Page 310 of Cursed Evermore

Gods. Those were the same beings Marcus had spoken of at the rebel camp. Elariya and I exchanged a worried glance.

"Who are they?" I pressed.

"I do not know. And that is the very problem. Ishouldknow... The gods grant me sight of many threads, but there are forcesthat shroud themselves in veils older than mine. It blinds me where I should see, cloaked in a dark magic without signature."

"No signature." My gut twisted. It all tied together. "That's the same pattern we've been seeing here."

"I traced the first appearance back to your father's death, at the palace. The magic disguised itself then, weaving its true nature within the threads of the realm." Her gaze flickered, a shadow of fatigue dimming her light. "My sight could not detect it. Only now, with its strength growing, can I see it for what it truly was. That is why I couldn't give you the answers you sought from the start. The same cloak has kept you from reaching me."

"So even you can't see the full truth?" The words tasted like ash.

"No."

Gods above. That explained why she couldn't simply name my father's killer or locate the ring and be done with it. Fuck, if even she, with all her sight, could only glimpse fragments, then what hope did the rest of us have?

For a moment, the Seer’s gaze softened. "But destiny has a way of mending what is torn. Your message came to me from the afterlife. Through your mother."

My spirit lifted, a moment of reprieve in the dark. I recalled the strength my mother had given me on the mountain. I felt it again now. “You actually saw my mother?"

"I did. We are fortunate to have some light still on our side. Through her help, far more has been revealed to me than any of us anticipated. And yet much remains shrouded. I will cast what light I can. One truth is clear: our fates rest on finding the ring."

I dragged a hand through my hair, my shoulders bowing under the burden of defeat. "We have tried everything to find it, but there's a block we can't break."

Her gaze settled on Elariya. "There is a reason for that. Come closer, girl." Elariya glanced at me, her eyes seeking permission. I gave a slight nod, and she stepped toward the Seer.

The Seer pressed her palm to Elariya's brow. Silver charms chimed, then the Seer's eyes opened and she gave a small nod.

"What did you see?" Elariya asked eagerly.

"The extent of your power, child. I needed to see it for myself." Her focus sharpened. "The ring was clever. It tethered you as its tracker, and then it borrowed your magic to guard itself."

"What does that mean?" I moved closer, keeping Elariya in my sight.

"Time," she said. "Your mage's gift is time."

Elariya paled. "Time?Ican control time? In what ways?"

"As you did the other day when you aged the rebels by calling the years owed to them."

"I... thought I was just conjuring."

"No. Your power runs deeper. In a mix like yours—half human, half mage—the human blood gave a blank slate. But your ancient bloodline fed the magic inscribed in you, waiting to flourish. Crossing into the magical realm awakened it further. That is why you hear the dragon-song, why they answer your call. And now your strongest ability has risen:time magic. Yet it has always stirred within you."

Elariya's lips parted. "Always?" The single word lingered in the space between us, fragile and unbelieving.

A knot of ache pulled through me at the sight of her. So strong in spirit, yet trembling now beneath the weight of what she carried.

"Always," the Seer answered, her tone reflective. "Even when you portaled back in Stormfell, you slipped a few minutes back in time."

Elariya's eyes flew to mine. I had no words. The ability to control time was incredibly rare and more coveted than any other power I'd ever known.

She pressed a hand to her heart. "The memory loop..."

The Seer's expression dimmed. "Yes. The ring used your time gift to cast you into the loop."

Fuck.Of course, the damned thing would sink its claws into the very power that made her extraordinary.

"My own magic caused it?" Elariya's voice shook.