “What do youenjoy?”
“Enjoy?” I asked warily. “Your preferences of day or night, land and sea, song or dance.” He said, as if itwas 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 both land and sea yet I do love the freedom of the sea, the smell of the fresh seabreeze, and as for song or dance… I love to dance, yet I can sing well.” I answered, feeling as if therewas some sort of a trick question in there. Even Charlene was scrutinising Zarian sharply. He smiled andnodded, 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 smilegrew. “Indeed and what species is the weakness or fear of the other?” I glanced at Charlene confused.“The Naga fear mages and sirens… the werewolves’ greatest enemy are themselves or the sirens…” Imumbled 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, tellme, 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 becommon knowledge here in Astalion, since it is not a fae kingdom. However, the sirens song has noeffect on a fae. We are the only species that are superior to them.” A wicked smile crossed his face andfor 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 wewere going with this. “Perhaps… but every species has a weakness.” He gave me a dangerous smile ashe took hold of my chin in his long slender fingers. “And that is why, I will agree to train you.”