Mariah sighed. “I’m not sure what to think, Andrian. They weren’t exactly forthcoming. It’s hard to make sense of things even the gods don’t understand.”
“Hm.” Andrian’s fingers twitched around thebrusi’sreins. “Is it time to summon theVigamor, then?”
Mariah wanted to say yes, that it was time to meet with the leaders of Leuxrith’s warriors and begin raising whatever forces they had. Instead, she shook her head. “We still don’t have the weapon, Andrian. Or know where it is. My magic was only the first piece of this. I can fight him now, but I don’t want to face him again until we have everything we need to destroy him.”
They fell silent, the stillness broken only by the steady clops of their steeds’ hooves. Mariah tipped her eyes skyward.
“Change of subject,” she said, “but have you seen Cielle recently?” The eagle had followed them up into the mountains, but Mariah hadn’t seen her since they’d first made camp at thestaortwo days ago. It was rare now to go so long without seeing her new friend.
“She flew off yesterday afternoon!” Signe called. “A few moments after you regained consciousness she took flight. It was like she’d been summoned.”
Mariah’s spine straightened. “What direction did she go?”
“South.” Signe cocked her head. “Do you think someone from your court called her?”
“Maybe,” Mariah murmured. When she’d given each traveling group one of Cielle’s feathers, she hadn’t even been sure it would work. Signe had told her that such things had power, and the Attlehon eagles were known to have a magic all to themselves. If the feathers were burned, Cielle would know, and she would come.
Mariah could only hope that was what happened. That someone on her court had discovered what they sought. Now that she had her magic back, she could feel the restlessness stirring within her chest. The need to finish everything Kol started.
Because it would be the end, either for him or for her. There wasn’t an after that she could envision. Kol would die, even if he took her with him.
Those weren’t thoughts that she could voice, though. Those were ones she guarded close to her heart.
She could crack open her bonds and ask. Cielle wasn’t necessary now that her magic was back, especially not with her new ability to speak to her Armature even when separated by great distances of land and sea.
But every time she thought about it, she stopped herself. Every time she inched closer to those bridges in her mind, she backed away.
They would have so many questions. Questions she didn’t want to answer right now. And maybe she was a coward, but she couldn’t bring herself to do it. Not yet. Guilt gnawed at her, but not enough for her to break.
So, she placed her trust in Cielle, hoping that her new friend would not fail her.
The ground beneath their beasts’ hooves slowly changed from overgrown dirt to packed stone, the path widening. The trees grew farther apart, and the crisp scent of fresh mountain water drifted to them on the breeze.
It was nearly dusk when Eyarfell rose out of the mountains, the bustle of the city bursting vibrantly out of the melodies of the wilds. Thebrusistables were on just on the outskirts of the stables, and it wasn’t long until they were shouldering their packs and heading into the city streets.
Mariah ached for a bath. A chance to scrub the grime of their travels from her skin and sit with everything she’d learned.
Fate always seemed to have different plans.
Four figures stood on the winding path leading up to their rooms, dressed in flowing temple robes, golden discs hanging heavily from their necks.
Mariah halted, skin prickling with unease. The Leuxrithian Council regarded her with grim, veiled expressions.
“Council.” Callamus shouldered forward, standing beside Mariah. “Is something wrong?”
Merete bowed her head, pale eyes flashing. “We are glad to see you returned,” she said. “We hope the journey revealed what it needed to.”
“It did,” Mariah responded slowly. “But that isn’t why you’re here.”
Merete smiled sadly and shook her head. “No. It is not.” She pulled in a breath, folding her hands in front of her.
“The Oracle has had a vision. She wishes to see you, Queen of Onita.”
The Oracle waitedfor them in the temple.
Her spine was rigid and her eyes were tipped skyward, as if she could see the darkening sky through the stone of the mountains. Mariah’s magic sparkled erratically through her veins. Signe rushed forward, booted feet clicking on the stone floor.
“Grandmother,” the priestess murmured, dropping to her knees beside the Oracle. “Are you well? What has happened?”
