"KNOWLEDGE IS POWER, Kaia. Learn that quickly and learn it now. I told you the answer to the riddle, now, you have that same power."

Knowledge is power.

I repeat the words over again in my head.

Knowledge is power.

Is it really? Or is that just easier to say when you're an over 6 foot Fae Prince with possible elemental powers and an entire kingdom at your command?

But then again, maybe if I really did know the ways of the Fae, I'd have been able to follow him without getting caught and wouldn't be in this position to begin with. I can feel my pulse quicken as I look up at him, trying to decipher his intentions, the real meaning behind telling me that riddle. His eyes flicker with amusement, as if he's enjoying seeing me struggle with the puzzle he's presented.

"My father did not want me to have knowledge." I say this suddenly, and the thought leaves me before I can even process it myself.

The Prince's gaze softens at my unexpected confession.

"Not quite." For a moment, the Prince holds an expression that doesn't seem right on his features. One of confusion. "You are familiar with the ways of the fae. You simply... don't know it."

How could that be? Orion and Aunt Elora shielded me from any knowledge of that world, of his past.

"It's all there. Only, veiled in that simple human upbringing. Lessons from your father, most likely. And that Elora! Your holidays, that celebration of yours- Storm Rites. An entire village practicing basic Fae magic. It took seventeen summers to find you because of your Great Aunt. Clever woman!"

He laughs, and true admiration flashes in his dark eyes.

A flicker of understanding passes between us.

"Enough knowledge to keep me safe, but not enough to get me in trouble."

"You catch on quickly, Kaia. Perhaps there's hope yet. Orion tried his best to protect you, the Fae Realm is dangerous, especially for someone like you."

"I thought you said I didn't need protection."

The Prince smiles his favorite smile, the I-know-something-you-don't smile. There's a frozen cheeriness that slips out from behind the genuine giddy he gets from whatever hidden knowledge he has yet to tell me. The burden of whatever he must know, and the pride in being the only one to have figured it out.

"You don't."

The babies continuing piercing cry makes my teeth clench.

"So why did he go through all this trouble of protecting me? Of trying to make me forget? Why not tell me the truth about my mother being alive!"

Prince Noadok's smile fades into something ghost like. Instead of going darker like usual, and disappearing into a black void, his irises lighten like they're being lit up by a ray of hitting sunlight.

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"Because he is your father. And he loves you."

He disappears, almost like a mirage, a mere wavering image because of his speed and then he's right in front of the stone steps leading up to the cottage with the crying newborn.

"Kaia." I have been so focused on the Prince, I practically jump out of my skin at the sound of my father's voice.

He's walking down the path, eyes flickering between the Fae Prince and I. My heart slams against my chest, so hard I almost cover the spot with my hand as if my father could physically see the pounding. The muscles in Orion's jaw clench at the sight of us, a hand going to rest of the hilt of his sword. He rushes to my side, and even though I know the truth, I can't imagine what a version of me that doesn't remembered the storm and the prince would think at my father's behavior. There is no formality, only aggression.

"Greetings, again Orion. Such a pleasant village I have been fortunate enough to explore this morning. I figured you'd come to assist with the crying infant. Truly, your generosity is unparalleled."

"Thank you, Your Highness. We have been... honored by your presence. I trust you have been pleased so far with your visit?"

"Indeed. But it would be remiss to leave without a proper feast, don't you think? I have found myself rather taken with this quaint little village, it would be a great disservice to not partake in on of your festivities, I've heard so much about before my departure."

Orion's eyes narrow at the Prince's words, a silent challenge passing between the two men.

The crying of the babe intensifies.

The words hang heavy in the air, dripping with false honor and forced hospitality. "We'd be honored to host you, Prince Noadok," my father says with a stiff bow, his eyes never leaving the prince's face.

"Kaia," Orion called out to me, straightening. "Why don't you go into town and procure a feast for our gracious guest? Here," When I think he'll simply reach into his pouch, and withdraw a large handful of coins and the rest we could trade for, instead he hands the entire bag to me. "We must show His Majesty the best our town has to offer - wine, cheese, bread, dessert. Spare no expense and return with no leftover coins."

I stand agape for a moment. We've always hosted, over and over endlessly, season after season, but this is different. Not just a feast between a prince, Orion and I, but hosting the entire village?

"Nonesense!" The prince's laugh is like wind chimes, each note a playful, silvery ripple. "Take this."

The prince reveals hidden beneath the layer of his clothes, one necklace he had not given away, and I am reminded of the riddle of the swordsmen.

I am entirely still as Prince Noadok walks over, and places the shimmering pendant from around his neck into my outstretched hand.

There's an unexpected weight to the pendant. It shines of beautifully wrought gold, not silver, I note, like the rest of his jewelry had been. In laid with various iridescent jewels, two serpents open mouths form the clasp. The gemstones glimmer under the sunlight, casting saturated prismatic hues across my palm.

I manage to nod, my voice caught in my throat at the beauty. I look back and forth from my father to the Prince, willing myself to move, to go to the market place and trade the necklace like I'm supposed to. Orion only gives me a steady nod.

“Don’t be gone too long now, okay? Please.”

But I hear the warning. Stay safe, please.

Prince Noadok clears his throat. “I’ve heard word of your flute playing, Orion. You wouldn’t mind if I listened in while you worked your magic, would you?”

The way Prince Noadok says ‘magic’ sends a shiver down my spine. Orion’s fists clench before he responds.

“Of course, Your Highness. After you,” He gestures for the small cottage, with the sleep deprived babe.

I do not move even after they enter the cottage, and my father gives me an attempt of a smile, before they both slip inside. My limbs refuse to budge, my eyes aching to just stay still, and stare blindly at the pendant. After a minute or two, Orion’s melody on the flute floats out from the open bedroom window of the cottage, joining in the newborns screams. Little Liliana cries and cries still, softening, but still, not stopping. Like the voice of an angel, Prince Noadok’s low, soft hum starts, joining in my father’s flute.

It blends together like they are one in the same, and I blink, rooted in my spot, pendant heavy in hand and mesmerized by his voice. There’s a relaxing chill that spreads through me and protects me from the sun as it rises higher for the afternoon and begins to blare down.

When the babes cries soften to the sound of his voice, I’m able to begin with first one step, then another.

Finally, Liliana must be asleep, because she stops crying altogether, and I begin walking to the market.