My Sorcerer

Chapter 19

It had been decided—he was no longer the person he once was. And so, she figured they could move forward from this. They would figure something out.

Just as they felt they had passed through the eye of the storm—the worst thing that could emerge in their relationship—there was a knock at the door.

Peirceton looked at her, and she at him. Neither knew who it could be, but they both worried it might be the hunters again. Peirceton had sent a not-so-subtle message about who he was and that she was important to him. If they had realized where he lived, they could have found her again.

Despite all the magical barriers Peirceton had placed around the home, another sorcerer, wizard, or someone with magical abilities could detect that something was there. They might not see what it was, but they would know something existed. However, to pass through those barriers was another matter. Whoever was at the door was either a very powerful enemy or a friend.

Peirceton didn’t seem too worried, but he still told her to hide in the bathroom and take Fang with her. She did as he asked and pressed her ear to the door, straining to hear what was being said.

She could hear him opening the door. But then nothing. It was as though something was blocking the sound. Had he cast a spell? She reached for the handle, intent on opening it, fearing something had happened to him, but she couldn't turn the handle. She wanted to believe in him, trust him. She let her hand drop from the doorknob, and then, she just waited.

A little while later, the door handle began to turn. Cora felt her heart clench as fear gripped her over who might be opening it.

The door slowly swung open, and Peirceton stood there, looking at her. “Everything is all right,” he said with a reassuring smile.

“Who was it?” she asked quickly, worried about who he had been forced to face.

“A friend. Kind of,” he responded cryptically.

“What do you mean?”

“Well, we used to be friends. Now… not so much. But he won’t harm you. I can promise you that.”

“Where is he? Why couldn’t I hear what was going on?”

“He tends to put up barriers when they’re in a room. It’s more of a habit than a necessity these days.” He stepped aside slightly. “He’s sitting on the sofa right now.”

“Why is he here?”

“Ask him yourself,” Peirceton said with a grin.

Cora cautiously walked past him toward the sofa. It took her a moment to fully process what she was seeing. He was a wolf. How could a wolf create a barrier? Wolves didn’t have magic… did they?

She stood there staring at him, uncertain what to say or even how to communicate with him. As though he could read her mind, she watched as he began to shift back to his human form. Before he completed the shift, she spun to face the opposite direction. She didn't turn back to face him until she was sure he had covered himself.

“Who are you?” she finally blurted out, asking the question Peirceton had conveniently ignored earlier.

“I suppose I’m a friend of Peirceton’s,” the wolf replied. “Although I’m not entirely sure how friendly we are at the moment.”

Just like Peirceton, his answers were cryptic.

“How were you able to create a barrier if you’re a wolf? Wolves don’t have magic,” she said.

“Very true. Wolves do not possess magic,” he agreed calmly. “However, if you’re only part wolf and your other parent has magic, it’s possible to inherit both abilities—the ability to shift and the ability to use magic. Though I’ll admit my magical abilities aren’t quite as strong as I would have liked.”

“Why do you say you aren’t friends with Peirceton anymore?” she asked, hoping this time for a direct answer.

“Well,” he began, “we were friends before he started a war. Then during the war, we tried to kill each other. After the war, we never really reconciled. So I wouldn’t say we’re enemies… but I wouldn’t exactly call us friends either. We’re simply… friendly.”

“Why have you come here?”

“I was asked to check on Peirceton.”

“Check on him for what?” she questioned.

“I was informed that Peirceton has had a bit of a change of heart,” he answered. “And apparently, he has a mate.”

“So you came to see whether he was lying about having a mate… and whether he’s actually changed?”

“In essence, yes.”

“And what have you decided?” she asked carefully.

The wolf studied her for a moment before responding. “I would say he truly has changed. Over the years, I could tell he regretted starting the war. But seeing him today—and seeing how he reacts to you—I can tell the change runs deeper than I ever imagined. The one who sent me will be very pleased.”

“You didn’t tell me someone sent you,” Peirceton suddenly cut in.

“Didn’t I?” the wolf smirked.

“No. I think I would have remembered that,” Peirceton sighed. “Was it her? Did she send you?”

“Who else would?”

“Who is she?” Cora questioned.

“You’ll find out soon enough,” the wolf replied with a small smile.

Then another knock echoed through the house.

“Step behind me,” Peirceton warned.

Cora immediately did as he instructed, moving behind him as he flicked his wrist and opened the door. Cautiously, she peeked around him and immediately noticed the woman standing there. She was elegant, composed, and carried herself with an unnatural grace that barely seemed human. It was the Fairy Queen.

Cora instantly stiffened. This was the woman connected to the war Peirceton had confessed to starting decades ago. She had seemed more welcoming when they had gone to her palace.

The Fairy Queen studied her quietly before finally speaking. “So you’ve been keeping her hidden away. It's nice to see you again." Her voice lightened when she was speaking to Cora, but still held some hostility when addressing Pierceton.

Cora stayed silent, uncertain what she was supposed to say in this moment. There seemed to be more going on than what was being said.

The Fairy Queen’s gaze softened slightly before shifting back toward Peirceton. “Has she decided?” she asked.

“She has,” he answered honestly.

“She has decided to stay even with all she now knows about you?” There was unmistakable surprise in her voice.

“I made my own choice,” Cora replied carefully.

The Fairy Queen watched her for a long moment before finally nodding. “Then perhaps you truly are different from the others.”

The room fell silent after that. And though tension still lingered heavily in the air, Cora realized something important as she stood beside Peirceton. For the first time since entering this strange world, she no longer felt like she was standing outside of it.

She was part of it now.