"Gods, you look terrible." The faintness in Jeera's voice snapped Avelon's senses to attention.

Since her arrival back at the palace, which she could not pinpoint to a specific day, she had been locked in a damp dungeon cell. Surprisingly, and much to her relief, the cell was not as humid as the air outside the palace.

Avelon glanced down at herself, frowning miserably at the pale brown rags she was clothed with. Elha had given her the tunic and pants once she was thrown into the dungeon. Although she was grateful for the change of clothes, the colour was depressing.

"Thanks." Avelon muttered, offering a forced response.

Jeera's eyes softened, and she offered Avelon a small smile. Something in Avelon's chest ached at the sight. She had no willpower left to offer Jeera any kindness, even though Jeera had been the first face she had seen since her arrival—besides Balor's and Elha's.

"I've heard the rumours of your escape," Jeera wrung her fingers, anxiety creeping into her voice. "And that Brianne didn't return with you."

Avelon's throat tightened at the mention of her name. She had pushed all thoughts of Brianne aside, refusing to give Balor any inkling of information about her whereabouts or involvement. She would not risk another one of her friends.

Brianne had left her behind—or at least, that was the story she had spun for Balor. Avelon met Jeera's eyes, which were filled with worry. Jeera cared for Brianne more than most friends did. Avelon sighed.

"I left Brianne behind. She's safe," Avelon said, closing her eyes, hoping and praying that no other fae were around to overhear her confession.

"And what about you?" Jeera's voice shifted to something defensive, stirring confusion inside Avelon.

"What about me?" Avelon chuckled humourlessly.

She had spent what felt like days and nights inside the dungeon. During that time, Balor would occasionally visit her to try and pull information out of her, or Elha would come to retrieve her.

Elha had ignored her entirely, refusing any form of communication. Avelon had tried speaking to her, but it had been more effective talking to the wall.

"You sacrificed yourself and came back, but what about you? What's the plan here?" Jeera's tone shifted, a sharp edge to it. Avelon shook her head and flinched.

Balor's recent air whippings still burned on her body with every movement.

"The plan..." Avelon tasted the words, her gaze lifting to the roof of her dungeon cell. "Depends on how much you know."

Avelon was not sure whether Brianne had shared everything with Jeera. Considering the wave of emotions that surged in Jeera at the mention of Brianne, Avelon guessed she knew quite a lot. She could use that to her advantage. She needed to get out of the dungeon, but before that, she needed more information on Balor's plans—and on herself. To do all those things, she needed someone who was not locked in a dungeon cell.

She had to trace her lineage and figure out what was happening with her. She could wield air, an ability neither from her mother nor father. Who were possibly not even her own blood. And while she suspected it came from blood bending, she was not entirely certain. If the riddle was to be believed, her lineage played a crucial role in everything.

"I know that Balor is experimenting with blood bending. I heard rumours from guards. When I first met you and Brianne, she told me that Balor was up to something, but she was not sure what." Jeera's voice grew distant at the memory.

"And after you got to know Brianne and me?" Avelon asked, already suspecting that Brianne had confided in Jeera.

"I know he's experimenting with blood bending and that he involved you." Jeera swallowed hard, as though expecting an outburst from Avelon. Avelon's mouth twitched in a weak attempt at a smile.

"Good. Now, you can help me figure out what Balor plans to do with a candidate who proves his experiments have succeeded." Jeera's eyes widened.

"You went through the awakening?" Avelon paused, considering Jeera's words.

She recalled the sensation of dying each time Balor conducted an experiment on her. She realized then that she had most probably gone through the awakening during one of those times. That would explain much of what was happening to her. She had felt clearer, stronger, and healed faster. And now, she could wield air.

"I'm not sure." Avelon shrugged, "I guess you could say so."

"So, you have an affinity?" Jeera stepped back. Whether it was due to surprise or fear, Avelon did not care.

"I have something." Avelon cracked her neck, forcing herself not to react to the sharp pain that followed the slightest movement.

The memory of the sickly caress of Balor's air caused bile to rise in Avelon's throat. It was not the same as the air she had wielded- it was darker and heavier. It had not greeted her, and the intention of it was lined purely with darkness.

"If you have some type of affinity, why aren't you using it to kill Balor- or do something?" Jeera's tone shifted as she snapped in accusation. Avelon's raised an eyebrow, a small chuckle of disbelief escaping her lips.

She raised her hands, showing Jeera the marked leather strapped around her wrists, accompanied by chains.

"Something in this is preventing me from doing anything. I can feel it draining me." Avelon clenched her fists and shook her hands angrily.

"Also," She continued, "I am pretty sure they are poisoning the food to keep me in a half-sedated state. I can smell the ciorra." She spat, standing as pure adrenaline coursed through her.

