Aura senses an unspoken pain and boldly asks, “Did you have children with him?”
The Wyevern leans against the tree, her eyes focused on the past. “Yes.” She peers at the ground, nudging the dirt with her bare foot. “He sought to make a point with me and slew them, even knowing he was diminishing his precious numbers. Even at the expense of innocent lives who chose peace over power.”
Aura places her hand on the Wyvern’s arm, unable to comprehend such agony. “None of them deserved such an end.”
“No, no, they did not. After Makt was locked in the Abyss, I believed I could isolate myself in the Sanctum and spend my life seeking salvation with the Norn. Then, a rumor spread about Calder, and,” she swallows hard, “I could not kill another child of Makt. Especially not an untainted child.”
“Untainted?” Aura dares to ask.
“One not born of an unholy mix. It matters not.” She waves herhand in the air. “Calder’s mortal father took great lengths to shield him from Lavinia, even advising him to sail under my helm.” She snorts. “I respect a man willing to burn himself to prove loyalty.”
“He is a good man.”
“I know of your quest, little witch.Skalor’s salvation requires two. Liberation bleeds at the hands of the god-born child. To make equal upon a field of sunless roses, a willing sacrifice must be taken. Only when Salt melts Ice will peace descend upon the realm.It is not you who is the god-born child but Calder. Although, from what I can discern, you are the Salt to melt his Ice.”
“How do you know-”
“The runes, darling! The runes! Worry not, I will teach you in due time. I understand the critical value of your mission and shall not hinder you or your companions.”
Relief floods through her veins as she feels the tension leave her shoulders. “What is the exchange for your grace?”
She considers the Princess. “Crystal, call me by my given name, little witch. My terms are thus: you agree to spend one week in the Sanctum and allow me to uncollar you from the Treland Sacred Stone. I cannot stand a woman of your abilities bound.”
Aura instinctively touches her fingers to the nautilus shell.
“Understand, darling, everything the gods have told you is a lie. You were born with the ability to access every power because you are a witch, as am I. Someone whom the Norn intends to train other Sacred Stone wielders. Aura, you have barely brushed the surface of your powers or your true meaning upon the continent.”
Aura looks away at the sun’s rays dancing off the lake's surface. Why would her grandparents have lied to her? Briny has been nothing but supportive.
Do my parents know?
“Do you wonder how you entered Calder’s fear in the forest?”
Aura holds up the nautilus shell as if this were an obvious revelation.
Crystal shakes her head with a chuckle. “Only a witch could enter into a pocket of the forest crafted by the Norn with theirseidr. Thegods and their creations are forbidden to set foot in the Sanctum. Witches, on the other hand, are controlled by the Norn.”
She catches Crystal watching her with sad kindness in her emerald eyes. Her heart thuds at the idea of delving into her abilities and truly exploring her power. She feels giddy, as if a new life burns in her heart.
“How did the gods collar me if the Norn govern myseidr?”
Crystal’s eyes sparkle with the same unhinged fury she grew up knowing from her father. “Carefully.”
“Will you help us destroy Makt and Lavinia?”
Crystal strokes her jaw. “The Wicked Wyvern will stand by you. I may choose chaos when needed, but my heart craves peace.”
Crystal glides over the lake on her way to the Sanctum, letting the tips of her wings dip into the water and splashing Aura playfully. The Princess braves the height this time, clutching tightly to Crystal’s snow white scales as her belly bounces with the Wyvern’s dives.
At last, the sky dims into warm hues of violet and orange as they return to the Inner Sanctum. The hamlet bustles with laughter, and the scents of roasting food gently waft as they touch the ground again.
A handsome man stands beside Crystal as she transforms back into her bare human form. He slips a soft robe over her arms before enveloping her in a passionate kiss.
Aura glances away, blushing at the open display, wishing she and Calder could be as bold in their affections.
Crystal’s companion bows away with a hard look that promises her more.
Before Aura can ask, she laughs, “The common people may associate me with Makt, but that does not mean I live the life of a sad Gothi. That man has been my consort for centuries.”
