Page 91 of The Freedom You Seek

“He isn’t. But he has too much backing from the most powerful fae in existence. As of now, no one would even dare to think of challenging him. If everyone would unite against him, there could be hope for a better Galanta—”

“Isn’t?”

“Yes, Galrach is very much alive and in power.”

“But this war you spoke of took place two hundred winters ago. How is it possible that he’s still king?”

“Fae live a lot longer than humans. Two millennia is average for them, three or even four isn’t unheard of. So yes, they have a long time to wreak havoc. But here I am, rambling about politics when there are much more important things to discuss. Amalach. Or, as it’s called across Ivreia, the forbidden no-gods’-land or Godless City.”

My eyes widened. I’d heard that term. Everyone had. “It’s punishable by death to enter the no-gods’-land. It’s too dangerous because the ground itself is cursed.” I felt slightly dizzy from all the revelations, and Dion must have noticed my discomfort because he gently took my hand. I allowed him, and it indeed grounded me.

Larithia sneered at our interlocked hands, but she didn’t comment on it. “That’s what the royals told the common people. In reality, there’s too much that they haven’t been able to conceal. Books hidden by magic, artifacts behind protective seals, and so much more. The numerous abandoned fae households alone would raise unwanted questions should someone stumble upon the remnants, as they are still different enough from those found in the rest ofIvreia. So, of course, no one is allowed to enter the ruins of what once was Amalach, even to this day, or else the truth might come out. The Ivreian royals try to clean up the evidence from time to time, but the magic sits too deep in the Lost City’s remains for them to succeed.”

“You know a lot about the true forbidden history. How did you learn so much?”

“Because I’d been there when Amalach fell. I was only a child—and later that night, an orphan—frightened and alone.”

My eyes snapped back to Larithia’s ears before I could stop myself. Still round and human-looking like mine. But if Amalach fell two centuries ago, she couldn’t be human.

“You’re half-fae,” Dion finally said, nodding, and the riddle finally made sense to me. Those eyes that gleamed so differently and the otherwise so regular appearance—apart from her extremely good looks—it made sense that she wasn’t completely human. And this was the exact moment that I comprehended that all I’d learned was really true. Therewasanother sentient species existing. Meeting someone bearing some traits had a completely different impact than just being told of their existence.

“I am. My mother was human, my father fae. Such relationships were rare—since fae think they’re the far superior species, and humans have always been suspicious and prejudiced against them—but they happened. But I digress.” Larithia finished her tea and placed her cup down on the saucer. “This isn’t about me or my parents.”

Her eyes turned bright white all of a sudden and lost their focus. I wanted to shake her, but Dion held me back, never diverting his attention from the seer.

It only dawned on me that she must have some sort of vision when her melodic voice filled the room, sounding distorted and far away.

“Chance brought you together, the two of you sitting before me. Wielder and Amplifier you are, but yet—incomplete. The five sacred ways could be yours, five different ties to form, to possess, to protect—or to break again. Important decisions can’t be delayed. Change or downfall, no one knows. The future is always in motion, and many players are hopeful to be part of altering its shape. The wheels have been set in motion once more, but your fate—like no fate ever—isn’t set in stone. The choice will always be yours. If you accept, start where history ended to seek a chance to enter the battle for the future.”

As suddenly as they had clouded, Larithia’s eyes cleared again, and she faced us with a dazed expression. She rubbed her forehead lightly as if she needed to ground herself, and a small groan told me she was in discomfort.

Dion was the first to speak. “You had a vision, and it sounded vague.”

“That‘s how my visions are. Did you think they’d be like medical consultations? Drink this tea five times a day, and the worlds will be saved? Bah! Everything depends on choices. Only one thing is clear: you two and your company are entangled with fate, and the events started to unfold many winters ago.” Larithia fixed Dion with her gaze appraisingly before she got up.

Dion and I looked at each other, and all my fear and confusion must have been visible, while nothing in his eyes was too reassuring either. He was just as shaken as me.

The seer returned from next door and placed a beautiful wooden box on the table. The dark lid’s intricate pattern of inlays in the shape of whirls and waves gleamed like mother-of-pearl, and I had to admire its beauty for a moment.

“Don’t think that my opinion of you has changed.” Larithia faced Dion again. The seer had switched from talking only to me to addressing him exclusively. Curious. “I’m almost certain I’ll regret giving this to you.”

Dion didn’t answer, just pulled the box closer before carefully opening the cover. His eyes widened, and reverence was written in them as he looked inside. Of course, I couldn’t resist the temptation to gaze into the small case as well.

A dagger and a deep plate were displayed on a bed of the most vibrant amethyst-colored velvet I’d ever seen. The delicate set was crafted from silver, and the complex ornamental designs etched inside the material were so delicate, they appeared otherworldly.

“The Dagger of Kalag and the Vessel of Immaru.” I’d never heard Dion sound so shaky before, and when he closed the lid, his hands trembled as much as his voice had just moments ago. “They’d been lost,” he added in disbelief.

I caught myself staring at Dion. “Kalag and Immaru? Like the—”

“Gods, yes. It’s said they personally gave those relics to the first magically gifted inhabitants of the worlds. Andbefore you ask, no, they don’t have special powers. Not like that.” The seer watched us carefully.

Dion nodded. “Yes, their meaning is purely ceremonial.” He opened his mouth to say more, but he stopped himself and winced as he averted his gaze from me.

“What?”

“Never mind, Nayana.”

“Tell me, Dion, or by the gods, I swear I’ll make you.”