Page 27

Chapter 26

Scarlett

"A re you ready for this?” Sorin asked her, reaching over to tuck her hair behind her ear. She leaned into his touch, seeking out the comfort of his nearness. Because no, she was not ready for this.

She remembered, all those nights ago, sitting in a bath at his old apartment. She had just woken up after the party at the Pier. Cassius had been there and was going to meet Drake to ?nalize plans for a meeting with Callan.

“Everything’s about to change, isn’t it?”

“Yes, Seastar. Nothing will be the same again.”

And it had. Something new had been revealed nearly every single day after that it seemed, whether she was ready for it or not, and now here she stood, on the precipice of change again. She knew that answers she had sought for years were about to be given to her, and suddenly, she was not sure she wanted them. Suddenly, she understood what Cassius must have been feeling when he was about to meet Hazel. What he had to be feeling at the prospect of meeting his father.

“Scarlett.”

The murmur near her ear pulled her from her thoughts, and she smoothed her hands down the dress she’d changed into. She’d debated for over an hour about what to wear, Sorin patiently and repeatedly telling her to dress in whatever she felt comfortable in. When she’d ?nally snapped at him that she didn’t know what to wear for this occasion and he should just pick something out for her, he’d arched a brow from the sofa he’d been lounging on.

“You are asking me to tell you what to do?”

“No,” she’d said in exasperation. “I am asking you to tell me what to wear for an occasion that is making me uncomfortable and irrational.”

“Irrational?” he’d repeated. “As opposed to every other thing we face? When you act... rationally?”

“I hate you,” she’d grumbled, ?opping onto her back on the bed, tossing her arm over her eyes.

He’d chuckled lightly, and a moment later, the bed had dipped as he’d stretched out beside her, his head propped on his ?st as he looked down at her. “Talk to me, Love. You only get this unnecessarily dramatic when you are truly anxious.”

“Unnecessarily dramatic,” she’d mimicked.

“Words instead of violence. Look at you, Princess.” He’d caught the ?st swinging for his face with a dramatic sigh of his own. “And here I thought we were making progress.”

He’d kissed her knuckles before interlacing their ?ngers, waiting for her to start speaking.

“I am yours and you are mine,” she’d whispered.

“Nothing will change that. No matter what... what we learn tonight.”

She didn’t know why she’d needed this reassurance. Maybe she’d just needed to hear the words, let them settle into her soul.

He’d said the same thing to her then that he whispered to her now while they waited for Cethin at the entrance of his castle home. “All the way through darkness, my love, no matter what we discover in the shadows.”

Rustling on the stairs had her looking up to ?nd Cethin descending, Razik at his side, heads together in deep discussion. Was Razik joining them too? She’d been under the impression that it was only going to be the three of them.

“Scarlett. Sorin,” Cethin greeted when he reached the bottom. “We can go in a moment.” He turned back to Razik. “She is monitoring the east, but she is upset enough with me right now that—”

“She’ll be brash and impulsive? Imagine that,” Razik said dryly. “Do you want me here or there, Cethin? I am a being of many talents, but I cannot be in two places at once.”

Scarlett watched her brother’s jaw tense, a hand carving through silver hair. “Stay here. Let me know if you need anything.”

“Go, Cethin. All will be well,” Razik answered, jerking his chin at Scarlett and Sorin. “Rather let me know if you need anything.”

Then Razik was gone, stepping through the air, and Cethin turned to face them. “My apologies,” he said, a warm smile ?lling his face. “Drinks before dinner? I was hoping you would let me Travel us somewhere.”

“Somewhere else? For drinks?” Scarlett asked, Sorin’s hand coming to rest on the small of her back.

“Two on one. I think you will be safe if my intentions are untoward, don’t you think?” Cethin asked with a wink, extending a hand to her.

“Fine,” she conceded, placing her hand in his waiting palm.

They were pulled through the air, and when they emerged in their new location, she went still. The air smelled like night and starlight, and she didn’t know how that was even possible. The grass felt too soft beneath the slippers she wore, the stars and moon bright overhead.

