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I sigh in relief once the basilisk is truly gone.

There’s so much chaos and rubble that surrounds me.

The residents in the area, whose homes or establishments were destroyed, are slowly sifting through the fallen architecture—looking for heirlooms that can be salvaged.

If I’m being honest, the whole encounter puzzles me.

This prophecy is different from the first in several ways.

In truth, I hoped that when the time was right, Saoirse would tell me how to find the oracle so she could reveal the rest of the prophecy—not that an ancient basilisk would stalk me in the middle of the night.

Four sides to the coin, four pieces to the enigma— Saoirse starts.

Please speak plainly, Saoirse. What does that even mean? I ask, unable to hide my annoyance .

I can’t reveal all that I know, of which you’re well aware. However, now that the basilisk has found you, there is some knowledge that I may share, she replies.

You knew it would come for me? I ask.

Actually, I thought you would find it in Zulgalros, but it appears the ‘illustrious’ king had other intentions to expedite that plan, she says.

Does the king know who I am or where I come from? I inquire.

In a manner of speaking, but his knowledge isn’t my concern at the moment, she replies. The basilisk hails from the Abyss, but even it has to answer to Siorai. It gives riddles or even clues, but it can’t reveal all the eternal knowledge it possesses until the appointed time.

You said that the basilisk is only blessed with a portion of the prophecy, I say, thinking through everything I’ve recently heard. You both mentioned some nonsense referring to four sides of a coin.

This is the part that confuses me the most because what in all of bloody Celestae do four coins have to do with anything…

Unless…

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, Saoirse says.

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 I fear 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. “I hate that it’s you. The silent god could’ve chosen anyone, and he chose you .”

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.”