“They happened,” the All Knowing answers. “Their rage and all-encompassing grief. They tore this sanctuary apart looking for the secret to reversing the cruel hands of death.”
I stretch my legs out on the floor, followed by my arms. I’m here, whole… no, wait. Not whole. Something is missing. “They succeeded?”
“No, because the answers were never contained in the history, but the future.”
I roll to my knees and grit my teeth as I stand. My legs wobble, threatening to give way and drop me back on my naked ass.
My hands skim my butt. “Why am I naked?”
“That’s your issue?” he answers.
“My immediate one, yes.”
“I’m not a wardrobe. I’m a highly intelligent mythical being.”
I tilt my head from side to side, stretching my muscles. “One that misses the point.”
“You are missing the point, Daphne Stone.”
“Which is?”
“You are back from the dead, and?—”
I walk among the destruction the knights have caused. “Minus clothing.”
“Indeed. But more importantly, why are you still here?”
I grab a book from the floor that is doing its best to lift and fly. Power hums from my skin, and it shudders in my hands before taking flight and seeking its rightful place. A little TLC is all this place needs to become the grand resource it once was.
The All Knowing hums in satisfaction as another book lifts and follows its friend.
Maybe this time around, I’m not going to be the clumsy maiden Daphne. Maybe, just maybe, I’m going to be Daphne Stone, architect of the realm and ruler of Idols. I smile, trip over something, and fall to my knees with a grunt.
Nope, still me. Good to know death doesn’t come with an upgrade.
“Where are they?” I ask as I attempt to right myself and walk again.
“Not here.”
I huff. “For the All Knowing, you aren’t particularly all giving of that knowledge.”
“Some things you have to discover yourself. I could tell you, but it won’t change the fact that you have to find them.”
“It would narrow down my seeking time.” And the likelihood of continued survival. It would be disappointing to die again before I even hug my sister, kiss my knights, or joke with Eron. Wait… “Is Eron alive?”
“Yes.”
My shoulders relax. “And my genie?”
“Traumatized but existing.”
“Capons?”
“Avoided the attention of the castle chef.”
“Sir-Sweeps-A-Lot?”
“Sulking, sad, and saggy.”
