All those times he found me sitting in the dark with nothing but my torch lamp and a book. He knew I was searching for silence that was nowhere to be found in this new, loud, and overwhelming environment.
He never questioned it. Never pushed me the way the others did.
He’d bring more books and set them beside me quietly.
When I grew the courage to scour the Athenaeum, he’d sneak me in at night so I could have peace while I indulged in all the new knowledge.
We were his first adoptees, and he’s adapted to each of us as we needed him to.
Gulliver and Laven snap free first. They clutch their chests and sag with relief I didn’t expect to see. With the way they act, you’d think this would be exactly what they want.
That appears to be the furthest thing from the truth.
Wick is released next. He too eases.
“Amick,” Ellian whispers as power—ancient and raw—swirls around our fingers.
“I’m sorry, Ellian.” My voice barely reaches a breath as my mind whirls. “I didn’t mean to put you in this position.”
I’ve changed our lives irrevocably.
There’s no right choice between the two of us. We both would gain and lose from this title.
My mind grows fuzzy with the static that hums between my ears. The power continues to pulse between the two of us and my eyes squeeze shut to ward off the dizziness.
“One day, God of Knowledge. Your role will be fulfilled.”
The ambiguous voice fades from my mind as the Volreen releases us and I stumble back. Thayla’s arms wrap around my waist, and Kyzen and Riven grab an arm of mine each.
I wiggle my empty fingers, and my attention snaps to Ellian.
He trembles as he looks down at the parchment in his hand, then his glossed eyes jerk up to mine.
My throat closes as I read the apology in his features. His step toward me is unsteady, and the last thing I want to do is read what he’s handing me.
“It’s okay,” he says softly.
The parchment, naturally light as a feather, weighs as much as a Veilatara in my palm.
Your prayer has been honored.
The mantel shall be yours to hold and protect until the true Chosen takes his place.
For now, it is decreed.
High Chancellor Ellian Akova.
“What did you do?”
My question hangs between us as my Valtrue surrounds me.
“What any father—of any kind—should do. Protect and guide his children so they one day will outgrow and be better than us. I asked that you be granted time to grow. Thegodssaw fit to answer that prayer.”
Gods…we both know that was no power of the gods.
I’m not even sure if that was the Valories.
The closest thing I can compare that power to is what I experienced the one and only time I stepped into the Gods Veil.