She turned to Cethin. “This is where you would always bring me in the dreams.”

“It is,” he agreed almost tenderly. “I thought it might be comforting to be in somewhat familiar surroundings for this conversation.” He pointed to one side. “Back that way is Aimonway, across the Nightmist Mountains.” He shifted, pointing in another direction. “That way is Elshira and the Shira Forest.”

“And where are we now?” she asked, already sliding her feet from her slippers. She bent down and scooped them up with her ?ngers, Sorin immediately taking them from her.

“A countryside,” Cethin answered. “There is a small path a short way away that would lead to a small estate. It was where... ” He paused, shifting on his feet beside her. “It is a private residence of the king and queen.”

“So it is your residence then?”

“Yes, but I rarely go there,” Cethin answered. “There are too many memories. I spent a lot of time there with...”

“With our parents,” she ?nished for him.

She could just make out his nod in the glow of the stars above them, and she tossed some white ?ames up to illuminate the area further. “What were their names?”

“Our father’s name was Tethys.”

Was . Just as she’d expected, but it didn’t stop the ache that tightened in her chest.

“And our mother?”

“She was known to her people as Selinya.” Selinya.

Juliette had said that name. That Queen Selinya had hidden two of the seven Avonleyan keys.

Scarlett nodded, pressing her lips together at the unexpected emotion gathering at the back of her throat. At some point Sorin had slipped his hand into hers, and he squeezed her ?ngers gently.

“When did they... How did they die?”

Cethin did not answer for a long time, as if he were gathering himself as much as she was gathering her own emotions and tucking them away. “Our father died to get our mother out. So she could get you to the other continent.”

“What?” she demanded, rounding on Cethin.

“We were bound here, Scarlett. We could not leave the wards, not without a signi?cant cost. In this case, the cost was his life.”

She pulled her hand from Sorin’s, her ?ngers raking through her hair that she’d left down and loose around her shoulders.

“Our parents died because of me. To get me out,” she said, feeling the weight of that truth settle into her soul. Sorin was already reaching for her, spinning her by her shoulders, surely feeling the guilt she was taking on down their bond.

“No, Love. Do not do that. You are not responsible for their choices,” he said, his tone brokering no room for argument.

But there was room. Because those choices would not have needed to be made if she hadn’t...

If she hadn’t existed. “ Stop ,” he snarled.

“He is right, Scarlett. They would make the same choices all over again, do things exactly the same,” Cethin said gently.

“How can you possibly know that if they are no longer here?” she asked.

“Our father no longer lives, Star?re. But our mother does.”

Star?re.

She stepped out of Sorin’s hold and moved to face Cethin. “Our mother... My mother is alive?”

He nodded.

“Then where is she?”

“In Elshira.”

“In Shira Forest. Where the spirit animals reside,” Scarlett clari?ed.

“Yes.”

“Where we cannot freely travel. Why is she there?”

“Because that is where she is safe and what she guards is monitored. Until the Maraans are taken care of, and she can leave this world,” Cethin replied. At her confused stare, he pushed out a harsh breath. “There is no easy way to say this that will lessen the shock, so I am just going to say it, Scarlett. Our mother is Saylah.”

“Saylah,” Scarlett repeated.

“Yes.”

“Saylah. The goddess of night and shadows.”

“Yes.”

She couldn’t help the laughter that fell from her lips. “The daughter of Arius and Sera?na. That Saylah is our mother?”

Cethin nodded, his eyes narrowing as he watched her.

And then her laugher turned hysterical because what the actual fuck? He had to be kidding. It had to be some kind of prank, and a poor one at that. She was going to beat him senseless for playing her like this.

She sank to the too soft grass, her side beginning to cramp at the laughter while the two males stared down at her, concern growing on their faces.

“You are serious?” Sorin asked. “Saylah is your mother? And hers?”

“Yes.”

