CHAPTER TEN
As soon as the Monarchs left, Aethera slumped into her seat with a heavy sigh, rubbing her palm down her face as if trying to scrub away the tension. She muttered something under her breath, most likely along the lines of "fucking royals."
I couldn't help but wonder what her role was beyond being General. Aren't generals supposed to be below royals? But with her, it didn't feel that way. It was like they were equals—her words carried weight, the room seemed to bend to her will.
Aethera took a deep breath, then turned to face me. "I'm so sorry about all that, Jay." She waved vaguely in the direction the royals had just stormed off in. "They're usually more... subtle than that."
I raised an eyebrow in bemusement, shaking my head. "I have so many questions. Everything's happening so fast, I'm barely keeping up. And I don't even understand half the stuff you all say. I don't know if I'll ever fit in here like you want me to."
Aethera didn't hesitate. "You will. It's going to be difficult, especially since the prophecy has basically put a target on your back—put the attention of all the royals on you. But you will fit in." She gave me a soft, reassuring smile, but there was something more to it. Almost like a challenge.
I shot a glare at Ember, who returned my look with a sheepish grin. This is all his fault. "What is a prophecy, anyway? And why can you see it?"
Ember's expression shifted, turning somber, and I couldn't help but watch him as his voice grew low, like he was unraveling something ancient—something much bigger than us.
"A prophecy," he started, his gaze distant as if he were staring at something far beyond the walls of the room, "is more than just words strung together to rhyme. It's like a thread, one that ties the future to the present. Something unseen, pulling at those destined to walk that path." He met my eyes then, his gaze steady, full of something that made my breath hitch. "It's a whisper from the realm—a warning, a promise, or a curse. Depends on how you take it."
I felt a chill crawl down my spine. The air seemed to thicken, but I held his stare. The weight of his words pressed into me, and I couldn't look away.
Ember shifted slightly as he leaned against the table, and the intensity of his gaze only deepened. It felt like he was peering straight into my soul. "I can feel it because I'm one of the rare few who have this... connection to the realm." His voice dropped lower, and I instinctively leaned in. "It's... like the realm hums through me, sometimes. When the winds shift, when fate's weight bears down, the realm whispers its secrets to me."
Fascinated, and yet entirely confused, I couldn't stop myself. "How? How does a realm speak?"
"When the realm speaks, it doesn't shout," Ember said softly, his lips quirking into something between a smile and a frown. "It's quiet. Subtle. But I hear it. I listen." He paused, letting the silence linger before continuing, his voice softer now, almost reverent. "The prophecy you're tied to? It's one of those whispers. One of the rare ones the realm decided to share long before you even existed. Before you were a thought in the universe. The fact that it's repeating itself now... that your arrival triggered it? That's no coincidence."
"Me?" Skepticism clouded my voice, disbelief twisting in my gut.
Ember didn't break eye contact. His gaze softened, and there was something protective there—something knowing. "You're not just walking into some random future, Jay. You're stepping into the echo of something that was set in motion long ago. I've seen it. Pieces of it. Fragments. Too vague to make any sense of right now. But it's there, and it's real. It's a gift... but also a burden."
I frowned, my mind racing. "But I'm nothing. What could I possibly offer the entire realm?"
Ember leaned back in his chair, his eyes never leaving mine. "That, I don't know. But we'll figure it out, Jay. Together." He patted my shoulder, firm but reassuring. "You're not alone in this anymore."
I glanced at Aethera. She was watching me with a soft gaze, one that spoke volumes without saying a word. They really are going this far to help me?
I wasn't sure what to think, but one thing was certain: I wasn't alone in this new world. I wasn't out there battling and struggling with no one in my corner to guide me.
The silence in the room stretched, each of us absorbed in our own thoughts.
Aethera broke the quiet, her voice cutting through the tension. "Well, let's get lunch. I'm starving."
I blinked and glanced up at Aethera, already standing on her feet. She winked at me, and a small chuckle escaped my lips.
Ember groaned beside me, stretching like he had just woken up. "Ugh, finally. Visions and prophecies make me so hungry." He flashed a grin, and I couldn't help but smile as we all headed toward the door.
---
As we stepped out of the Council chamber, the weight of the walls that had confined me for what felt like hours lifted. I sucked in a deep breath, the cool air outside feeling like an instant relief. The vastness of the compound stretched before me, and though I'd seen it earlier, it still made me pause. The space was endless, sprawling with buildings that seemed to vanish into the distance. My claustrophobia had kicked in back inside the chamber, and even though the windows were huge, they were shut tight, blocking the breeze. I hadn't realized how much I had been itching to get out until now.
"Deep breaths?" Aethera's voice broke through the moment. She was already standing beside me, a knowing look in her eyes.
I nodded, not trusting myself to speak for a second. I didn't want to admit how much the few hours of confinement had bothered me, but Aethera had likely sensed it anyway.
