Bryant couldn't get Timin's words out of his head. The Tarrin was right—he did not deserve Kaye. Not because of his parentage or wings, but because he was a selfish coward, and she was so much stronger than he was. What little he slept that night was with her bracelet in hand, and come morning it was too late to go back. She would be High Priestess by now.

He was staring at the trees when Elett scampered to the edge of the cliff and sat next to him.

“Hello,” she said cheerfully.

“Hello,” Bryant replied with a sad smile as he looked at her. He held the bracelet, rubbing a finger along the symbols that he carved with so much care and dedication.

A little pout graced Elett’s face as she looked at it. “Kaye’s not coming back.”

“No."

“Did she become Tarrin?” Elett asked in a whisper, as if it were some secret that they couldn’t tell the other Faye.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

Bryant nodded and looked at the bracelet—Kaye had become Tarrin. A Tarrin with wings, but still Tarrin.

Elett looked at him with large, curious eyes. “Why do you not become Tarrin then?”

Bryant patted her head and laughed softly. “It’s not that easy. I cannot become Tarrin.”

“Kaye did.”

“Kaye was born Tarrin,” he pointed out.

“Father did,” she said innocently.

Bryant stopped petting her hair and looked in the direction of Gaerlom. He squeezed the bracelet until it cut into his palm. "Who told you that?"

"Celeste." Elett's legs kicked against the side of the cliff. "She said father left us here because he could not make that choice for us."

He glanced at her, angry that Celeste said anything about it at all. He didn't want Elett growing up like him, always aware that her parents had given her up because she was Faye; because she couldn't live in a Tarrin village. But she stared at him with a childlike smile.

“There are steps on the side of the mountain.” She pointed to where the cliff ledge met the side of the mountain. “Tommen and I found them once when we were exploring.”

Bryant followed her finger but didn't see anything. "Father won't be back, Elett."

"I know, but you could come back sometimes." She stood and grinned. “I’ll tell Celeste you won’t be to dinner tonight.” Then she flew to the caves, leaving him bewildered.

Finally, Bryant shook his head and began to laugh softly—Elett was a sharp one. He stood and went to where she had pointed to examine the steps.