Her lips moved around a silent prayer. When she lowered her gaze, she pointed a question directly at Heraphia and me. “You wouldn’t want any more deaths, would you?”
My best friend didn’t even move, despite the dark circles and how she’d been moments from collapsing as we rose from the breakfast table.
“No, Your Radiance,” the gathered Seers murmured.
A smile bloomed like a rotten flowerreaching for the sun. “Good. I’ve brought you gifts to aid in your connection to our Goddess. May She bless you with visions of truth.”
From the sides of the room, servants approached, gleaming trays hoisted in front of them. One held what appeared to be mushrooms. Another, petals so delicate I was certain touching them would crumble them to pieces. A third held goose egg sized gemstones of all colors. Bark, smoking herbs, fabrics, and more passed before us before the group arranged themselves in a neat, tidy line, like they’d practiced the maneuver a dozen times before.
Lyriasthe was among them, her irises shining azure even in the low light. But she kept her expression neutral, her posture unmovable, and her attention over our heads.
“Come forward and take what you know best connects you to your power,” the Korona encouraged, sweeping a bejeweled hand toward the trays. “Then, seat yourself. I’ll watch over you, along with the scribes, to ensure anything you See is recorded and analyzed.”
Fear held my ribs in a vise. I hadn’t consumed virelthorn since my last encounter with my mate. I was nearly at the limit of what decades of consuming it could hold off. And being plied with drugs and other objects?
There was no doubt in my mind I’d See today.
I couldn’t breathe.
No no no no no
I’d rather die than glimpse a future where Keleti was a wasteland, with carrion birds picking at bleached bones.
Why had I pushed him away when it could have saved me from this fate?
Others stepped forward and claimed their objects. The world quaked beneath my feet. My injured knee threatened to give out when it was my turn to select something that would connect me to our Radiant Mother.
With blurred vision, I scanned each offering. I didn’t know my power well enough to know what would enhance it. The Goddess was forcing me to walk the path she had chosen for me whether I wanted it or not, it seemed. There was no more running—from anything.
“Take what Lyriasthe has.”
I nearly jumped out of my skin at the sound of the Issaraeth’s voice in my mind.
“Did you know this was happening today?”
A long moment passed as my heart hammered against my chest.
“Yes.”
And then he was gone, disappearing from my mind like dimming light.
Swallowing, I rolled my shoulders back and approached the female. On her tray was a variety of tight-packed herbs meant for chewing. Most were a tar-black. Many males sucked them and spit out the contents, the leaves giving them a buzz that opened their senses.
But that would only serve to expand my power, not diminish it.
A storm surged inside me, emerging from the depths of fury I now possessed. Was my mate betraying me again? Did he somehow know it would enhance my power?
How foolish I’d been for initially believing his suggestion had been one of protection.
Something cold pressed into my hand. Lyriasthe held my gaze. “Go ahead and take one, Seer.”
The tray hadn’t so much as wobbled as she’d shifted her hold. My fingers closed around what felt like a glass vial. With my other hand, I quickly lifted one of the wads. “Thank you,” I told her, then stepped back. Spinning, I chanced a glance at what she’d surreptitiously given me.
Virelthorn.
Only a few leaves, but it would be enough. I hurried toward my seat, taking note of everyone else’s positions and preoccupations. When I was certain I wouldn’t be seen, I dumped the contents into my palm and then tossed them into my mouth. I’d never chewed the herb so fast in my life.
A second later, the wad joined them. My nose wrinkled as the bitter earthiness coated my tongue. But I needed to at least pretend I was trying to See.
