Last of Her Kind (Book 1, Part 1, of the LAST series)

“…up. But, he will be alright. He just needs to heal.”

“And what of Fae? Its been a week, and she still hasn’t woken up.”

“Now that, I’m unsure.”

The voices were quiet and familiar. Nissa and Azriel. They were okay. I tried to move, but my body wouldn’t allow it. I tried to force my eyes opened, but they remained closed.

What was happening?

“…of reasons.” Continued Nissa. “It could be that all the power she had unleashed strained her. Her body couldn’t take it. She hasn’t used her power much, so her body and mind were not prepared for it, especially at that capacity.”

“So, it’s a waiting game?”

“Yes. It’s unclear how long she may be like this.”

I could feel my mind pulling me back under, and I allowed it, welcoming the darkness once again.

***

I lay back on the soft grass in the middle of the woods, staring up at the light blue sky visible through the canopy of trees. My eyes lazily traced the shapes of the clouds as they drifted by.

Bunny.

Three-legged dog.

A tree.

Whale.

A small smile tugged at my lips when I saw the whale-shaped cloud. Inhaling deeply, I closed my eyes, letting the peaceful sounds of chirping birds wash over me. For once, my mind was quiet. These moments were rare—when everything in me calmed and I could just exist, without worry, without the noise.

But then, faint giggling shattered the stillness.

My eyes flew open, and I scrambled to my feet, quickly ducking behind a nearby tree. I peeked around it and froze.

A young couple was walking hand in hand, weaving through the woods as if they were the only ones in the world. They looked so... happy. The boy twirled the girl under his arm, her laughter ringing through the trees, light and carefree. My chest tightened with a pang of envy. They radiated a warmth I couldn’t help but long for. Then, with a playful grin, he scooped her up into his arms and carried her out of sight.

I leaned back against the tree, my heart heavy. Would I ever have that? Would anyone ever treasure me like that? Hold me close, the way he held her?

A memory surfaced—me, as a teenager, dancing alone in the rain, pretending I was twirling with the boy from my dreams.

My fingers brushed the bark of the tree as I closed my eyes, fighting the feeling of longing that crept into my chest. I hated how much I wanted it. Hated how seeing them made my heart ache with something so simple, yet so distant.

I inhaled deeply, letting out a shaky breath.

Would I ever fall in love, if I wasn’t an elf? Would there ever be a chance for me to have a child, to grow old with someone who loved me? To live a life that felt... whole?