Farris’ words repeated in my mind. She seemed familiar to me too, but I wasn’t sure why she would. And why would fate want two sad souls to find each other?
I didn’t understand it, but her pain lived in a shape I recognized. Not just like mine but adjacent to it. Like we'd bled into the same ground, at different times.
The next morning, I woke up on the couch, having fallen asleep while keeping guard. My eyes fluttered open at the sound of Farris calling out to someone. I stood up thinking she was in danger. But the sound was… happy.
I walked toward her door and listened carefully to see if she’d say anything but it was silent. All of the sudden her bedroom door ripped open.
“Farris,” I said, startled.
“Elowyn?”
“You were talking in your sleep. I wanted to make sure you were alright.”
I stepped aside when she nodded. Her gaze found mine, and she stared at me oddly before walking out into the living room. She didn’t sit down, instead, she stared more intently at me.
“I knew I recognized you.” She looked up when I stopped moving. “My mother once told me that a woman cloaked in death and fate would find me. That she was the beginning of my fate. I dreamt of her story last night, which feels like a sign.”
“You thinkI’mthe woman cloaked in death and fate?”
She nodded. “Deathweaver Coven who specializes in fucking with fate. That is who you are, correct—the queen?”
I glanced around and wondered for a moment if I was sleeping.
“I’m no longer the queen.”
“I know.” She smiled. “I saw it in my dream.”
“I’m sorry. What the fuck is going on?”
She sighed as she finally sat down. Her hands tangled in her lap. Something heavy filled the air making my skin prickle.
“We all have a duty. All of us protect that duty until it is the very thing that kills us. You had a duty to your coven. Your mother had a duty to you. Abram had a duty to the heavens and realm.”
“You know Abram?”
“No.” Farris’ eyes widened when she looked up at me. “But I saw him a few nights ago. He was in Falgon.”
My heart slammed against my ribs as I watched her.
“For what?”
“Loma.” Farris watched me curiously as pain contorted my face. “His mate.”
“I know who she is. How do you know her?” I asked.
Farris seemed to become nervous. Her hands were shaking slightly. I stood up and backed away from Farris as if she were Loma herself. She stood up with her hands out to show she wasn’t a danger.
“Did Loma send you here to hurt me?”
“IhateLoma,” she assured me. “But she is part of the reason we were brought together.”
“I don’t understand.” I felt the tears sting my eyes. “And I don’t want to hear about Abram and Loma.”
Farris smiled, and it upset me so much that I was about to tell her to leave.
“Vyrak.” Farris looked at me. “Do you know what that is?”
“No.”
