Chapter 83 #2
I swayed, and my head began to throb, the shock and the power required to stay here this long taking their toll. But I had to stay. I had to know everything.
“Tell me what happened next.”
The Higher One glanced at me and went on.
“Unir made children, creating gods by spontaneous creation. He made some of light so bright it could blind, and others he carved from darkness itself. Three of them were so strong that he lost control of them. Three born from blood—one that sheds it, one that bends it, and one that consumes it.”
One that consumes it—that was Kaden. But who were the other two?
“The others saw what Unir could do. Seeds of doubt spread about the powerful children that he made, and gods turned against gods. Unir hid his children, locking them away. All but one, and that one has lived under your nose for a very long time. In an attempt to bring peace, he sowed hatred and jealousy from those he’d created.
Jealousy because true love came and bore fruit.
A child so filled with light that it solidified their hate.
You are that light. Your birth began the Gods War, and your death will unleash chaos itself.
” The Higher One shrugged, picking at her nails.
“I guess your name holds more merit now than ever. That’s kind of funny, huh? ”
The room spun, my mind trying to process everything while balancing and holding onto this plane. I grabbed my head, willing myself to stay, blood dripping from my nose. I wiped it away and stood straighter.
“I just didn’t see. I thought he meant her. This is how the world ends. But it wasn’t her. It was never her.”
The Higher One looked at me curiously. “Who? Your amata?”
My heart stopped.
“My what?”
“Your amata. You know, this beautiful being,” she said, gesturing toward the facade of Dianna she wore. “You know, I really thought The Order killed her as an infant, but here we are. Kind of funny, huh? She’s definitely your type, though.”
My entire world shifted.
The Higher One grinned. “You truly didn’t know?
It explains why you two have been so ravenous in your lovemaking and probably fighting.
It’s that mark trying to form and seal itself, bind your souls by any means necessary.
Why do you think her fire doesn’t burn you?
Your lightning, your power, are they not the same?
Thunder is only heat expanded. Nature always makes you in pairs, sometimes more.
I mean, you are the creation to her ruination. It’s synchronicity.”
The words shattered my very soul. I had one.
It was Dianna. It was always Dianna. Every thought, every feeling I had for her since the day I met her, why she touched every part of me, why I couldn’t stop thinking about her.
Everything fell into place as if I had found a key to a puzzle, and everything finally made sense.
It was deeper than love in mortal terms. Dianna was part of my soul.
The Higher One went on as if she hadn’t just unveiled something so important and special.
“I am surprised it took this long for you two to come together. You were both locked in the same realm. I really thought they would separate you further, especially since fate works for the One True King.”
Fate. My head snapped toward the Higher One.
“Roccurem works for Kaden?” I was seething. This entire time? Rage flared in my blood, the tattoos on my body igniting with silver. He had been close to Dianna the entire time. The room shook, pain piercing my eyes and burrowing into my skull.
The Higher One laughed and shook her head. “Oh gods, no. Roccurem works for your father. The other two Moirai work for the One True King.”
The other two Moirai? The fates. Roccurem’s siblings.
“They’re still alive?”
The Higher One nodded playfully, taking on more of Dianna’s mannerisms. “Yup.”
“This whole time, I have been lied to like a child. Important life-altering information kept from me. Why?” I hissed. Warm liquid dripped from my nose, my head throbbing as my body tried to force me back.
“It doesn’t matter now. It’s too late. The equinox crests soon.” The Higher One moved, appearing in front of me. She reached out and grabbed my hand, holding it up to examine it. “And I do not see the mark upon your finger. It seems your time has run out. I guess he really did do it.”
I yanked my hand away. “Do what?”
The room spun as I shook my head, fighting the pull of my body to wake me up. I took a step back, my vision blurring.
The Higher One stepped closer, her form bending.
“I cannot tell you how excited I am. How excited everyone is that you are finally going to die. You see, I was merely a distraction to keep you immobile while The Order worked. Because once you’re dead, I am finally free.
We all are. Your father locked a lot of us away, trying to preserve a future for every living being.
All he ended up doing was creating a legion that would destroy everything he sought to protect. ”
My body bent, my knees hitting the floor. My shoulders ached as my arms were wrenched wide, held taut as if heavy chains clamped my wrists.
The Higher One glanced up, her hand reaching toward the tall white ceiling. “I miss the cosmos.”
“What is this?” It was a demand, not a question. The room trembled as my powers surged, trying to come to my defense.
The Higher One stepped in front of me, its image of Dianna melting. It dissipated into its shapeless, darkened mist, its voice echoing all around me. “The real tragedy is that you have no allies, false king. You never did. I guess you and your amata are alike in that way, too.”
The room shook as my mind, my being, slammed back into my body.
I tried to sit up, a sharp, violent pain piercing my skull.
I forced myself to turn, trying to push to my hands and knees, stopping when chains clattered against the polished stone floor.
A rune-sealed circle encased me, my wrists chained, the other ends melded with the floor.
“Great. You’re awake. Now we can begin.”
My head snapped up, and for the first time, I noticed Elianna and the rest of the council standing outside the circle.