It was her bloodline.
Fae and mages both descend from the Elder Elfkind. Most bloodlines diluted over centuries. Some rare lines carried pure time-anchored magic.
She’d gotten one of them. The dragons had told me once that her bloodline was as ancient as mine. I hadn’t realized at the time just how old and powerful it was. But I sensible enough to be aware of possibility—the unknown.
Her half human side had provided a clean slate to allow her power to manifest.
Daughter of the Hourglass—one born of temporal lineage.
It hadn’t occurred to me though, when the Seer first gave her the title, that it would mean so much more.
Those born of such lineage are not merely time-wielders. They are time-bound.
They belonged to it.
Shebelonged to it.
Not since the Dark ages had anyone seen a mage with Elariya’s power.
And we were only just touching the surface. There was a lot more to come. A lot more to her. She was starting to see that too, and own who she was.
The woman across from me wasn’t the timid, uncertain girl I’d first met.
Gods be good, she didn’t even look like woman she’d been when she destroyed the rebels with her spell. This version of her was stronger. And that gave me hope.
We placed the last of the crystals around the dragon parchment, and the two of us stood, trading hopeful glances.
Arielle and the guys took their places to form the protective circle around us. They looked hopeful too. Last time I’d brought everyone in for additional support. I did the same today. The more power, the better.
I acknowledged each of them and sighed.
“Is everyone ready?” I asked.
They nodded.
“We’re going to do the same thing as before. But this time—” I glanced at Elariya. “We hope Elariya’s ability will guide us the rest of the way and unlock the path we seek to find the ring.”And get her memories back.
“This time feels different. Here’s hoping.” Alaric tapped a hand to his heart.
The others nodded.
Here’s hoping in deed.
I placed my hand to my heart and bowed. “La níyneria, a mun dair.”
“La níyneria,” they all answered, including Elariya.
I smiled back at her and her face brightened, still carrying that resilient courage. I was already proud of her.
I nodded to Garrick. He began chanting his Galdrlore incantation. He lifted his arms, and a bright silver prism emitted from his palms. Arielle did the same, summoning the powers of the Fray. Bastian and Alaric joined them.
Hardly a second passed before, Elariya and I were surrounded by a wall of radiant light. The manor groaned from the strength of the magic, a good sign we had a strong barrier.
I picked up the athame and drew in a deep breath. “Ready, Ziyka?”
“ Yes, I'm ready.”
I took her hand and numbed her skin of her palm, so she wouldn’t feel the sting of the blade. I ran the tip of the blade over her palm when I was sure she wouldn’t feel anything.
