Of Dreams and Sorcery (Royal Fae Guardians #1) - Heather Renee Page 0,3

were keeping from each other. She thought I didn’t already know what was in store for me today—and I had to keep up the charade that I was clueless.

It was my last day as a human. The day I would become something more than I ever thought possible. Something I didn’t believe even existed until the snarky owl started demanding all the things from me on my previous birthday.

From my view in the mirror, I could see she was nervous about something. I knew it probably had to do with whatever she and my parents planned to tell me when we met up later that day, but I didn’t feel bad enough to consider letting her off the hook.

“So, I know this is a big day for you. Last birthday of your teens and all, and I don’t want to be a Debby downer, but I wanted to mention something before we go see your parents this afternoon,” she said sheepishly, pushing her blonde hair behind her ear.

“Oh, yeah? What’s that?” I asked calmly while staring in the mirror at the mess I called hair. My russet locks were wavy, but not quite curly, making it hard to ever know what to do with them.

Jordan’s emerald eyes met my icy-blue ones in the reflection. “I was just thinking about how mad you were at me last year after your birthday, and you wouldn’t really tell me why. I’m pretty sure you’re over it now, but if I upset you again, please don’t shut me out. I’d rather you kung fu my ass into the depths of hell than be given the silent treatment again.”

Ahh, she was smart. She knew I would be pissed when I found out what I really was today and that she’d known the entire time, but luckily for her, she already suffered those consequences without ever knowing it.

After Stryx had come to visit me the first time and told me I wasn’t exactly human, I also learned Jordan was from the same world my parents came from and knew about all of us. Yet, she’d never told me.

To say I’d been pissed was an understatement, but Stryx talked me out of completely writing her out of my life, and I finally forgave her without ever telling her why I’d been angry in the first place.

“You’ve been my closest friend for eight years, Jordan. I hope that’s not going to change anytime soon,” I said with a forced smile, because even though Stryx had assured me that Jordan was a true friend, I still had niggling doubts that once she knew I was aware of the truth, and we went to Arvayta, she wouldn’t feel obligated to stick around any longer than required.

She waltzed into the bathroom, and her much taller frame hip-checked me as she moved to sit on the counter while I brushed my teeth.

“So, do you want to go to brunch this morning before we head to Bridal Veil?” she asked.

Bridal Veil was a small town outside of Portland where my parents lived. Even though the house was miles from any real store, they’d kept the home for its view.

The story had always been that it was inherited from long-lost relatives before I was born, along with a lifetime supply of money that they’d invested properly. While we weren’t swimming in cash, we’d lived a comfortable life that I assumed had more to do with being inhuman than it did with an inheritance.

The modest house I’d called home for my entire childhood sat atop a mountain facing Multnomah Falls, a monstrous waterfall that was over six-hundred feet in height and absolutely stunning to visit. When I was younger, I remembered going there on many occasions and hiking to the top after hours when nobody else was around. There was always a sense of peace that would settle over me when I did, and I never understood why until the night before.

When Stryx had shown me the falls in Arvayta, the same sense of tranquility became rooted deep into my soul. Once I recognized the feeling, I knew I was home. Even if I hadn’t been raised in the unknown world, my inner being recognized it for everything that it was.

Jordan kicked me from her spot on the counter as I finished rinsing my toothbrush. “So, brunch?”

“Oh, yeah. That would be great. We can swing by Carver Café on our way to Mom and Dad’s,” I replied, and my mouth was already watering. Not only