The Fae King's Chosen

Chapter 6 - Unveiling the Magic

The palace was quieter than usual as Alessia wandered through the familiar corridors, her footsteps barely audible on the polished stone floors. Her mind was still tangled in the events of the day before—the fae marketplace, the curious stares, the weight of the prophecy. It was a lot to take in, and now, with every passing moment, the enormity of her role here felt more overwhelming.

She had expected to feel more settled by now. After all, she had spent the last few days trying to understand this world, to absorb its beauty and magic. But the truth was, the deeper she delved into the fae realm, the more she felt like she was drowning.

A voice called her name, soft yet commanding. Alessia turned to see Caelorn approaching her, his golden eyes steady as always.

“The king has asked to see you,” Caelorn said, his tone gentle. “There’s something he wants to show you.”

Alessia’s stomach twisted. Another meeting with Oberon. She had spoken to him twice since her arrival, and each time, his presence had left her feeling unsettled. It wasn’t fear exactly, but there was something about him—something powerful and undeniable—that made her heart race.

“Where is he?” she asked, trying to keep her voice steady.

“In the library,” Caelorn replied, gesturing for her to follow. “He thought it would be a fitting place for what he wishes to discuss.”

Alessia nodded, though uncertainty tugged at her. She had yet to see the palace library, though she had heard whispers about its grandeur. The fae spoke of it as though it were more than just a place for books—something sacred, almost alive with magic.

They walked in silence, the soft glow of enchanted lanterns casting dancing shadows on the walls. Alessia’s mind raced with questions. What did Oberon want to show her? More details about the prophecy? Or something more?

When they arrived at the library, Alessia’s breath caught in her throat.

The double doors swung open, revealing a room that was nothing short of magnificent. Shelves upon shelves of ancient books lined the walls, towering toward the ceiling. The air hummed with energy, and a faint glow seemed to radiate from the shelves themselves, casting the space in a soft, ethereal light. It wasn’t just a library—it was a repository of magic, a living archive of the fae’s history, power, and knowledge.

And standing in the center of the room was Oberon, his dark cloak pooling around him like shadows. His piercing blue eyes met hers the moment she stepped inside, and for a brief second, Alessia forgot how to breathe.

“I see why you wanted me to come at sunset,” Alessia said softly, trying to steady herself. The fading light from outside mingled with the soft glow of the books, giving the room a breathtaking, almost otherworldly quality.

Oberon’s lips twitched in what could have been a smile, though his expression remained mostly unreadable. “This place is sacred to us,” he said, his voice low and steady. “It holds the knowledge of our people, our history, our magic. And now, it will help you understand your place in all of this.”

Alessia swallowed hard, her nerves prickling with unease. “I still don’t understand what my place is. You keep saying I’m important, that I’m part of the prophecy, but I don’t even know how I’m supposed to help.”

Oberon gestured for her to step closer. Reluctantly, Alessia did, her gaze drifting over the glowing books that surrounded her. She could feel the power in the air, like a faint pulse beneath her skin.

“Our magic,” Oberon began, “is tied to connection. It thrives on emotion, on the bonds we form with one another. When the women disappeared, we lost more than just our companions—we lost the balance that sustains our power. Our magic has withered because we lack that connection.”

Alessia nodded slowly, remembering what he and Caelorn had told her before. “And the mate bond is how you restore that balance.”

“Yes,” Oberon said, his gaze piercing hers. “When you form a mate bond with a fae, your magic will awaken. Our magic will blend, grow stronger. It is through that bond that the curse can begin to unravel.”

The weight of his words settled over her like a heavy cloak. She understood the logic of it, the way their magic worked. But the idea of choosing a mate—a fae mate—was still too much for her to accept.

“I don’t know if I can do that,” she said quietly. “I don’t even know what my magic is, or how it works. How can I be the one to fix this?”

Oberon’s expression softened, and for the first time, there was a hint of something vulnerable in his gaze. “You are the first, Alessia. And that is why it feels overwhelming. But the prophecy speaks of others—other women who will come through the portal after you. You are the beginning of this journey, not the end.”

Alessia’s breath hitched. “There are more women?”

“Yes,” Oberon said. “You are the first, but the portal will open for others. Each woman will bond with a fae, and through those bonds, our magic will be restored.”

She felt a flicker of hope, but it was quickly drowned by doubt. “But what if I can’t bond with anyone? What if... I fail?”

Oberon stepped closer, his presence filling the space between them. His voice lowered, becoming more intimate. “You will not fail, Alessia. The bond will form naturally, as it is meant to. Your magic is already stirring. I can feel it.”

Alessia blinked, her heart skipping a beat. “You... can feel it?”

Oberon nodded slowly, his gaze holding hers with an intensity that made her pulse quicken. “Our magic responds to one another. I feel it in your presence, the way it hums beneath the surface. It is only a matter of time before it awakens fully.”

Alessia’s mind raced. She had felt something, a faint thrumming of power whenever she was near Oberon, but she had dismissed it as nerves, as fear. Could it be her magic? Was she really capable of something so powerful?

“I don’t know if I’m ready for this,” she whispered.

Oberon’s gaze softened further, and for a moment, the fae king she had found so intimidating seemed... human. “None of us are ever truly ready for the roles we are given. But we rise to meet them because we must. And you, Alessia, will rise.”

She swallowed hard, her heart pounding in her chest. There was something in his voice, something in the way he looked at her, that made her feel like maybe—just maybe—he was right.

The library around them seemed to hum with approval, as if the magic itself could sense the shift in the air. The weight of the prophecy, the curse, the future of the fae world—it all pressed down on Alessia, but for the first time, she didn’t feel like she was drowning under it. Instead, she felt a flicker of strength, a tiny spark of hope.

“I’ll try,” she said softly, her voice trembling slightly. “I’ll try to help.”

Oberon’s lips curved into the faintest of smiles, a rare expression of warmth. “That’s all we can ask.”

As they stood there, surrounded by the glowing books and the hum of ancient magic, Alessia couldn’t help but feel that this was the beginning of something far greater than herself. And for the first time since arriving in this world, she wasn’t entirely afraid.