Chapter 34 #2
I recounted the last few months, the char marks on Mother and Frederick, the way Egan had been, the voice that spoke to me, every step leading up to the volcano.
Mina leaned back as I reached the end. “Hmm, I see. So that’s why you woke me earlier than you should have.”
“That’s why I woke you earlier? I did nothing intentionally. I didn’t want you to come here. I didn’t want to potentially start a war with Scoria Bay. None of this was what I wanted. I just wanted to find my happily ever after with Amyra.”
I might have just lost it a bit on Mina, but what did it matter? It wasn’t like I could make things worse, right?
“Princess, your destiny was always to wake me. You are meant to bring a new way of life, not just to your kingdom, but to everyone. You could try running from your destiny, but I don’t think you’d like that outcome. Would you like to see what happens if you choose to walk away?”
“I don’t understand. How could I possibly see the outcome of a choice I wouldn’t make?”
Mina stood up and walked around the table to me.
With a loud screech, she dragged the chair across the stone floor behind her.
She sat down next to me, pulling my chair out roughly so that I was knee to knee with her.
She took my hands, then instructed, “Close your eyes. Drop your mind shields, let me in. Good.”
Inside my head, a vision lit up the room.
A blank, black space took over my mind, and a feeling of nothingness overwhelmed me.
I looked down and could see my body, as is, standing on nothing.
I looked up, and Mina moved to stand in front of me, coming into existence from nothingness.
“We are in an in-between space. I can take you through this space to show you what would have been if you had chosen at any point to give up the throne and run away with Amyra. No one will hear us, see us, or sense us. But don’t try to change anything you see.
You will have abilities to change things you don’t yet have in your realm, and you will change fates you don’t yet understand if you try. Are you ready?”
How could I be ready for anything with that kind of warning?
I nodded anyway. She reached for my hand, and I took it.
Suddenly we were in some type of tunnel, lights streaming past us in rapid speed, the motion making me feel so sick to my stomach.
We stopped as fast as we started, landing in an alley I recognized out in town.
I leaned against a wall and puked, grabbing a handkerchief to wipe my face after.
“You could have warned me about that.”
Mina smiled, “And miss the fun of this? I’d never.”
“For a Goddess of Peace and Order, I’m not feeling either.” I replied.
“Of course not. You’re in a future that your choices are created, not mine. Look around and learn what I’m trying to teach you.”
I listened, tucking my handkerchief back in its pocket.
While I recognized this alley, I recognized little.
Homes were in such disrepair that many had wide holes into the living spaces.
People were in torn, raggedy clothing. This made little sense.
This was supposed to be one of the merchant districts, the one we took visiting dignitaries through to show how prosperous Elthas is.
“What happened?” I whispered as I hesitantly walked out to the main street to investigate more .
“You did. Instead of your people, you chose love. You ran away, choosing exile, instead of fighting to show your people a better way. Ethan had to rule, but he was never strong enough. He got bullied by that horrible Council of yours, and that bastard Denenbaum got his way. That God you call Death called the shots from his own perch in Scoria Bay. All the kingdoms have fallen to ruin.”
“Are you saying I can’t have love in my life?” I couldn’t let my country, or others, fall like this. “I have to give up my happiness for the rest of the world to have theirs?”
Mina placed a hand on my shoulder, causing me to turn to face her.
I studied her face, her lips pressed into a faint, knowing smile, eyes soft with a sadness that wasn’t hers to bear.
“No, my Nivara, I want you to understand that you don’t give up any of it.
You fight for your love for Amyra, for your connection with Spencer and your people.
You don’t let anyone tell you what to do. ”
I nodded, looking around. “I never want my people to suffer while I hide. Running away was never in my plans, but I’ll fight to avoid exile now. They will have to kill me if they want to take my throne from me.”
I continued to walk the road that was supposed to be filled with the finest of wares, but I saw orphans begging, elderly huddling in doorways, barely alive, and so much destruction.
Some buildings didn’t have roofs, others were just shells.
Stones crumbled in, like they were taken out by some massive force.
Mina smiled, “One exception, as I train you. It’ll be easier if you let me lead and tell you what to do.”
I turned to her and nodded. “I need you. This can’t be allowed to happen. Tell me how to prevent this.”
Mina grabbed my hand, and without warning, we were back in that tunnel of lights, moving so fast I could barely keep my footing. We dropped into the blank, black space, but thankfully I didn’t vomit this time, as I fell to my knees, still so sick to my stomach.
“Please, never do that without warning again,” I sputtered between bursts of dry heaving .
Mina laughed. “You’ll get used to that one day. Until then, I’m going to get my fun where I can.”
“Now, before I release you back to your body, you should know while this felt like a half hour for us, it was just seconds for the others in the room.” Mina cautioned me.
