“Now what?” she asked her sister.
Koa looked at her, confused. “What do you mean?”
“Now that we know we are mates and fate has brought us here—well, fate, and your meddling,” Solveig said, smiling a little, “what now? Where does that leave us?”
“I do not know.”
“What do you mean you don’t know? What of the vision?”
“The vision in which fate brought you together was full of light and promise,” Koa said with a smile. “That was the last one before the Block. I cannot See if your future has changed.”
Solveig stood before her mothers. “Then it’s time we reawaken your Sight.”
“I cannot ask that of you, Solveig,” Koa said.
“You are not asking. I am giving it freely.”
Koa still looked determined to decline until Aelfsi put a hand on her leg. The two shared an intense moment, communicating even without their bond.
How had she not realized before that she and Westley were mates? She had seen and felt her mothers’ bond for centuries.
She supposed she’d been in denial. With the prophecy she’d known about in place, she had never wanted to meet her mate. She would not subject him to that fate.
Even now that she’d found him, she would do everything in her power to keep it from coming to pass.
“Very well.” Koa’s voice jolted Solveig out of her thoughts, and she gave her sister an encouraging smile.
Solveig laid a hand on Koa’s chest and closed her eyes. She did as she had with Conalle and sent her magic into her sister. When Koa’s magic embraced her, as her sister, as her mother, as one of now three people who loved her to their souls, a smile stretched over Solveig’s face.
Her magic wrapped itself around the dark binds that held Koa’s at bay. Solveig pulled from her stores, fresh and full from the day’s emotions. The light grew brighter and she heard Aelfsi’s inhale.
“Solveig, your magic,” Koa breathed. Solveig opened her eyes, momentarily distracted by her sister’s voice.
“It’s beautiful,” Aelfsi said, her tone hushed with reverence, her eyes brimming with tears.
The drain on her magic intensified as she worked to loosen the tight binds. Koa’s magic instinctively responded and began to help, leaning into each increment of space Solveig could manage.
Her head spun with the effort, and she was weak. Westley’s alarm came through immediately.
What’s happening? Are you okay?
Loosening Koa’s magic.
You should’ve called for me. I could’ve helped.
I’m fine.
You’re stubborn.
Is that a surprise to you?
Westley chuckled and sent his soothing magic into her. It was all she could manage to send a thank you back before she slumped into Aelfsi, tired and spent.
Koa looked at her with awe. “Thank you, Solveig.” Tears spilled freely down her face.
“I’m sorry, Aelfsi, it will take a while before I am able to do the same for you,” Solveig slurred.
Her mother was already shaking her head. “You do not need to spend your energy on me. I believe we will all have our magic back sooner than you think. I can wait a little while longer.”
