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She knew everything, including that it was pointless to fight at this juncture. Her mind flicked through all the infinite possibilities as she was led out of the tent like some prized pet.

For attached to the collar was a leash that Aneirin waved to the jeering masses like a trophy.

“Hail, the new Queen of Ages!” he declared to a ripple of mocking laughter that rolled through the ranks.

Taly could feel the goddess’ anger bristle. Their lack of respect had been noted—and would be corrected in time. Thus, it was foretold.

The Aion Gate loomed over the landscape. He thrust her in front of it. In the shadow of the towering dimensional gate, the air crackled with an electric anticipation.

It recognized her. The Gate knew this power inside her, and it welcomed her like an old friend.

“Open it,” Aneirin demanded. “I will not ask twice.”

To make his point, the guards dragged Aimee in front of her.

Open it now, or she dies—the message was clear.

Tears streaked Aimee’s cheeks above the gag in her mouth.I’m sorry,her eyes said.I’m so sorry.

The collar around Taly’s neck was removed. The effect was immediate. The air around her ignited, golden light flaring as the full force of the Time Shard’s power surged through her veins like molten ore.

It roared through her, branding her insides, smelting flesh from spirit.

It filled her to the edges of herself, poured into every empty place, every forgotten scar.

And when it had no other place to go, when she could hold no more—it erupted, a blinding cascade of brilliance that swallowed the field.

From her back, wings of pure aether unfurled, an uncontainable spill of power. Shimmering arcs, each strand of energy was alive, weaving and dancing like sunlight shattered across still water.

She was not just Taly anymore. She was Time reborn.

And as the goddess’ presence swelled, a tidal wave threatening to sweep her soul out to sea, a sudden, sharp pain tightened in Taly’s back. It bit into her like a claw, fierce and grounding.

Ivain was right. It did help. The sting of the thorns tethered her, just enough to bring her back to herself.

For now, at least, she had control.

The full might of the Time Shard flowed through her as she stood before the Aion Gate, a winged figure draped in light and shadow. Ancient machinery hummed, alive with power.

She reached out to touch the smooth crystal surface. The glowing stone gave, pressing inward.

Energy surged. Time bent around her.

And the Aion Gate finally opened.

Chapter 83

At ten years old, Skye made a vow. Whenever Taly needed him, he’d be there. He would be her hero.

Of course, he’d been an idiot then. He was only ten—it was built in. He’d assumed, foolishly and naively, that he would only need to protect her from his family’s rivals. He hadn’t anticipated that the true enemy would indeed be herself.

Taly was human. Fragile. And she wasalwaysgetting hurt. Falling down or stubbing her toes, and Shards the bleeding. Humansbledall the time—skinning their knees and elbows, cutting themselves. And the females, it turned out, once they were of a certain age, bled for no reason whatsoever.

If he could do it again, he would choose a friend that was a little hardier, but that ship had sailed. He already really liked this one.

He couldn’t remake Whirr. The parts had come from his family’s factories, most of them proprietary. So, Skye came up with other solutions.

A bracelet that emitted a protective aura, absorbing small impacts—she broke it.