His hands run down my arms like he can't let go. “Lila…”
“No, Cillian.” I place my hand on my chest. I take a step back, breaking the connection between us. “We can’t run. We have to figure it out. We have to go back. You know we do. You of all Fae know how detrimental these storms have been.”
“Why does it have to be you?”
“I don’t know,” I say. “But how can I walk away knowing I could end the suffering of our entire world? Of the entire Fae population. I have to at least try.”
Chapter
Twenty-Six
NISSA
When we land outside of the castle, the sun is setting. The only evidence of the Goddess’s wrath are the wet cobblestones and a pile of scorched wood from the destroyed wagon stacked against the castle wall. His arms are still wrapped around my body protectively, neither of us are ready to let go.
We had been so close.
The moonlight shines down on us and I lean my head against his chest. Closing my eyes, the steady beat of his heart is a comfort to my soul.
“I always wanted it to be you,” I say quietly. And truthfully,I always believed the Goddess wanted it to be us too.
He doesn’t respond. He just pulls me closer, drawing circles on my lower back with his thumb.
Goddess, what do you want me to do?
I open my eyes and stare up at the waxing moon surrounded by a star filled sky. Something about its beauty pulling at me.
His chest rises like he is preparing to say something, and I know whatever it is will break the last piece left of me. So Iquickly pull away, already missing the feel of our magic dancing with one another.
“I need to go think through everything we learned. Figure it out. We have to be missing something.” His face falls but there is a light of determination in his eyes as I back away from him towards the door.
My heart racesas I pace my room, going over ever detail of the prophecy in my mind for what feels like the millionth time. Gaia clearly wants me in Castara to rule but with who?
I begin breaking everything I know down.
The storms started around the time that I was sent to the Homestead and continued for the years while I was gone. A storm hit the Elite City for the first time the same moment Nova was killed.
And the City was hit a second time when Cillian and I agreed to leave together, following us to Pollara. Only stopping when I said we needed to return to Castara. Otherwise, there have not been storms since I have moved into the castle or when I visited Varetheil.
I shake out my hands as frustrated energy swirls inside of me, tinkling in my fingertips. The timing of the storms does seem to support the fact that the storms are related to me ruling or at least staying in Castara. But it doesn’t help tell me which Kingdom she wants me in now that Nova is gone.
Why would anyone want me to rule anyways? And could the kingdom have changed with Nova’s death?
Even if we figure out which kingdom it doesn’t guarantee that they will stop once I am Queen. All this could be for nothing…
What is your plan here, Gaia? What am I missing?
Celyste thinks I am betrothed to Aiden. Could that explain why he was so attentive to me during the visit? So worried about my safety?Giving me a way back to him. Does he know about the prophecy or was it just a natural instinct to take care of me? The mate bond driving him.
Something is there at the edge of my mind. But what is it? What am I missing?
Knowing about the prophecy could give Aiden motive to have killed Nova... Based on the Vaylor’s thoughts:no Daughter of Gaia, no King.Which would mean Caspien couldn’t become King without Nova and Aiden would be crownedwith me.
Maybe that is why he is so calm about everything during the meeting. Does he think the ceremony with Caspien won’t work because I am betrothed to him?
When was he born anyways? What is his birth order? And where does Cillian even fit in with all of this? He was born on our birthdate as well.He is the one I have a connection with.
I rub my hands over my face. My head is pounding more and more with each additional theory. And that is all they are.Theories.