I nodded. She shimmered into nothingness, and then I felt my spirit return to my body.
Even though I went from weightlessness to feeling the full weight of my body, I felt better, lighter, being back to me. That entire experience was so weird.
“I hope to never have to do that again.” I mumbled as I stood up to turn my chair back to the table. Spencer jumped up to help me with the chair. Once I was back in my seat, he moved to help Mina get her chair back in place as well.
“What just happened?” Amyra asked, her brows pinched and lips slightly parted, worry flickering in her eyes.
“I received the message loud and clear. I will fight for all that we deserve. Denenbaum, Egan, and the Priests of Bel don’t deserve to win.” I offered Amyra a steady gaze, my jaw set, chin lifted, and fire burning behind my eyes. I turned to Mina, “Let’s go. How do I reshape this world?”
Mina laughed, clapping once, then slapped the table. “That’s my girl. First things first, we got to get you on that throne. When’s the wedding?”
“Spring equinox,” Ivy volunteered.
“Oh no, that won’t do. We need the wedding pushed up. Winter solstice should do. Make sure your coronation happens then, too. You probably need to get those planners back in here. They will not like that part.”
“What? I couldn’t ask them to plan that. That would be a logistical nightmare.” I protested.
“You need to. By spring, Scoria Bay will make their move. You need to get these parts out of the way so we can focus on the war.” Mina insisted.
She gave me a knowing look. Those buildings had crumbled because of this war. We lost. I nodded. “Ivy, you probably need to send that message to them. I guess clear the schedule for when they can meet next. I might need to just delegate all planning to you two.”
Mina nodded. “Yes, if Amyra and Ivy could do that and leave you free to train with me, we’d be far more prepared. Good idea. Ivy, just handle it without the Princess.” She directed.
Ivy looked at me, confused. I confirmed what Mina had just ordered. “She’s right. We can talk about any details during breakfasts or dinner, but it’ll have to be out of my hands.”
“Ok, I’d like to meet your priestesses. I need to know what’s happening with magic around here. When do you see them next?”
“Tomorrow morning,” Ivy replied. She always knew my schedule better than me.
“Excellent. I’ll join you.” Mina nodded. “About that Scoria Bay dealings. Who’s handling that? I assume they aren’t keeping a princess in the loop; I need to talk with the people in charge.”
“Father, and the Army Generals.” I replied.
“Ah, well, I’ll meet with them tomorrow afternoon. Someone let them know to be ready?”
Amyra started scribbling a note. “She will,” I replied.
“And you, Spencer, what’s your role in all this before the coronation?”
I looked at Spencer, who stood frozen, his eyes wide and unblinking. “Uh, I have just been supporting Lyla and learning what I can when I can.”
“Seriously? You’re going to be king in two months.
We need you learning faster, more. You’ll be at that meeting in the afternoon.
” Mina nodded, as if that was all it took.
And I supposed, as a goddess, she really could do that.
Except that we can’t let people know a goddess is awake and in the flesh, could we?
“I’m not sure that’s that easy, Mina.” I countered.
“We can’t just allow things to happen by your decree, if we are to hide that you’re here.
We can’t just let the whole castle know you’re here or else people will flock to the castle to demand an audience with you, hoping you’ll fix their problems.”
Mina sat thoughtfully for a moment. “You pose a good point, Lyla. You have good instincts. Spencer, you will join us. The outgoing king and Army Generals need to know I’m here, but I’ll have them sign an NDA.”
We stared at her blankly.
“What?” Our confusion confused her for a moment, before clarity reflected in her eyes. “Oh, you don’t know what the NDA is. I’ll have them swear to secrecy. They’ll come up with a suitable cover for who I am. That’s their job.”
She always said the weirdest things. Once she was certain we understood her, she issued a bunch of orders.
“OK, now that there’s a plan, Ivy, go get those planners up in arms again.
Amyra, deliver that letter to whoever needs it.
The two future rulers and I will spend the rest of the evening training.
Uh, Amyra might want to send the priestesses who had been training them here.
They’ll probably love to learn more about how to prepare stronger magic wielders. ”
Ivy and Amyra left, and she turned to us.
We were required to show our abilities. She asked what the most powerful thing was that I’d done, other than the volcano.
She challenged Spencer with his shields and his ability to penetrate hers.
We spent hours working on shielding until our minds felt scrambled.
The daylight turned to dusk when someone knocked on the door.
Spencer stood to check and found food delivered to us.
We stopped to eat, discussing strategies throughout dinner.
Mina shared details about the Last War that had been long forgotten.
When Mina finished, we were all exhausted.
It was well past our usual time to retire.
Mina had assured me that her quarters were fit for her needs, and we agreed to meet in the morning with the Priestesses.