FAELAN'S POV
I felt Aviona stir above me, her hands still curled in my fur as I slowed. The mist of the Drift lay far behind us now—just clean air, untouched by the forest’s malice.
As we crossed into the human realm proper, the scent of hearth-smoke and freshly cut grass drifted up to meet us.
Ustara.
One of the three human kingdoms of Téhra—and the only one whose ruler I trusted.
By the time Queen Estelle’s palace rose through the haze of noon, light spilled across its gates like molten gold. The royal guard awaited us in flawless rows, armor shimmering, spears held aloft. But even from a distance I could taste their unease, sharp as iron on the tongue.
I couldn't blame them. The last time faeries walked the human realm, the world bled for it. The war claimed many of them.
I lower