"Do not come in here and ask me why I'm not doing something. I can't do fucking anything!" Avelon eyes burned with rage as she shouted.

Jeera flinched at the sharpness in Avelon's voice. She quickly stepped forward, hands outstretched, her face filled with regret.

"I'm sorry," she said, her voice soft but earnest. "I didn't mean to upset you or put any blame on you. I just... I'm trying to understand."

Avelon stood still, chest rising and falling with heavy breaths. The rage that had consumed her only moments ago began to simmer down, though it still seethed beneath the surface. She looked at Jeera, seeing the sincerity in her eyes, and realized the fae before her was not her enemy—not in this moment, at least.

Her shoulders slumped, and she exhaled, the tension in her body slowly unwinding.

"There's a lot going on," Avelon said, her voice quieter now, but laced with exhaustion. She took a moment to collect her thoughts.

Jeera nodded, her expression full of empathy. "Then let me help you," she said, her voice gentle but firm.

Avelon met her gaze, the weight of everything threatening to crash down again. She closed her eyes for a moment before speaking. When she opened them, she looked directly at Jeera, voice low but steady.

"There's a riddle," Avelon said slowly. She pushed down every sense that raised caution and threw it into the wind. She had to trust that Jeera could help her.

"One I can't get out of my head. Brianne thought it is about me, or maybe it's about my bloodline. I'm not sure," She paused, her mind racing through the words of the riddle.

"But I think she might be right." Avelon chewed on the inside of her cheek.

Jeera tilted her head, the lines of concern deepening on her face. "Why?"

Avelon ran a hand through her hair, frustration building once more. "I don't think my parents are my real parents. I don't think I was ever meant to be in this family. Everything about my life... it doesn't add up. My affinity for air isn't from my father or mother. I don't know where it came from, but I think it's tied to something bigger. It might be Balor's experiments, but I think there's more to all of this than what's being said." She looked at Jeera, her expression hardening.

"And I'm starting to believe Balor's water wielder knows more than she's telling me. She's hiding something. I'm sure of it."

Jeera's brows furrowed. "Did she tell you something specifically? It's Elha right?"

Avelon nodded. "No. I caught onto her actions, and I think she's hiding something important. Something that could explain all of this... my abilities, the riddle, everything. She's been very careful about me. She even helped me escape."

Jeera's eyes widened, as though something was starting to click. Jeera took a slow step back, as if processing the weight of Avelon's words. She opened her mouth to say something, but Avelon continued, her voice growing quieter but more resolute.

"And there's someone else. Balor's keeping my friend locked up... Fallon." Avelon's voice cracked slightly as she spoke the name.

Jeera took a sharp breath, her gaze now fully focused on Avelon. "Brianne told me about your friend. Why is Balor keeping her locked away, to keep you at bay?"

Avelon nodded sadly.

Jeera was silent for a long moment, clearly processing the enormity of Avelon's words. Avelon could see her struggling to make sense of it all. Finally, Jeera spoke, her voice hoarse.

"You have a lot of shit going on," she said, the words heavy with the weight of everything Avelon had just shared.

Avelon chuckled bitterly, the sound hollow. "You can say that again."

"So how can I help?" Jeera straightened, ready for action. Her chocolate eyes were wide and hopeful.

Avelon smiled. "It's not going to be easy. I need to find out where Fallon's being kept, and if we can get her out. Also, before I can figure out anything about Balor's plans, I need to solve this riddle and see if it involves me."

"Do you remember the riddle word for word?" Jeera asked, her gaze faltering.

Avelon nodded, smiling faintly as she recited the words that were burned into her skull. After finishing, she explained how she and Brianne had stumbled upon the riddle.

"I don't like that library," Avelon chuckled as Jeera shook her head with widened eyes, "Also the riddle is a bit obvious." Avelon's laughter stopped immediately.

"How is it obvious?" Jeera's smile widened.

"I quite enjoy literacy, so I can break it down for you. It definitely speaks about someone— maybe you— who needs to figure out their true lineage, because it's powerful. The heir is obviously the same fae whose lineage needs to be traced. They're strong, and their blood can stop blood bending's dark embrace— which I think means Balor. I also think all of the affinities will answer to this fae." Jeera shrugged nonchalantly as Avelon stared at her, stunned.

"So, what you're telling me is that if I'm the fae the riddle's talking about, I would have a lineage that connects me to all the affinities, and I have to stop Balor?" Avelon's face scrunched in disbelief as Jeera nodded proudly.

"Yes. That about sums it up."

"I don't mind knocking Balor on his ass, but that seems a bit farfetched." Avelon chuckled, but her laughter faded as she heard her name called from outside the dungeon.

"Avelon!" The call came again, recognition sparking within her. She frantically looked at Jeera.

