49. One Lock, Two Keys #2
Before I could apologize for my inadequacies in doing so, Caspian spoke, “A thousand legs have spun this thread. A thousand eyes have watched them bled—from shores unseen and silent tiers that never surface, yet draw near. What slumbers deep will wake anew and feast on those who never knew their shadows walked on other sides. The heart of stone, the crown of glass, a windowed throne, the ages pass. A name once known, now left to pass, once spoken whole, now split in half. Two princes stand—one flame, one shade, yet mirrors lie where choices fade. Tread now with care, for blades are true; not all crowned gold is loyal or new. Strike the king, let iron fate fall free, or doom both throne and rolling sea.”
“What the fuck…” Alastair mumbled, his disbelief a sign of both surprise and horror.
“That”—Lorelie’s breath hitched—“is forbidden word.”
“The Others.” Hurrying to Lorelie’s side, Ignis lent her a hand. “It’s in their decree.”
“Admittance,” Parran clarified. “As we know, they’ve spent centuries weaving the course of history in their favor, leveraging Divari, Shifters, Fae, and gods alike.
Once only distant observers, they fed on the blood and souls of those capable of granting them power.
But now, emerged and known, they’re ready to continue what they started and fully eradicate the gods, as they are already split.
” They paused for a moment, fingers drumming along their jaw.
“The two mirrored princes hint at Kael and the Sane brother on Narvendor, suggesting the divided continents. So, in a long-winded way, it’s a tale of what’s happened, and confirmation that the deceptive reigns of the two kings have been wholly unnecessary because the Others have always been there. ”
“So everything that has led up to this moment has been premeditated by the Others, because they’ve always held the cards of fate?” I questioned, and even though I knew the answer, every ounce of my essence recoiled in refusal.
“It’s always been a battle of fate.” Ignis looked between each of us, his brows furrowed.
“Gods above, since Parran doesn’t wish to be direct, I will.
The passage isn’t only an admission from the Others, but confirmation that the gods have played the game just as equally.
You’ve been coaxed in the direction of demise, as the Others intended, because you are the Damned’s last chance.
” Jaw feathering with the willingness to take on the backlash, he continued, “I hate to be the one to bear the news, but your parents, the gods, are nowhere near as gracious as they’ve led you all to believe.
Truths have been spun, and lies have been told to ensure you would follow their path because, to them, there is only winning this war or watching the realm they created descend into madness. ”
Silence.
None of the three Divari spoke, the weight of Ignis’ utterance far too much for them to bear. Where they’d extended trust, they’d been met with manipulation, every way in which they saw their parents dissolving into nothing.
Fist slamming into the Fae’s chest, Lorelie slung her disapproval at Ignis. “You speak it as if the gods do not—”
“I’m fucking done,” Rohen stated with finality as she shoved herself up from where she sat.
“Ro.” Caspian went to grab her, but she was already gone, storming toward his chambers with indignation nipping at her heels. Not wasting a second, he followed suit, offering Alastair a single glance before he disappeared into the shadows.
“Parran,” the captain of the Scarlet Tempest commanded, his tone unwavering. “Let’s go.”
“I… I’m sorry, I didn’t mean for—”
“Now,” Alastair snarled.
Approaching his captain, the Fae tucked their chin to their chest, regret consuming his cornflower gaze. Leilani was quick to follow, settling a comforting hand on Alastair’s shoulder before the three of them vanished.
Kael blew out a breath, rubbing his eyes with his thumb and forefinger. “Fuck.”
“Syoran, Kael, I need you to believe me when I say—”
Cutting Lorelie off before she could finish, I shot back, “I’m not the fucking one you should be apologizing to.
What was said is said, I just hope time is taken to recognize the implications of what was shared.
” I directed my attention to Ignis, who seemed to recoil beneath the weight of my anger.
“Whether spite, slipping truth, or who gives a shit what else, you’ve now blanketed the morale on this ship with nothing more than spite and anguish. ”
Extending a hand to Kael out of instinct, I clenched my jaw the second I acknowledged my stupidity. He was still mourning, still processing Percy’s death, and it was selfish of me to offer such—
His calloused palm wrapped around mine, leveraging me as a counterbalance as he stood to his full height.
Casting his gaze between Lorelie and Ignis, he sighed and offered what I, too, knew was the truth.
“Just give them time to process. I think they’ve always understood the implications of their roles as Divari, but haven’t had it spewed at them with such harshness. We will reconvene in the morning.”
At the dip of both of their heads, he pivoted on his heel.
Hand still grasping mine, he tugged slightly as he motioned toward our awaiting rooms with a soft smile.
Unable to stop my own from forming, I squeezed a little tighter in an attempt to ingrain this moment in my mind before trailing after him across the deck.
For I would follow him anywhere.