“So you two are, what? Gods as well?”

And that idea had Scarlett’s laughter starting all over again because this entire conversation was ludicrous. She was not a goddess. Her mother was not a goddess.

“No,” Cethin said slowly, his worry growing as he watched her. “Our father was not a god. He was Avonleyan. A descendant of Anahita.”

“A literal descendant of Anahita?” Sorin asked.

Scarlett was damn glad he was asking questions because she certainly couldn’t get control of herself enough to do so.

“All Avonleyans are descendants of the gods. The bloodline may be diluted or strengthened depending on parentage and ancestry,” Cethin explained. He lowered to a crouch before her. “Scarlett, are you all right?”

“I am fantastic,” she said, tears rolling down her face from the laughter that was ?nally starting to ebb. “Apparently I am some sort of deity or demigod.”

Cethin shook his head. “No, we are neither of those things. We are more powerful than a demigod, but not as powerful as a deity.” Scarlett blinked at him, swiping the tears from her face. “A demigod is the child of a god and a mortal. A deity is the child of a god and a magical bloodline.”

“But an Avonleyan is a magical bloodline,” Scarlett argued.

“Yes, but there is still mortal blood somewhere along the line because Avonleyans are descendants of demigods.”

Her nose scrunched as she tried to process this. “Then... what are we?”

Cethin shrugged. “We are... Avonleyans. The most powerful Avonleyans. You, in particular, are the most powerful Avonleyan because you also have Fae gifts.”

“Cethin?” Scarlett said, reaching for Sorin’s hand.

“Yes?”

Sorin pulled her to her feet as she said, “I need that drink now.”

She had needed some time to process the revelation of her heritage after Cethin had given them each a glass of wine. They’d wandered along the path that led to the country estate. Her brother seemed to understand she needed the silence, letting her think while Sorin asked basic questions about the kingdom.

When the estate had come into view, her footsteps had faltered. It was a beautiful three-story home. A well-kept iron fence surrounded the property. It was all well maintained. Cethin clearly made sure the entire estate never fell into ruin or disrepair. Scarlett would think someone actually lived there if she hadn’t already known the truth.

Cethin had offered to take her into the house, show her around, but he had seemed relieved when she had declined. It would have been too much for her to deal with tonight. It would have been too overwhelming to see what could have been. To see a home where she would have been loved, surrounded by a father and mother and brother rather than a Fellowship where she was trained to kill with girls bound to her as sisters.

They’d returned to the castle, where the three of them had shared a simple dinner in a small den that reminded Scarlett of their casual dining space in Solembra. She had felt like she was returning to something familiar when their ship had passed through those dark waters, cutting through darkness and shadows, but this was not home, even if it was where her blooded family resided.

She cut a glance to Sorin where he was seated beside her, a re?lled glass of wine in his hand as he listened to Cethin tell him of their agriculture system. She knew she should be listening, learning everything she could about this land, but her thoughts were all over the place. Sorin had relaxed more and more as the evening had worn on, he and Cethin falling into easy conversation. She should probably be getting to know her brother too, but again, she couldn’t get her thoughts to focus on anything right now.

Scarlett reached for her wineglass that had been re?lled... three times? Four? Whatever. It didn’t matter. Anyone would need alcohol upon learning their mother was an actual goddess. Speaking of which...

“Do you have water gifts too then? If our father was a descendant of Anahita?”

The attention of both males fell on her. Probably because she hadn’t said much throughout this dinner and had randomly interrupted their conversation.

Cethin pushed his empty plate off to the side, sliding his chair back slightly and settling back into his seat. “No. When two bloodlines come together, the child only receives the gifts of one. You and I are a bit of a special instance because there was an actual goddess involved, I suppose. But like anything else, the stronger the bloodlines are that come together, the stronger one’s gifts will be, whatever they emerge as.”

“Like Eliza’s ?re magic,” Sorin mused.

“But Cassius has both Witch gifts and... whatever his father’s gifts are,” Scarlett argued.

