“Hmm.” Eimear’s gaze rose to the sky. “Admittedly, the world feels … strange. Like I’m living in a dream and waiting to wake.” She glanced down at her hand. One of the large white flowers came to life, the vines rising up to gently thread through Eimear’s fingers. “Yet there are sensations in this world that were never part of Niall’s manipulations.”
“I’m sorry,” Arianna said.
Eimear glanced over at her. “Whatever for?”
“For the pain you suffered. For not killing Niall when I had the chance.”
“Rest assured, Niall will suffer before the end.” Eimear clamped her hand over the vine, squeezing the delicate greenery until it wilted in her palm.
“You plan to fight?”
“I plan to wage war.”
A chill swept through Arianna at the venom in Eimear’s words. “I didn’t think they’d want you to.”
Eimear chuckled at that. “They’re my children. Of course they won’t, but I am not a feeble thing to be coddled. My older two know full well what I’m capable of. I won’t be hindered, and while they might not appreciate me on the battlefield, they will be happy for my assistance by the end.”
Arianna looked over at the High Lady again, regarding her curiously. “You have your visions back.”
Eimear relaxed her hand. “I do.” Arianna finally took in the female. No iron, though that was apparent from the magic spilling out over the balcony. Her feet were bare, a curiosity that Arianna resisted inquiring about. Maybe it was a direct result of something Niall had done, or maybe it just let her be more in tune with her magic.
“How bleak is our future?”
Eimear fed life back into the vine she’d crushed and returned it to the balcony. “That depends.”
“On what?”
The ghost of a smile. “How destiny unwinds.”
“Is—is there more than one path?”
“There always is.” Eimear turned to face her. “Did you really think glimpsing into the future would simply show one straightforward route?”
“I kind of hoped it would.”
Eimear chuckled again and leaned against the railing. She appeared so carefree, as if a burden had been lifted from her soul. “It’s like multiple translucent strands suspended in asingular space. Any one of them could take root and solidify at a moment’s notice. When it does, the other strands vanish. Sometimes, those strands are more solid if destiny is leaning toward that outcome, but nothing is set in stone.”
“Is there anything that’s certain?”
Eimear’s smile faded. “One thing, though speaking about it too much could result in it fading. It might be our only chance.”
Arianna stood straighter. “Is there anything youcantell me?”
Eimear’s brows furrowed. “There’s … a necessary sacrifice.”
Arianna’s heart jolted. “Whose?”
“That depends entirely on you.”
“How?”
“There’s a choice. One could lead to our salvation, though the chance is slim. The other will result in our absolute ruin.”
“That is very … vague.”
Eimear smiled again. “If I tell you more, I’m afraid we’re destined for destruction anyway.”
“That’s reassuring.”
