A sob rises in my throat. I bite my tongue hard enough to taste copper.
Why do you see sadness where there is hope?The Flame's voice softens.Belonging nowhere gives you the freedom to belong anywhere. Everywhere.
I swallow. Nod. For once, I'm grateful for the Flame's strange wisdom. "What will you want in exchange for the scepter?"
The Flame roars. Unmistakably, it's laughing.My child, I already have your soul. What more could I possibly take?
The kindness of moments ago evaporates. I narrow my eyes. "You had Malachi's soul too. You still took his wings."
The Flame roars, then goes still.I did not take the warrior's soul. I took his wings. I took years of his life. But a soul is not your body. It is not your gift.The Flame pulses.A soul is everything. Every moment that makes you who you are. Every memory. Every love. Every loss.
My breath hitches.
You said you would give up anything. That is what I will collect if you fail to repay your debt.
The prophecy surfaces in my mind. Those words, in Anala's terrible voice. "The healer's hands will break the chain, but the price of freedom is all she contains,” I recite. "Does that mean my soul?"
It does not.The Flame flickers.The prophecy will take your memories.
My heart stutters.
Unless we come to an agreement.
"What kind of agreement?"
A bargain, of course.
The hunger in its voice makes me want to run.
"What kind of bargain?"
Tell me what you want. I'll tell you the cost.The Flame stills, then flares with what might be amusement.Oh, but you want so many things, my Tempest. You cannot lift the curse, save Lunaris, defeat your father, keep your memories, and keep your warrior.
My chest tightens.
Not all of them.
I straighten my spine. "Why not?"
Because there is always a price.
"Did my mother's life mean nothing? Her sacrifices?" The words burst out of me. "She gave up everything. Her freedom. Her home. Her family. Her youth. Her gift. Her life. Her children."
My voice breaks on the last word. "Where was the balance then? Surely her sacrifice was worth something."
Hm.The Flame considers this.You believe her sacrifices should grant you some freedoms?
"And my brother's. Yes."
I admit, I find myself at a loss. That is a rarity.The Flame sways, almost thoughtfully.Very well, Tempest. Let us make anarrangement. Someday soon, I will need you to do something. In exchange, I will give you a key to my kingdom.
"To Noktemore?”
Yes.
"Why would you do that?"
Does it matter?The Flame flares.Ah, but of course it matters. My Tempest is a fast learner.
