With Galen missing, Sorin, Sam, and Jarek reconnected with Alaric and despite their instinct to stay and fight, the crew decided it best to head back to Wickersham and recoup before forming a new plan to save their friends.
Once back at Valebridge, Elora was thrown into the dungeons. She waited for King Roman to show himself but when a visitor finally came, it wasn’t who she expected.
Galen stepped forth, shattering everything Elora thought she knew. With Elora’s magick nullified from Galen’s tonics and herbody safely away from him, he explained the longevity of his plans.
First, find the Dyrsjel. Then, find the Awakening Stones. Lastly, use the two together to harvest any and all magick Mother Gaia had to offer in order to bring power to he and his partner, King Roman, and to bring justice for the murder of his sister.
Galen will show no mercy and will stop at nothing to get what he wants.
It’s only a matter of time.
Elwyn
They sayit’s a funny thing, fate. What’s worse is knowing what fate has destined for you. Knowing you can’t avoid it because you’re a piece of a puzzle in someone else’s life.
The panic from the vision I had only moments ago vanishes when I glance down at the babe still sleeping soundly in my arms.
For her, I will gladly meet my fate with open arms.
The moment she landed on my chest, the vision came, swift and blinding. It took me a moment to realize what it was I was seeing. Having just given birth, my mind was both muddled and euphoric from what my body endured. But now the vision is clear. My fate has been predetermined long before she was here, and even if I had a way around it, I wouldn’t stop it. Not if it means she will live.
I just wish it didn’t mean my death.
A knock at the door has the baby stirring in her sleep.
“Come in,” I whisper, trying my best not to disrupt her further.
The door creaks open, and a scuff of heavy boots gives away my visitor’s identity.
I keep my eyes on the babe. Keep my thoughts trained on anything other than the man who is now standing next to my bedside. His hand wraps around my forearm, but still, I don’t look. “You’re not supposed to be here.”
He gives my arm a squeeze. “I know, Elwyn. I just had to see her once.”
I don’t fight the tears as they come. They drop onto my cheeks and run down my chin and neck.
He bends low to kiss my head. “Just once.”
It’s unusual for an arranger to continue seeking his Enchantress after the conception of a child. Even though it’s outlawed for Enchantresses to marry, he always stole little moments of my time. And I’ve always been glad for it.
Only now, I wish he wasn’t here. Wish I didn’t have to tell him what I Saw. Who our daughter really is.
His hand glides up my arm until it cups my chin. “Won’t you even look at me?”
Turning, I meet his gaze and my stomach drops. There is much to say about the man I love, but his kind eyes have always been the driving force behind my madness for him.
He smiles, but it does little to hide the sorrow lined in those eyes I adore so much. As if he already knows the fate neither of us can avoid. “It’s her, isn’t it?”
He strokes away the dark curls hanging in my face. I’ve told him many times throughout my pregnancy the suspicions I had. The dreams and visions I Saw. Never once wanting to believe them. Never once trusting what I knew to be true.
“She’s—”
“Don’t say it.” If he says it, then it’s real. I don’t want to hear it aloud. I want to savor this moment. With him and her.
But the questions beg to be asked.
Why my daughter?
Why me?
