Page 70 of Where Darkness Falls

Are there four prophecies in Celestae?I ask Saoirse.

Saoirse emits a low approving growl.

You are a clever one, my dear,she coos.Yes, four sides to the coin means four pieces to the prophecy. Siorai created the prophecy for when the Na Fíréin would rise to bring peace to the darkened world. Each kingdom was blessed with only one portion of the divination, separating the full prophecy into four parts. Those entrusted with the knowledge were forbidden from revealing their sides of it to anyone until the appointed time. You received the first part in Aurelius, as you know. You’re the key to awakening the Na Fíréin, my dear. Now, you must discover the truths in this next portion.

Does King Tiernan know of the prophecy from Zulgalros?I ask.

In a manner of speaking, my dear. It’s the reason why he sent the basilisk to you as a test,she replies.To ensure you’re the one he seeks.

And I passed his test?I ask.

Unfortunately,Saoirsesays.

There is a sharp intake of air behind me, bringing me back to standing in the rubble of Delerauh. Riordan and Laisren are helping Virgil sit down atop the debris. It’s only then that I see the jagged shards of the roof jutting out from his armor. Did that happen when the inn collapsed?

I rush over to him, but Emyr grabs my arm, spinning me around to face him. His golden eyes scan my features as if looking for something specific. They are an enigma of their own design; they are both fire and ice—warmth and cold. For a moment, I desire to stay within the warmth of his gaze, but I know I’ll only be met with the bitter iciness of his personality.

“Are you going to explain what the bloody Celestae that display was about, Rosey?” he whispers.

I furrow my brows, throwing daggers at him mentally. “I’m not sure which display you’re referring to, High General,” I retort.

“You know bloody well what I mean,” he growls. “You shouldn’t have allowed that snake to taste your ability.”

“What I choose to do is none of your concern, considering if I hadn’t, we’d all be dead,” I sneer.

A glimmer of an emotion flutters in his eyes. It’s so fleeting that I would’ve missed it if I hadn’t been watching him so closely.Worry.He’s worried, but for what reason? I saved us by complying. Since I passed his king’s test, he should be more than thrilled.

“You’re really her, aren’t you?” he whispers sorrowfully. “This isn’t a trick?”

For the briefest of moments, I wish to ease the trepidation swirling there. However, when Virgil hisses through his teeth, as the shards are removed from his back, I’m reminded who this man is and why comforting him would be the worst idea.

“If you’re asking if I’m a part of the prophecy, then I suppose the correct answer is yes, since I passed the ‘test,’” I reply.

Emyr nods, the creaking sound of his helmet causing my teeth to grind together. We stand there in silence for so long that Ifear he’s become a statue. So many thoughts seem to be at war behind his eyes that I can’t decipher.

“High Gener–”

“I wish you weren’t,” he interrupts, venom lacing each word. “Ihatethat it’s you. The silent god could’ve chosen anyone, and he choseyou.”

Stunned by his outburst, I back away slowly. “Trust me, I wish it was anyone else,” I seethe. “The last thing I desired was to be shackled to a vile king and his general who only finds pleasure in another’s weakness and suffering.”

Then, I’m moving away from the angry general, hoping that the distance will keep me from allowing my starlight to strangle him.How dare he say such cruel things?Does he truly believe that I wished for this life?

Believe me, I’d rather have my family back and be no one of consequence back in Aurelius.

I’m only a few steps away when he speaks in a tone softer than I’ve heard him use before. “I’m not an evil man, Maeva. I’m just a fractured one.”

“I’m sorry?”I inquire as I turn to face him.

He didn’t call me Rosey.

He called me Maeva.

Just Maeva.

I think that’s the first time he’s actually used my name, and he said it with such tenderness. He slowly closes the distance between us, looking down at me.

“I’m not evil, despite what you believe. You carry so many of your own burdens, so I’ll share one of my own with you,” he says. “Not all of us born in the darkness wish to succumb to it. I-I just wanted you to know that.”