Macy POV
I fade in and out of consciousness. I am not sure how long I have been fighting to stay awake, but each time I manage to stay awake for more than a few moments, my eyes drift back shut. It is silent inside my mind without Nyx there, and I am beginning to feel lost.
As I struggle against the darkness, voices begin to fill my mind. One I recognize. It is Nyx, but the other is not a voice I have heard before, but it is strangely familiar.
"You can't keep her asleep forever," Nyx grumbles. "You have to face what you have done. Unless you are afraid."
"I am not afraid," the man replies. "I am just waiting for the right time."
"When will that be Cassian?" Nyx hisses. "Her mates will not die. They are lycan. They will come looking for her."
"I am not concerned with her mates," Cassian snorts. "They are not worthy of a Fae Princess."
"They are Princes in their own right," Nyx sighs. "She cares for them. Eventually, you will have to explain why you stole her in broad daylight."
"We have been watching from this side of the portal for far too long," Cassian grunts. "She should have been brought to us immediately."
"There were circumstances," Nyx skirts around the issue.
"You mean that ridiculous prophecy," Cassian laughs. "It was obviously referring to her. Now that she has been removed from the Human Realm, it can go back to whatever it considers peace."
"Are you going to stand up for your daughter?" Nyx shouts.
Then, a voice I have not heard in too many months joins the conversation. "I don't know what to think," Mom sighs. "We gave up our home to come here and support whatever Macy needs, but taking her from her mates is wrong."
"The Human Realm is not your home," Cassian raises his voice. "You are my child. You belong here."
"If that is the case, why wasn't I brought here with you after my mother died?" Mom snaps at him.
"It is complicated," Cassian groans. "All that matters is you are here now."
"Of course," Mom spits. "Let's just forget the years of abuse I suffered because you left me behind."
"I can't tell if you are being sarcastic or not," Cassian responds.
I have heard enough and fight against the darkness that is holding me prisoner in my mind. The voice that continually tells me to sleep is growing louder, but I stand firm against it—refusing to sleep any longer. The voice becomes silent, and the darkness recedes from my mind. My eyes flutter open, and I squint against the light in the room.
I lay silently on my back and wait for someone to notice I am awake, but they are too busy arguing. I sigh loudly, but it still doesn't draw their attention. Someone squeezes my hand, and I turn my head to see Dad smiling at me. Dad and Father are sitting by my bed. They are smiling, but it isn't a genuine smile.
"Hello," Dad whispers. "They have been arguing for days."
I press my hand to my forehead and try to push myself by my elbows, only to find myself pulled back down by something. I try to sit up again, but I notice my elbows digging into massive feathers on the bed. I grunt as I try to maneuver myself in the bed, and suddenly, everyone in the room is looking at me.
A woman with bright blue eyes and silver hair stares at me. I know her instantly. "Nyx," I whisper as I look at her fae form. "You are beautiful."
"Careful," Nyx whispers. "It takes a moment to get used to having wings."
"Wings?" I reply as Nyx helps me to sit up.
Looking behind me, I see massive black, feathered wings. A noise between a giggle and a gasp escapes my lips. I attempt to move them but tilt myself off balance and tumble off the bed. Mom and Nyx are instantly on either side of me, helping me to my feet.
The wings are heavier than I expected, and I stumble backward as I try to catch my balance. Everyone in the room is watching me with deadly silence. Presumably, they are all waiting for me to freak out. I would like to say that I have no intention of causing a scene, but that would be a lie.
I turn to the only person in the room that I do not know. "You must be Cassian."
He smirks, and he reminds me so much of my mother. I try not to let that soften my reserve. I have every right to be angry that I am here, even though I was planning on coming here on my own.
"I am," he responds.
"Why did you bring my mother and fathers but not my mates?" I demand to know.
Cassian narrows his eyes at me, and Nyx sucks in a sharp breath. He isn't used to being challenged, but I don't care.
"Your mates are not ready for the Immortal Realm," he replies.
"Why?" I ask, not taking my eyes off his.
"They are too concerned about the Human Realm. When they no longer care about the Human Realm, they are welcome." Cassian is telling the truth, but it is also a lie. He knows as well as I do that the twins will never stop caring about their home.
"What about me?" I snap. "I still care about the Human Realm, and I am sure my parents do as well."
"This can be discussed later," Cassian grumbles. "Since you are awake, I would like to show you around."
I chew on my bottom lip angrily. I want to protest. I want to scream for him to return to get my mates, but I decide to choose my battles. For now, I will play nice until I can return to get Edward and Winston.
"I will help you get dressed," Nyx says sweetly. "It can be difficult with wings."
Cassian's face is twisted awkwardly. He is choosing not to say what is on his mind. "Meet us in the Great Hall when you are finished. I want her to meet Destin before the day is over."
Everyone but Nyx and my mother follow Cassian out of the room. I wait for one of them to explain who Destin is, but they both seem to be tight lipped about the subject. Mom disappears into the closet and returns with a pink floral gown.
"You have got to be kidding me," I groan. "I would rather die."
"There is nothing in your signature color," Mom smirks.
I push past her into the closet and groan when I see the gowns. All of them are pastels. I hate pastels. I ruffle through the gowns, trying to find something suitable.
"Where are the clothes I came in?" I ask Nyx.
"They won't fit over your wings," Nyx reminds me.
"We will find a way," I hiss. "Find me some scissors."