The warmth of Lilith's cottage was a stark contrast to the eerie chill of the witches' woods. Candles floated midair, their soft glow illuminating the ancient symbols carved into the wooden walls. Dried herbs and aged scrolls filled the space, their presence thick with forgotten magic.
Sophia sat at the heavy oak table, her fingers tracing the rim of a silver goblet filled with an herbal concoction. The weight of the witch's words pressed down on her, heavier than anything she had ever known.
"So, you knew my mother?" Sophia's voice was laced with hesitation, her golden eyes locked onto Lilith's violet ones.
Lilith nodded, a wistful smile playing on her lips. "Yes, child. Emily was a force of nature. A fierce protector, a queen hidden from her own kingdom." Her gaze softened. "She loved you more than life itself."
Sophia swallowed the lump in her throat, her heart aching at the thought of the mother she never got to truly know. "Then why did she hide me? Why suppress what I am?"
Lilith leaned forward. "Because the Fae Lords feared you. Your bloodline is ancient, powerful. If they had known you survived, they would have hunted you down long ago."
Lucian, who had remained standing, arms crossed in a defensive stance, finally spoke. "And now that her power has begun to manifest, they'll come for her." His jaw tightened. "We need to move quickly."
Lilith turned to him, her gaze knowing. "Yes. But power like hers cannot remain concealed for long." She reached for a small vial filled with shimmering silver liquid. "This will help. A cloaking potion, powerful enough to mask your presence from even the most skilled trackers."
Sophia accepted the vial, the cool glass tingling against her palm. "How long will it last?"
"Three days," Lilith answered. "Enough time for you to reach the portal leading to Lucian's kingdom. But be warned—the only path is through the Fae Lands."
Lucian stiffened. "That's dangerous."
Sophia bit her lip. "I thought the Fae wanted me."
Lilith sighed. "Not all. Some will see you as their salvation, others as a threat to their rule. Your stepbrother, Sean, has already made his move. There will be more."
A chill ran down Sophia's spine. Sean's earlier gaze haunted her—the mix of cold ambition and something deeper, something darker. She had seen desire in his eyes, and it had left her shaken. The thought of facing him again made her stomach twist.
Lucian placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder, his warmth grounding her. "We don't have a choice. We take the cloaking spell and move at dawn."
Lilith nodded. "Then rest while you can. Your journey will not be easy."
Sophia inhaled deeply, preparing herself for what lay ahead. The path through the Fae Lands would test her in ways she wasn't sure she was ready for. But with Lucian by her side, she felt stronger.
Tomorrow, they would face the unknown.