"Let me show you around this side of the compound a little," she said, her voice casual, but there was an undertone of authority that was impossible to ignore. "Not that you'll be spending much time here, but you should know your way around." She started walking ahead, Ember falling into step beside me. He grinned, his mischievous energy still in full swing after our conversation in the chamber.
"Right, of course." I said, the need to know more about my temporary home buzzing in the back of my mind.
Aethera glanced over her shoulder, clearly used to giving impromptu tours. "Well, this is the Eastern compound. It houses the bulk of our training facilities and the home to about six hundred official Elites who reside here. It's not all that pretty, but it's functional. We've got the training grounds up ahead, where most of the physical training happens. You'll want to get used to that, seeing as you're going to be a recruit now."
I raised an eyebrow. "Recruit?"
She smirked at me. "Did you think you were just going to waltz in here and hang out? Nah. You'll be joining the newest batch of recruits that'll arrive later this afternoon."
I frowned at the sudden shift. "But I'm... not exactly here to be a warrior, right? I thought the stay was temporary."
"It is," she replied smoothly, "The royals agreed to let you stay here, but you can only do that as a recruit. Unless you have enough skills to work in the infirmary, you'll be joining the recruits and learning alongside them."
"This is because of the weapons stuff you were all talking about, isn't it?"
"That too." Her voice softened slightly. "But, It'll also give you structure, Jay. As long as you don't pick up a god weapon in the ceremony, you're won't have to be a soldier if you don't want to be. You'll be free to choose your own path, but learning here will keep you safe and prepare you for the future. You'll need it."
"And if I do? If I picked a god weapon or whatever?"
"You cannot exactly keep a god weapon in your hands as decoration now, can you?"
I opened my mouth to protest but closed it again. Deep down, I knew she was right. I had little choice in the matter, and it will actually help me get stronger. I needed to. Sire was no weak foe.
As we continued walking, Ember pointed toward a cluster of buildingings that looked more like a small village. "Those are the living quarters for the Elites," he said. "Some of them are just newly sworn in." His grin turned more mischievous. "Pranking them is always so much fun."
I shot him a questioning look. "Do you live there?"
"No. Aethera and her squad lives in another building. You can't see it from here."
"Her squad?"
"You've met us. It's all of us that stayed behind with you in the cabin."
"Oh. Where will I be staying?"
Aethera answered before he could, her voice firm but kind. "I'll have Ember arrange a dorm that suits you. You're not staying in the regular recruits' dorms. I'm aware of your needs—"
"My needs?" I interrupted.
She gave me a pointed look. "You have trauma, Jay. Anyone that has gone through what you did would. I'll make sure the room you get meets your needs. Life of being a recruit is tedious enough. The least I can do for my recruits is to give them good food and comfortable rooms to come back to after a long day." Aethera paused, her gaze lingering on me for a moment before turning her attention back to Ember. "Make sure it's done by the time she's been registered."
Ember's grin faltered just slightly, but he gave a quick nod. "I already have someone on it."
Aethera turned to me once more, her expression softening just a touch. "I'm also assigning Ember as your handler. Every recruit has one. He'll make sure you're taken care of. He's not just my second-in-command; he is my friend. You won't find anyone who'll understand you better than him here."
I gave Ember a skeptical look, but the warmth in his eyes told me he wasn't just being assigned to this because Aethera needed a task for him. He had a genuine care for me, even if I didn't fully understand why yet.
As we neared the dining hall, the aroma of cooked food filled the air. So unfamiliar yet also familiar in some way. Like my body knows this is what it should be having not some liquids passed into me.
The dining hall was a large open space with long wooden tables stretching out in neat rows. The walls were lined with huge windows that let in plenty of light, but the space still felt warm and welcoming, unlike the cold, closed-off atmosphere of the council chamber.
We found a seat at one of the tables, and some odd looking servers scuttled over and brought out platters of food. I want to take a closer look at them but I am distracted by the spread they were laying before us. My jaw dropped as I viewed each one. I couldn't recognize most of them but I could see some bread, fruits and cheese.
"I'm sorry. This is just for the three of us?" I asked in shock.
"Eat up, Small. Your stomach is dying." Ember answered as he served himself, bringing my attention to the sounds my stomach was making.
Whoa! I clutched my stomach. It's never done that before, but it was embarrassing for some reason.
"Shut up," I muttered, trying to hide my slight embarrassment.
But Ember only chuckled, unbothered, shoving a piece of bread into his mouth. "No shame in being hungry, Small. You're practically wasting away as it is."
"Leave her alone, Ember," Aethera scolded as she filled her plate with an effortless grace that only made her presence more commanding. "Eat up, Jay. Most of it is food you'll recognize from the human realm, with a touch of Fae dishes. We'll need to introduce Fae food to you gradually—it can have... side effects if you're not accustomed to it."
