Jax slammed his fist on the table, and strands of his black hair fell into his eyes. “First of all, that thing was rabid and trying to eat me. Second of all, I wasn’t hiding.” He crossed his arms in disgust.
I dropped my fork, throwing my head back to laugh as the others joined in around me.
Cassandra waved her hand at Jax, dismissing his antics before returning her attention to me.
Vivienne also looked my way and began reciting. “Void of magic, a heroine born, destiny calls, though faint and torn. Many will come from across the land, yet only the strongest will win her hand. With lover’s touch, she shall ignite, without it perish from the kingdom’s blight.”
Everyone’s attention shifted to focus directly on the seers, utensils and drink suddenly laid down on the table.
Cassandra took over speaking Kade’s prophecy. “Rebels rise where darkness lies, not one but two must break the ties. Across the void, a queen you must seek, trust freely given, for one alone proves too weak. Though evil will free and be bound no more, Fate still awaits one final war.”
“Yes, we know the prophecies,” Kade began. “Lana is a queen from across the void, and we will work together to fight the darkness. Clearly, we have a war to fight.” He ran his hands through his hair, sweeping it straight back. “We’re in love. I don’t think there is anything we don’t know at this point.”
“Tsk tsk.” Cassandra stood and held out her hand to Vivienne, who joined her next to the table. Together they began speaking in unison. “Banish all ties to darkness with light, if any remains, so will this plight. In the end, a willing sacrifice of life, will trigger events to cease this strife. For the loss of love will heal what’s torn, and allow this world to be reborn.”
Silence.
Complete and utter silence filled the room.
While Vivienne and Cassandra looked pleased with themselves, a third prophecy was not what we expected to hear from them right now. Not that I ever knew what to expect, but another prophecy? I had no words.
“How long have you had this prophecy?” Kade growled.
Cassandra and Vivienne released each other’s hands and sat back in their respective seats. “Not long. The Fates only deemed us worthy of this knowledge a few weeks ago. As sisters reunited, and the worlds collided, the Fates showed themselves once more.”
I rose, quickly walked over to the bar area, and found a piece of parchment and a writing utensil to copy the third prophecy. “Say it again but slower.” I needed time to process this information, and here, out in the open, I wasn’t sure my heart could handle what was foretold. I returned to my seat, ready to capture everything.
They spoke the prophecy again as a chill ran over my arms. Evelyn had spoken of loss to come, as did the prophecy. None of this was coincidence, and the doom echoing from Evelyn’s words was confirmed now. I rubbed my chest as if it could protectmy heart somehow. The dread pooling in my belly solidified into something hard. I poured myself a hefty helping of wine to calm my racing nerves, throwing it back, enjoying the burning sensation that distracted me from my helpless thoughts.
The front door whipped open, and a slender Fae male quickly entered, closing the door behind him in a hurry. The young man stood panting for a moment before saying, “Colonel Storm, news from Ellevail.”
Storm stood, grabbing a glass of water, and proceeded to hand it to the winded Fae. “Here, first take a drink, Kristopher, then your report.”
“Colonel Storm?” Jax muttered begrudgingly. “We leave for three days, and he’s promoted himself to a colonel? Unbelievable.” I felt Kalliah kick Jax under the table before he yelped, and I couldn’t help but giggle. Rising, I went to stand by Storm. As queen, I would hear any information about my country, but especially Ellevail. My home.
“What mission could you have possibly orchestrated in less than three days’ time?” Ian asked, turning in his chair to face us.
“We found a few smaller shifters willing to try to sneak into Ellevail to investigate what was happening. I dispatched them only a few hours after you left.”
“That’s why he’s promoted.” Kade grinned at Jax.
“I call captain, then, since I battled a strox, you know.”
“Will you hush,” Kalliah said, her words accented by another thud.
Jax leaned in toward her. “I will keep that leg in my lap if you kick me again, gorgeous.”
Kristopher gladly gulped down the glass of water, before standing at attention once more. “Your Majesty.” The man bowed.
“None of that, especially not right now. Kristopher, was it?” I smiled at the man who appeared much younger than he had when he’d first flung open the doors.
“Ye—Yes, Your Majesty. It’s an honor.”
I nodded at him, encouraging him to continue.
“The mission was successful. We were able to infiltrate Ellevail and the surrounding area, especially the outskirts where the lesser Fae reside. The closer we got to the palace itself, the harder it became. The dark ones were everywhere, patrolling the streets as efficiently as the royal guard. The Fae we saw were either living in fear, running from a store back to their homes, avoiding contact, or have pledged their support to Andras as king.”
The anger inside of me simmered to a slow boil. “How dare he.”