"Nobody can know you are helping me. Go now!" Avelon whispered, watching as Jeera nodded and disappeared in the opposite direction from where the voice had called.

Avelon waited patiently, her heart hammering in her chest.

"Avelon!" The voice was closer, a few cells out.

Avelon's heart skipped at the sound of his voice.

"Avelon!" Lugh's voice came again. It was sharp, tinged with panic, and unmistakable in its urgency. Her pulse quickened. Avelon stood in the centre of her cell, trying to compose herself.

Lugh stepped past her cell, pausing as he beheld Avelon. His tall frame silhouetted against the dim light from the torches. His eyes, normally soft and filled with a quiet sadness, were now hard, stormy and his lips, were pressed together in a line of anger and helplessness.

"You—" Lugh's voice broke as he stepped closer to the cell. He scanned the small area she was in, his fingers brushing the bars.

"Avelon," Her name was a sigh on his lips as his gaze analysed her. She gave him a small smile.

"I swear, I'll get you out of here. I won't let him— my father— keep you like this." His voice trembled with fury, his usual calm and collected demeanour shattered.

Avelon swallowed hard, holding herself steady. It was good to see his face. Although there was still a lining of mistrust surrounding her heart, she could not help but feel the small prickle of relief and warmth at the sight of him.

"Lugh, you can't get me out. Not like this. If you try, it'll make everything worse. You know that. You can't exactly go against your father." Her voice cracked, cutting through the tension in the air.

Lugh's eyes searched hers. "I don't care. I'm not letting him do this to you." His voice shook as he searched the dungeon for a way to help. Avelon saw a flicker of vulnerability in his eyes.

She stepped forward, her hand reaching out, "Lugh," she murmured softly, "It's good to see you."

She tried distracting him by drawing his attention toward her.

"Avelon," Lugh whispered again, his voice thick with emotion, as his fingers brushed the cold bars of her cell.

Images of their shared moment on the sand dunes and in the stables flashed through her memories, causing her cheeks to heat. His gaze lingered on her, as if thinking of the same moments and seeing the same images. He drank in the sight of her, as though he had not seen her in years, though it had only been a matter of days. The distance between them felt thick with emotion. The mutual feeling they had for each other palpable in the air. Avelon swallowed hard, stepping back to clear her head. She could not think of Lugh in that way.

"To be trapped like this... to be at the mercy of him." His voice broke through her vivid imagination. His gaze flickered toward the distant shadows as if sensing Balor himself.

Avelon shook her head, her voice soft but firm. "Lugh, you need to leave."

Lugh snapped his attention back to her, but before he could speak, she continued.

"I don't want to put you in danger. You don't understand the full weight of what's happening. You can't just rush in and save me like some tale."

Lugh's face twisted with frustration, but then his expression softened, and he exhaled deeply. He looked at her, really looked at her, and Avelon could see the conflict in his eyes. "I can't stand the thought of you being here, of him hurting you."

His gaze dropped to the floor in consideration before he looked back at her. "But I'll respect your wishes... for now."

She gave him a small, relieved smile, though it did not reach her eyes.

For a long moment, Lugh just stared at her, his lips pressed tight as he fought back the words he clearly wanted to say. His hand dropped from the bars, and he took a slow step back.

"I'll do what I can to help from the shadows," Lugh finally said, his voice quieter now, almost a promise as he made his decision.

Unease coiled in her stomach. She wanted to tell him everything that had happened. Wanted to share her thoughts and doubts, yet the little voice inside her told her not to.

She liked Lugh, to her unfortunate surprise, and she could not help the feeling of wanting to trust him. The silence was deafening as she watched Lugh. Her heart clenched as she battled with her emotions. But she did not trust Lugh, and because that she did not dare share anything with him, even though she felt something towards him.

"You need to go. I know you want to help but you can't." she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Lugh's gaze softened, and his lips parted as if to say something more, but then he simply shook his head.

"I'm sorry for everything you've been put through." Lugh whispered, his words heavy.

Avelon swallowed, blinking back the sting of tears that threatened. She nodded again, not trusting herself to speak, and for a moment, they just stood there in the silence of the dungeon. Ultimately, they both accepted that there was nothing he could do to get her out of the dungeon without facing Balor himself. She could feel the weight of his gaze.

Lugh stood still for a moment, his eyes searching hers one last time, as if looking for something. The silence between them was thick—each breath felt like it took a little longer.

Finally, he nodded, slowly, the expression on his face filled with reluctant acceptance.

"I wish I could do more," he whispered, voice barely above a breath.

With a final glance, Lugh turned, his footsteps echoing in the dungeon as he walked away. Avelon could hear him pause just outside the door, as if torn between staying and leaving.

Then, there was onlysilence.