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“Not in the way you are thinking. Over time, my bond with the Archives deepened.” She looked around us, my gaze following hers. “I am its guardian, and in turn, its waters sustain me. I knew when you entered, knew immediately you would fulfill the prophecy. The reason, I believe, is that the Archives’ magic sustains me.”

She was vaelith because of her connection to this place. I’d never heard of something like it before. Elydor’s magic never ceased to amaze me. But that still didn’t explain the voice.

“Prophecy?” I asked, just realizing fully what she’d said.

“One I discovered centuries ago, hidden among the scrolls that have taken my lifetime to read. How did you find me?”

Her abrupt change of topic startled me. “I… A voice told me to look down. When I did, a glowing line led to you.”

“The Archives aid those whose intentions are pure, though not usually in such a way. But you are The Keeper, so it does not surprise me you were led directly here. As to the prophecy… when King Balthor closed the Aetherian Gate, I searched for clues on how to reopen it. Beyond a connection to the original artifacts each clan was gifted to enhance their leader’s abilities, I was unable to discover anything of more use to King Galfrid. However, like you, I was led to an ancient text. In it, a long-lost prophecy that would have meant little to me before. ‘When the bridge falters and the realms fracture, a child of two paths will guide The Keeper to their destiny.’ For the first time, I understood why I’d been kept alive these many years.”

A child of two paths. Seren.

“What does it mean? What is my destiny?”

The hope that swelled within me was immediately dashed at Seren’s expression. If she were to guide me, to restore the Gate between this world and the one of my ancestors, Seren did not know how. She was as confused as me.

“Perhaps you can tell me why you are here?”

I told Seren of my mission. Of visiting The Moonlit Current and meeting Nerithia and returning to receive her message. I told her of Nerys’s plan, and as I spoke, her cool eyes seemed to warm. Opening myself to her, I felt hope, but also understanding. She’d put the puzzle pieces together, I was sure of it.

“Does it make sense to you now?” I asked. “Do you know my destiny?”

“I do,” she said with a sigh that felt, to me, a long time in coming. “Sometimes, we fight what we know to be true because it is not the path we expected. Accept what is, be where your feet are, and you’ll find peace, Sir Rowan of Estmere. And with luck, I will too.”

30

NERYS

“She kicked me out.”

Marek jumped back, narrowly avoiding being soaked, although it would only have been a temporary condition. Evaporation was advanced water-wielding, but Marek could do it as easily as me.

“Seren has little patience for those who dislike books and reading. She knows you well. Is Rowan with her?”

“He is. Guess your human likes books.”

“You had no troubles at the palace?” Caelum asked.

Marek looked at him as if Caelum were a young one. “Have I ever had difficulty smug— transporting someone, or something, without being detected?”

I rolled my eyes. “I know about your smuggling, Marek, and am not certain who you believe you’re deceiving.”

He cleared his throat. “As the future queen of Thalassaria, it’s best you know as little as possible.”

I opened my mouth to argue, but thought better of it. Perhaps he was right.

“How did you get inside here?” I’d half-expected to find Marek and Rowan on the Archives’ doorstep, knowing full well he was not granted right of entry.

“Interesting story about that. I traded a moonstone shard with… a questionable character in Gyoria. He…” Marek stopped. “It occurs to me, it’s best you not know that story either.”

“When Nerys becomes queen,” Caelum said, laughter in his voice, “how will the two of you converse?”

“I have a very legitimate business as Navarch we can discuss.”

“At present, I’d like to discuss the reason you took Rowan here in the middle of the night.”

“He asked.”