Chapter 272

• Mother, sister, or maybe even a distant cousin—her connection to Leonardo was unclear. She looked close to my age, with rich chocolate-brown hair tied back and spilling over her shoulder in a thick braid, glinting with tiny crystals like flecks of starlight. Loose curls framed her angular face, brushing her sharp jawline with elegance. Her attire was both practical and luxurious, a fitted tunic as pale as her eyes, paired with knee-high white leather boots lined in fur at the collar, as though she were prepared to brave a tundra rather than the humid forest.
• She had the timeless beauty of all Fae, her large, doe-like eyes shimmering with a glacial intelligence that said she already knew who I was. The thought sent a chill through me, wondering what she intended to do with that knowledge. Across her forehead, she wore a silver wreath, crafted from shards that looked like they could draw blood with a touch. She was royalty, that much was certain.
• “Now, aren’t you glad I decided to stop by for a visit?” came a second voice, lilting and sharp. Another Fae stepped into view—a stark contrast to the first. Her hair was black as midnight, cascading straight down her back. Her face wasn’t as sharp, but her eyes sparkled like distant stars, holding a darkness that matched her companion’s pale features. Her tunic and trousers were a deep, stormy blue, and she seemed as though she might disappear into the shadows at any moment.