The winter festival honored Saint Evie. Her sacrifice hundreds of years ago in the War tore open the veil between the realm and the Beyond and called in the gods to abolish the Decachiré: the dangerous affinity work that had power-hungry Visya reaching to be gods by making their power limitless.
Though Visya power before the War was raw – able to be molded into any of the nine affinities instead of bound to one – it was still contained; set in what was known as someone’s ‘well’ that limited the depth of how far the Visya could go before burning out entirely.
But the Decachiré practitioners experimented with the limits of their wells, pushing further and further to gainmore. They knew no bounds.
It wasn’t enough to be blessed by the gods. They wanted tobegods. Some tried bestowing powers onto humans, believing there was no greater indication of godlike power than creating a Visya themselves. And using them to further their cause in the War.
It was a dangerous practice that few survived.
The Decachiré nearly destroyed their realm as the practitioners expanded their dark affinity with one goal in sight: to become powerful enough to kill the gods.
But Evie … she had saved them all.
The Dawning celebration was in three days, and the city was in a frenzy. Garland was hung, candles were lit, and eventhe Athatis, the sacred wolves that guarded the Dyminara, feasted with a celebratory hunt.
‘Come with me instead. Leave the decorating to Caleigh.’ Tova’s younger sister was far better at it. As a Terra, her earth affinity made her a natural grower of things with a patience Tova didn’t possess.
‘I’ll be making pies with Pa.’
Tova hummed in agreement before resting her head on Aya’s shoulder. Aya let herself settle into her friend, finding a moment of rare peace as Tova’s cinnamon scent wrapped around her.
‘Do you wear that every night?’ Tova finally muttered, her brow scrunched as she eyed Elias’ shirt. A screech escaped her as she tried to dodge Aya’s blow. ‘By the way, I have your gloves,’ she added. ‘They’re so much prettier than mine.’
‘You’re the worst,’ Aya muttered half-heartedly, the cold pebbling the skin of her bare legs as she swung out of bed.
Tova grinned. ‘I know.’
4
Will was fairly certain he might not make it through the day without murdering someone.
The early morning sun streamed through the arches that ran along one side of the cavernous Grand Palace entrance hall, turning the cobblestone floor a blinding shade of bright gray. He pinched the bridge of his nose. The chaucholda had done nothing to ease the steady headache building behind his eyes.
All night. It had taken all night to break the tradesmen, and they hadn’t had a lick of power. It was supposedly a crime and sin to use an affinity to harm a human, but he’d always been given leeway when in defense of the kingdom. Gianna made sure of that.
He’d long stopped praying for forgiveness from the gods for it. He doubted they’d listen to someone like him anyway.
Will sucked in a breath, blinking his eyes hard as Aya and Tova approached, as if that would be enough to rid the stabbing in his head. The general gave a muttered greeting, and Aya remained silent, her icy stare sweeping him from head to toe. He hated when she looked at him like that, as if she could see right through to the core of him.
He returned the favor, his gaze dragging across her.
Black leather pants that hugged the curve of her hips, sturdy black boots, another black sweater with a neckline that scooped just low enough to show the swell of her small breasts. Her thick dark brown hair was pulled back into a ponytail with a white ribbon – a touch of innocence.
A laughable notion, if Elias was to be believed. The young noble hadn’t been able to keep his mouth shut at the tavern last week. Will had considered sending a sliver of his power to stop his droning, if only so he could enjoy his own company in peace.
He wouldn’t have needed more. Not with a sap like Elias.
Aya glared at the brazenness in his stare, and he shot her a smirk he knew would make her see red as they made their way down the hall.
He loved getting under her skin.
Gianna’s private chambers sat in the East Wing of the palace. The gray, rough stone walls made it appear as if the castle was born of the mountain itself. It might as well have been, given the way it was nestled in the pass that overlooked the city. Its many windows and arches gave those inside an unobstructed view of Dunmeaden as it sprawled toward the port basin. One could almost see where the waters of the Loraine eventually became the Anath Sea.
The palace was decorated with subtle richness. Paintings depicting various Conoscenza passages hung on the walls, and hints of silver and gold wove through iron railings and fixtures.
‘You’re awfully quiet, William. Didn’t get enough sleep?’ Tova goaded from Aya’s right, finally breaking the silence.
‘Some of us, Tova, don’t have the privilege of getting beauty rest. We actually have to work.’
