“I, for one, would like to get out of this cramped cave. Let’s get this over with,” Kai said. She cleared her throat and began reading the prophecy on the wall.
“A crimson savior, the key will find
Hope for an ember of life to bind
The power of all to the power of one
To keep it hidden from what’s to come.”
They stood there for a moment as Isla silently reread the words. Rynn’s brow furrowed while Kai crossed her arms and rocked back on her feet. Jade’s eyes were glued to the prophecy.
Then Aidan said, “Well, that’s the most unhelpful thing ever.”
“What could it even mean?” Isla asked, running a finger along her lips and biting down on her nail.
“I believe I may be able to help with that.” A soft, sweet voice rang from the cave entrance.
They all whirled around at once. Rynn stepped in front of Isla to block her, and she leaned around his shoulder, eyes widening at the woman standing before them.
She was captivating. Small and lithe, with olive skin and long, thick, raven hair that curled down to her chest. Her eyes were big and bright, a luminescent lavender beneath dark eyelashes. Her red lips curved into a serene smile as she took in the sight of them all. A gown of gossamer that looked as light as if it were made of feathers fluttered at her arms when she moved. The top was a purple that perfectly matched her eyes, then faded into soft ivory pooling in waves at her feet.
“Celesine,” Jade breathed.
“Who?” Isla whispered in Rynn's ear.
He turned to her, and she didn’t expect his sudden icy countenance. “This is the Aether.”
Chapter Thirty-One
Isla
“I’msorry,thewhat?” Isla knew Rynn had referred to the Aether as a “she” when he’d first explained their powers, but he’d also said she didn’t normally have a physical form. So how was she here?Whywas she here?
The woman, Celesine, glided closer. Rynn tensed, then relaxed slightly when he put a hand on Isla’s arm. Isla looked around at the other elementals, noting their reactions to thissurprisevisit. Kai’s body was angled away from Celesine, her hands clenching and unclenching at her sides. She seemed to be the only one besides Rynn who was less than thrilled. Aidan took a step forward and shook his head slightly, his lips pulled into a disbelieving grin. To Isla’s right, Jade’s hand covered her mouth, her excited gasp still echoing in the cavern.
Celesine beamed and strode a few steps toward Isla, holding out her hand. “I’m sorry to startle you; that was not my intention. I am Celesine. And you must be Isla.” Isla shook her hand hesitantly, on edge from Rynn’s protective body language, but the kindness in Celesine’s eyes made her less cautious.
“What are you doing here, Celesine?” Kai asked, her tone more clipped than usual.
“I’ve been watching over you as much as I could since I awakened you, waiting for you to find the prophecy.” Celesine looked at each of the elementals with something akin to motherly affection, which was strange to see on the face of someone who appeared no older than the rest—although Isla knew the beings before her had no age.
“It’s been so long,” Jade whispered.
Celesine’s eyes fell on her. “I know, darling. I’m sorry. I wish I could be with you more, but alas,”—she reached out and took Jade’s hand, squeezing it—“there are some things that cannot be changed.”
“It’s alright, we understand,” Jade assured her. Isla had never heard Jade so…enamored. “You said you’ve been waiting for us to find this?” Jade waved her arm to the wall. “You knew there was a second prophecy this whole time?”
Celesine let go of Jade. “I did.”
Rynn straightened beside her, the muscles in his arms tensing. Kai scoffed and ran her fingers through her blonde hair. Isla could’ve sworn the water elemental muttered, “Typical,”and then Rynn spoke, the anger in his words vibrating the very air around them. “And why did you decide not to tell us?”
Celesine lowered her head. “Please forgive me,” she said somberly. “I was forbidden by the Primevals to speak of it.”
The space was thick with unspoken words, but Isla could tell the elementals didn’t want to argue with the will of the gods.
“I knew this prophecy existed, but I don’t know all of its meaning. That is a journey meant for the four of you. And now five, I suppose.” She nodded at Isla. “But I can offer some aid. Come, let us walk.”
Kai, Rynn, and Aidan shared guarded glances before slowly following Jade and Celesine out of the cave. The six of them walked down a trail on the mountainside that led to a small stream. There was still a chill in the air, but the weather had tempered since the snowstorm, and the sun worked to spread its rays of warmth over them.