“He may have an af?nity for potions and tonics, but those are gifts of nature. Anyone can learn them. Yes, there are certain potions his Witch blood will allow him to create, but his father’s blood contributes to that as well. The Witches simply have an innate knowledge of which plants and ingredients are better suited for different potions. Same with wards. Any magic-wielder can create them. The Witches are simply more adept with them. I would venture to guess he cannot heal with a touch like his mother can or see the future like an Oracle,” Cethin replied. When her lips pursed as she thought about that, he added, “It is part of the balance. We get to be more powerful, but only with one set of gifts. But I would also venture to guess the sea calls to you.” She turned incredulous eyes to him to ?nd a knowing smile playing on his lips. “You think best with the sound of the waves, yes?”

She nodded slowly.

Something wistful crossed his face, and Cethin took a drink of his wine. “Our father was the one who chose the new capital to be Aimonway. He wanted to be next to the water. Before the Wards went up, he would spend weeks at a time on the water. He would get agitated being cooped up in Elshira for too long, so far from the sea.”

Scarlett swallowed thickly, trying to piece together this picture of her father in her mind. She had assumed her love of the sea came from Eliné, from having her gifts. To know it came from her father did something to her she wasn’t entirely sure what to do with. Eliné had told her that her father was a sailor. I guess it hadn’t been a complete lie.

Love?

She glanced up, ?nding golden eyes ?lled with so much warmth and love staring back at her, and she gave him a sad smile.

Tonight is hard, she answered.

I know. What do you need?

I honestly do not know.

“The twin ?ame bond is a beautiful thing to witness,” Cethin said softly.

Scarlett started, her cheeks heating. She had brie?y forgotten he was here.

She cleared her throat. “Yes, well, it can be a right pain in my ass at times as well.” Her cheeks ?ared hotter as she felt Sorin drag his magic along her skin, her magic lifting its head in response.

Cethin chuckled, reaching to re?ll their wine glasses yet again. “Is your wife your twin ?ame?” Scarlett asked.

She saw him stiffen a touch, tipping the bottle to her glass. “No. Kailia is not my twin ?ame, but I assure you, she is just as big of a pain in my ass.”

Scarlett snorted. “I look forward to meeting her then. As soon as you deem me no longer a threat, of course.”

“And you, Star?re? Have I earned the same? Do you consider me the ally you hoped you would ?nd when you set sail for these shores?” he asked, swirling his wine glass slowly.

She shrugged. “I suppose I would not consider you an enemy at this point. It appears we want the same things.”

“And what of your heritage? It will need to be announced soon that you are here,” Cethin said carefully. “Not only as a foreign Fae Queen, but as the princess of this kingdom.”

She jolted, wine sloshing over the side of her glass and onto the emerald green dress she was wearing. She swore, blotting at the spilled wine. “Why do we need to tell them that?”

“They will be joyous to hear such a thing,” Cethin answered. “I have kept your true identity a secret from most, but you will give them hope when they have not had any for centuries.”

“Hope for what?”

“They used to be able to move freely, Scarlett. Travel where they wished. But also, their access to the Fae was cut off.”

“Their access to their power sources,” she said, her tone hardening. “That is what this is about?”

Gods. Had Talwyn been right all along?

“Of course not. Not all of it, at least,” Cethin quickly amended.

“And how will my existence give them any hope?” she pressed. “I do not have any idea how to bring down these Wards. Even if I did, I doubt they want that just to let Alaric and the seraphs into these lands.”

Cethin set his wineglass down and got abruptly to his feet. “Come. There is something I want to show you.”

“Right now? We are in the middle of a conversation,” Scarlett argued, tentatively setting her glass down. Sorin was already standing, reaching for her.

“Yes, now,” Cethin clipped out. He held a hand out for her to take.

Apparently they were Traveling again.

