Page 63 of Court of Winter
A small smile ghosted the prince’s lips. “You’re coming to accept what you are.”
I glowered. “I didn’t say that. I simply said you could be right that the garden didn’t haveorem. I didn’t sense any either when I first arrived.”
His smile broadened.
Not liking how smug he was looking, I bit out, “Why didn’t you just tell me that you thought I could createoremwhen we first met? Why did you keep it a secret and let me worry about what was being done to me?”
His smile vanished. “I’m sorry, for what I made you feel, but I couldn’t tell you. It was too risky.”
I reeled for a moment. He’d just apologized to me. Shaking that off, I asked, “What do you mean?”
“You’re too powerful.”
“Now I know you’re full of it.”
His lips quirked. “I’m not. When a powerful fairy’s affinity first begins to manifest, it’s quite malleable. If a fairy attempts to force it, alter it, or in any way manipulate it too early, it can shatter the potential of one’s affinity.”
“What are you talking about? I’ve never heard of that.”
“It’s because it’s not common. Most affinities manifest, and their power level is set from the moment of its first appearance. It can still take time for the fairy to learn how to wield their affinity, but their power won’t diminish. But with very powerful fae, that’s not the case. One’s affinity can only reach its true potential if it isn’t manipulated too early, too quickly.”
I scoffed. “And you think I’m one of those powerful fae.”
“I do, which is why I haven’t intervened or told you what I suspected. When we first met, I could tell that you had no idea what was happening to you, nor did anyone else. But when I saw your garden, and then I saw your black hair, I knew that it was possible you could createoremgiven how prolific your garden was, but I needed your magic to grow on its own without interference. That’s why I brought you here, locked you away, and didn’t tell you my plans. You needed to fully manifest independently in order to reach your full potential.” His voice gentled, and a shiver ran down my spine when it turned slightly husky. “Our land needs you, Ilara. The magnitude of that need was too important to jeopardize, but now your affinity has truly been born, and you’re past the initial stage when it could have been stilted. It will only grow from here, and with proper training, it could be immense.”
I nibbled on my lip and avoided the urge to fidget. “If I can actually createorem, and if I can somehow replenish the crops on our continent, what’s in it for me?”
He quirked an eyebrow. “Saving our race isn’t enough?”
“Not to sound cold, but no. I want something in return if I’m to devote my life to this.”
He stroked his chin. “Are you trying to bargain with me?”
“I am.”
His lips pressed together, and for a moment, I thought he was going to laugh. “What makes you think you have any authority?”
I crossed my arms and scowled. “I don’t, but I also know that you’re quite desperate to have me help you, and I think getting something in return for saving the continent isn’t asking too much.”
He crossed his arms too. “Very well. What is it that you want?”
“To return home. To be allowed to live in peace.”
His expression flattened. “You wish to be free of me and the court.”
“Yes.”
“Would you be more willing to cooperate if I agreed to this?”
“I would.”
“In that case—” He started to hold out his arm, but I held up a hand.
“Wait. I’d also like to be allowed to come and go from my room freely. I don’t want to ever be locked in the Exorbiant Chamber or any chamber, room, cage, lodge, or confinement ever again. And I want to see my sister.”
His lips twitched. “Have you bargained before?”
“No.”