I kept my gaze low, scanning the spread of food, still undecided where to start. But the weight of someone's stare pulled me out of my thoughts. When I glanced up, my eyes locked with Aethera's. She was already watching me, her expression soft but undeniably intense.
Heat flared to my face, and I quickly dropped my gaze. Thank fuck for dark skin—at least it hid the worst of my embarrassment.
Before I could dwell too much on it, she reached for a smaller plate, her movements fluid and deliberate. She selected a few colorful fruits, placing them with care, before sliding the plate toward me.
"Here, try these first," she said, her voice gentle, almost coaxing. "I think you'll like them."
I hesitated, feeling awkward but grateful. "T-thank you," I stammered, taking the plate from her hands.
As I took the plate, I felt Ember tense beside me. Actually, now that I thought about it, the whole dining hall seemed to have gone eerily quiet.
Or am I imagining things?
I glanced around, confused, before looking back at Aethera. Her cheeks were pink, and for some reason, she was avoiding my gaze.
What the hell is going on?
Turning to Ember, I asked, "Have I done something wrong?"
He shook his head but aimed a pointed look at Aethera. "Nope. No way am I explaining this one. You did it, so you explain it."
Aethera rolled her eyes with a huff, still refusing to meet my gaze. It was weird seeing her like this. She was a confident, commanding general, but right now? She looked almost... flustered.
"I—it's not a big deal," she finally muttered. "It just holds... a certain significance among the Fae when one directly offers food from their own hands to another."
"Uh... What kind of significance?"
"It's not important," she said quickly, her tone brushing it off.
Ember shot her an incredulous look that practically screamed Are you serious right now?
Yeah, okay, it clearly wasn't not important. But she seemed uncomfortable, and I wasn't about to push it. Letting it go, I focused on the plate of fruits I had collected.
I hesitated, staring at the plate before me. My eyes lingered on a fruit that shimmered faintly under the light. It looked otherworldly—like something out of a dream. "What... is that?" I pointed at it cautiously.
Aethera followed my gaze and laughed. "Fae fruit. Careful with it. It's delicious, but too much can give you... interesting dreams."
Ember snorted, reaching over to grab a piece. "Translation: It'll mess with your head if you're not used to it. Start with half. You'll thank me later."
I wrinkled my nose but grabbed a slice anyway, ignoring the way Ember grinned like I'd just taken some kind of dare. Tentatively, I took a bite. Sweetness exploded on my tongue, a burst of flavor that was almost overwhelming. My eyes widened as I swallowed. Holy hell—what was this? I felt like I was buzzing, like life itself had just gotten brighter and sharper. How the fuck had I lived this long without tasting these?
Oh, right—I hadn't really lived. Not properly.
"See? Not so bad," Ember said, his tone smug. "You'll be craving it by the end of the week."
I got so caught up in savoring the fruit that it took me a moment to realize Aethera was watching me again. Her gaze was soft, her eyes glimmering with what could only be described as happiness and... satisfaction?
The expressions caught me so off guard I nearly choked. Since meeting her, I didn't think I'd ever seen such look in her eyes and directed at me no less.
But just as quickly, she blinked, and the moment vanished. The confident, calm general was back in place. She cleared her throat, grabbed her fork, and returned to her food as though nothing had happened.
Oookay then.
I popped another slice of the fruit in my mouth and decided to press further into the mysteries of this academy.
"So, what exactly is the academy for?" I asked, as I continued to savour the taste of it on my tongue.
Aethera took a sip of her drink before responding, her eyes narrowing slightly as she chose her words carefully. "This place is more than just an academy. It's the backbone of our defense. Elite warriors like me train here to protect the realm. We're not just soldiers for hire; we're guardians of the realm itself. The recruits are being trained to serve that purpose. Some will stay here and fight; others will go out into the world. The academy is preparing them for all of it."
Ember picked up the conversation, his tone more casual. "The recruits come from all over. Some are nobility's children, others are from common families. Everyone's here to become stronger, to help protect the realm. Or at least that how it should be. Most just try to join simply because of the prestige it gives."
"And what about you?" I asked, turning my attention to Aethera. "What's your role in all this, besides being a general? I get the sense it's...more?"
Aethera's expression darkened slightly, the weight of her responsibilities clear in her gaze. "I'm a general, yes, but I'm also a diplomat of sorts. I keep the peace between the courts. The royals trust me to keep their factions from tearing each other apart. And when the realm needs defending, I'm the one who leads the charge."
My eyes widened slightly. "That sounds... like a lot."
She gave me a thin smile. "It is. But it's necessary. With no buffer to keep them in line, they would tear each other apart. They've already tried once."
I paused, taking in everything she'd said. It was a lot to absorb, but it made sense. This realm has a lot of history and baggage and the academy wasn't just a place of training—it was a crucial part of the realm's defense.
And now, whether I liked it or not, I was going to be part of it.