He paused for a long moment. Briefly, her heart raced in fear that he was going to say no. But then…
“Yes, it still stands. If anything it’ll be more effective now that you’ve mastered this much.” He looked away again. “Besides, it’s not as if we have any choice. We have roles to play, you and I.”
That sense of duty was one Vi knew better than any other. “Taavin, I—”
“Rest now, Vi. Summon me again when you have the strength.”
It was as if her magic had been waiting for his permission. The threads, worn down like her energy, snapped, and the light disappeared into the darkness. Vi staggered back, collapsing on the bed and staring at where he had been—staring at her hand and what she’d done.
* * *
She summoned him the next day.
Immediately after her lessons, Vi feigned a stomach ache and had a simple dinner sent to her room. On hearing she was supposedly ill, Ginger tittered about, but Vi finally sent her away too. She waited for a good hour before holding out her hand and uttering the words.
The light appeared before her, flickering at first and becoming stable. Vi remained focused on every line, ensuring that the slowly swirling circles around her fingers stayed in place—close to her skin, just as he’d instructed. Only when she felt the magic stabilize did she look to her visitor.
“You seem more confident with that.”
“Me? Confident with magic? You have the wrong girl.”
“I’m just as surprised as you, to see one of the Dark Isle using Lightspinning. Though I must remind myself you have your contraband book that should’ve never made it across the Shattered Isles.”
“If my book upsets you so much, why don’t you come and get it back?” Vi retorted. The jab hit harder than she’d intended.
“If only I could.”
Taavin looked away and Vi studied his profile. Other than the scar that ran from his left eye, down his cheek, his face was as polished as a sculpture. Though she was certain the light that constantly outlined him contributed to the ethereal illusion.
“Why can’t you?” she dared to ask. He’d said he’d never left his city the last time they spoke and Vi had heard volumes lingering under the statement. Until now, however, they’d only ever spoken of practical things—magic and visions. This was the first time she was making an intentional effort to venture beyond the basic framework that had brought them together.
“You wouldn’t understand.”
“Try me.” Her lips curled up into a smile, hopefully encouraging and not mocking.
“My position, as the Voice of Yargen, means I am to remain by the flame at all times. I couldn’t leave if I wanted.”And he did want to. Of that Vi was certain.
“Trapped by your position…” Vi looked at the swirling magic around her fingertips. “That’s one thing I think I understand better than most.”
For the first time in her life, Vi shared the sentiment with someone and did not have them immediately disagree. He didn’t try to point out all she had in the power of her station. Nor did he chastise her for the feeling of entrapment. He merely stood in quiet camaraderie.
“What does the Voice of Yargen do?” Vi asked. “Keep this flame burning?”
Taavin took a small step back, as if surprised by the question. She watched as his guards slid back into place—mentally battening the hatches against her once more.
“No… the flame of Yargen has been burning since the goddess last left this world. It is a remnant of the goddess herself—and her power. Through it, her chosen voice hears the words of power Lightspinners use, as well as her guidance for the mortal realm she created.” He sighed, running a hand through his hair. “At least, that is what I am supposed to do.”
“I see…” Vi murmured. He couldn’t hear the goddess through this flame. Vi knew it by his expression and reaction alone. But something prevented her from saying so outright. Perhaps what stopped her was the keen knowledge that pointing it out would only bring him extra pain. She didn’t want to be torture to him, intentionally or otherwise. So Vi shifted the topic slightly. “What about the champion? You always bring up the voice and the champion together.”
“Because the champion is Yargen’s other chosen mortal. Though… there has not been one since the last time Raspian walked this earth.”
Vi suppressed a shudder at what she knew now was the name of the dark god she’d seen the zealots worshiping in her last vision. “Why do you think I am the champion?”
“Because a traveler told me of our meeting.”
Traveler. Vi stilled at the word. It couldn’t possibly be… “This traveler, was it a man or a woman?”
“A woman.”
