“When the time is right.”
“You act like you don’t trust us.” Deneya rolled her eyes.
“I trust you both with my life.”
“Then why didn’t you tell us what you planned on offering Adela?” Deneya asked.
“Because it was inconsequential.”
“What about your work with the shift?” Taavin’s voice took on a hard edge. Even Deneya stilled as the atmosphere in the room became nearly suffocating. They’d found out. They must’ve heard from Ruie when word spread that she escaped through the shift surrounding the Twilight Kingdom without the help of a morphi.
“Is it true?” Deneya whispered. “Did you really go through the shift without the help of a morphi?”
Vi nodded.
“How?” Deneya shifted uncomfortably. “You shouldn’t be able to… none of us can. Only morphi can master the shift.”
“I’m not quite sure how,” Vi finally admitted, staring down at her hands. “I got a feeling when working with Arwin. A feeling that led to an understanding.”
“You can understand the shift.”
“I can,” Vi answered. But she didn’t know if that was entirely the truth. Didsheunderstand the shift? Or did the goddess within her, working through her mortal form? “Perhaps it’s a boon. Now I will be able to make all the crystal weapon replicas so that the major events surrounding the crystal weapons remain unchanged.”
She looked to Taavin as if she was the one giving a peace offering. If she could make crystal weapons, they could continue along his mission of ensuring the birth of a new Champion. Surely, he should be thrilled.
“Speaking of…” Deneya reached for her pack and produced the fake crystal crown she and Arwin had made. “We have it.”
“We’ll return south and find what Baldair did with the actual crown. Hopefully, it’ll be an easy swap,” Vi proclaimed. “We’ll go by way of Norin so we can stop in the Crossroads and collect some gold from our hideaway.” She looked to Taavin. He still regarded her with a thoughtful and somewhat wary gaze. “If my plans meet your approval as well?”
“The stones of fate in the river are unchanged. We’re still heading toward the birth of a new Champion and protecting the future of this world in the process.” His words were approving, but his body language said otherwise.
Vi reached out, taking his fingers and trying to smooth away the tension between them with her thumb on the back of his hand. A smile broke across her lips, one he reluctantly returned. Her fingers tightened. She had to hold onto him, for as long as possible, because holding him felt like holding the last remnants of the woman she’d once been.
* * *
Adela took them just south of Norin. They were taken ashore by rowboat and left without fanfare. In the distance, theStormfrostwas barely visible. By the time they reached Norin that evening, there were already whispers of the legendary pirate Adela being spotted.
They left the rumors behind and began the long trek to the Crossroads.
When they arrived a few days later, it was late, and the stars had been their only companions on the road for the final hour. Even the center of the Solaris Empire was relatively quiet.
“Glad to see it didn’t burn down.” Deneya looked up at the vacant storefront Vi had purchased years ago as she slid her key into the iron rose lock.
“It won’t burn down,” Taavin said confidently. “This place is going to play a pivotal role in the future of our world.”
A deep rumbling distracted them. Vi and Taavin shared a look. Both turned to Deneya.
“Was that your stomach?” Vi asked with a laugh.
“It was a long walk today.” Deneya rubbed her stomach. “Here, take my pack, I’m going to go find some food.” Vi accepted the woman’s pack and Taavin gave a nod. “I’ll be back with sustenance soon.”
Deneya headed off in the opposite direction as Vi and Taavin stepped into the darkness of the store. The shelves were perpetually vacant. Darkness clung to every corner. Vi crossed to the back of the room; there, hidden behind a curtain, was another doorway. This led to a narrow stairway and up into a cramped second-floor apartment.
Vi dropped her pack heavily and rolled her shoulders. Taavin’s hands covered the sore spots, rubbing slowly. Vi sighed as he took a half step closer to her.
“You should take a hot bath.”
“I should, and you should join me.” She smirked into the darkness. “It’s been a while since we’ve been alone.”