When they stepped from the air, she breathed deeply, the sea mist ?lling her senses. There were tall posts with soft glowing ?ames in them illuminating the area where they were standing. They were a little ways inland, but she could still hear the waves crashing against the rocks. Below her bare feet were dark stones, carefully arranged. Small bushes with blooming ?owers ran along the edge of the circular area, and in the very center was a statue of a woman.

The statue was black stone, and easily six feet tall. Even taller because it sat atop a pedestal. Scarlett reached out, her ?ngers skimming the smooth surface of the base.

“This is nightstone,” she whispered.

“It is,” Cethin agreed.

“Who is she?”

Scarlett tilted her head back, trying to make out the details in the night. She wore a simple dress, her hair long and loose with slight curls to it as it cascaded down her back. She appeared older, like a mortal in the later stages of life.

“Her name was Sidora,” Cethin said. “She was a Witch with a gift of prophecy.”

“An Oracle then,” Scarlett said, trying to gather her thoughts amid the alcohol she had consumed.

“More than that,” Cethin said. “She was the one who created the spell that put the Wards in place around our lands. It was strong and powerful magic. Continues to be so because of her sacri?ce. Our people were fearful and hopeless. The Great War had been raging on for decades, and our parents were desperate to save their people, willing to do just about anything to give them a reprieve while we regrouped. The Wards were that answer, and before they went up, Sidora gave one last prophecy.”

He pointed at the base where words were etched in the Avonleyan language.

When Ashes Meld with Shadows,

When Stars and Dreams Collide,

When Night and Darkness Meet,

She will return with the ?re of the stars.

Brother of the throne,

Hope will rise,

And the Prince will fall.

For Darkness takes it all.

“This... could mean anything,” Scarlett sputtered. “Oracles are notorious for being vague and unhelpful.” She looked over her shoulder at the males behind her, their faces saying they already believed this to be her. She ?ung a hand at the inscription. “This could be Saylah herself. Maybe Temural occupies a throne where he is these days. The Prince could mean any one of the Fae Princes.”

“The people of Avonleya believed Selinya to be a descendant of Saylah. They do not know she was Saylah herself. Only our father and a few select others knew that. Sidora was one of those few. She came with Saylah when she came to this world,” Cethin said, his tone tense and impatient.

“Then how do they believe she died?” Scarlett demanded, whirling to face him. Her shadows rose up, the wine and her emotions making it too dif?cult to control them right now. “What kind of queen lets her people think she has died?”

“The kind who feels guilty for bringing this upon them in the ?rst place,” Cethin spat back. “The kind who is doing everything in her power to ?x this, to leave this world so her people can live the quiet lives they deserve.”

Darkness pooled around his feet like ink, blacker than the night in which they stood. It was night itself. He had shadows of his own, different from hers, but also somehow the same.

“Both of you need to take a breath,” Sorin ground out, ?re ?ickering in his eyes.

“It’s just a little sibling spat,” Scarlett sneered, lifting a palm and letting white ?ames ?are to life.

“Oh, look.” Cethin smirked. “ Fire of the stars. ”

Scarlett instantly closed her ?st, the ?ames extinguishing. “What?”

“Those white ?ames? That is star?re,” Cethin said. “A gift of Sera?na herself. Our grandmother. It ?ows in our veins and manifested in you. Where did you think the name came from?”

“You have this gift too, then?” Scarlett asked.

“No,” Cethin answered. And then she felt her power draining as his darkness latched onto her shadows. “I inherited Arius’s gift of being able to sense power and end it.”

He released her then, and she sucked in a sharp breath. “Alaric can do that,” she rasped.

“He killed a Legacy of Arius to obtain that power,” Cethin answered. “It was a strategic move on his part, but also a foolish one.”

“Does not seem all that foolish to me,” Scarlett said. “He can literally take my power from me to strengthen his own.”

“True, but he would have been better off stealing a gift not found in this world,” Cethin answered, a sly grin ?lling his face. “Because I can train you to defend against him, Scarlett. Together we can free our people—both in Avonleya and those across the sea. Together, he will fall, and the Darkness will take it all.”