Contents
7. Seven
Overview
After two weeks of isolation, Amara is finally approached by the fae king, who offers limited freedom: supervised access to the castle library. He reveals his name—Ezra Kincaid—and that she is his last hope to save cursed Orilon. A tense exchange forces Amara to share her full name, cementing their fraught connection.
Summary
Amara spends two weeks confined to her room, allowed out only for escorted dinners. Poppy brings meals, books, and new clothes but refuses to answer questions about the king or Orilon. Isolation deepens Amara’s homesickness and despair as she longs for Pendril and worries for Aunt Glenda and Jade.
One morning, the king knocks while Amara is fresh from the shower. Flustered by her state, he invites her to the library and waits outside. Amara dresses and follows, wary but eager to leave the room.
Walking the halls, Ezra coldly compliments her and calls her “sunshine.” When Amara withholds her name, Ezra introduces himself as Ezra Kincaid, the last King of Orilon. He explains that, due to a curse and dwindling fae numbers, other realms have abandoned them, and he believes Amara is his last hope to save the kingdom.
When Amara challenges his certainty, Ezra pins her with a wall of shadow and demands her name. Intimidated yet defiant, she states “Amara Smythe.” Satisfied, Ezra releases the shadows, steadies her, and resumes leading her onward.
They enter a vast two-level library. Ezra points her to the romance section Poppy said she likes, teasing her about it. He admits he had Poppy learn about Amara so he wouldn’t “waste time.” Before leaving, he sets terms: Amara may visit the library anytime if escorted by Poppy, but any attempt to go elsewhere will be punished. He vanishes, leaving Amara with new, constrained freedom.
Who Appears
- Amara SmytheHuman protagonist; isolated for two weeks, reveals her full name, gains limited library access under threat of punishment.
- Ezra KincaidWinged fae king of Orilon; reveals identity, calls Amara his last hope, asserts dominance with shadows, sets strict library-only freedom.
- PoppyCastle attendant; brings meals, books, and clothes, limits Amara’s movement, informs Ezra of Amara’s interests.