Chapter 1 Bechora #2
“The prophecy of the Starcaller,” she said, her tone quiet, but carrying the weight of centuries. “The Oracles whispered it after the first Starcaller Queen wove the Veils and divided the realms. It speaks of her bloodline rising again when a false king seeks to tear those Veils apart.”
I shook my head, blinking away tears that formed while she spoke of my family. “I don’t understand.”
Lilith nodded, her expression growing dim.
“The Veils were never meant to thin or fade. They’re living seals, bound by light, shadow, and the Starcaller Queen’s blood.
They keep the realms separate. Mortal, supernatural, elven, and dangerous creatures created by the Mad Elven King before he was banished in his bid to take control of power not meant to be controlled. ”
A cold weight settled in my gut. “And you think this prophecy is about me? That I’m supposed to stop Evarian?
I didn’t even know supernaturals existed before I was brought to the academy.
I don’t know what my abilities mean, let alone how to use them.
I’m just a girl who grew up rough; I’m not some savior of realms. I can’t stop a king ! ”
Lilith’s eyes gleamed, neither cruel nor kind.
“This is why you must visit the archives. You are the prophecy, Bechora. The last light of the Starcaller Queen’s line, born beneath the same convergence that crowned her.
The Oracles foretold that when the false king reached for creation again, her blood would rise to defend it.
” She paused, her expression softening. “You have every right to be afraid, but you no longer have the luxury of running. None of us do.”
Her words scraped against something raw in me.
Lucifer’s gaze shifted toward the floor, the faintest shimmer of power humming beneath his voice when he spoke.
“The false king grows stronger by the day. He feeds on what was forbidden long before the first throne was carved from stone—he steals the essence of life itself. If he tears apart the Veils…” His eyes met mine, bright and terrible. “He won’t just rule. He will consume. ”
“I’m just one person,” I said, my voice barely a whisper.
“You are more than you realize, Bechora,” Lilith replied, conviction ringing in her tone.
“You can choose to embrace what you are and what you’re meant to do, or you can do nothing and watch as the world you know ends.
Blackthorne, your friends, every realm bound by the Veils will burn if you choose to do nothing. ”
“I’m not… I can’t…” I stammered, the weight of her words twisting together with fear as it lanced through me. “That’s too much to ask of one person.”
Lilith stepped closer and cupped my face in her hands.
“Fate rarely asks if you’re ready before it gives you a destiny.
It is a heavy burden you bear, but trust in your mates, your friends…
your allies, to help carry it.” Her hands fell away from my face, and she looked over my shoulder to Zypher.
“The three of you should rest. You’ll leave tomorrow for Abel’s archives; he’s expecting you. ”
Zypher moved to my side, hovering close as if he wanted to touch me but was afraid of being rejected. “Come, Dilectus. I will show you to my quarters.”
I hesitated, still raw and shaken, but nodded. “All right.”
Zypher inclined his head slightly, then turned, the tension in his shoulders betraying the calm he tried to hold. Gabriel gave me a look that said He’ll unravel if you don’t go after him, then followed a few paces behind as Zypher led us through the long hall.
The corridors he led us through were nothing like the Academy.
They were carved from pale stone that seemed to emit a faint glow, veins of gold pulsing slightly as we passed by.
I could feel the magic in the place humming beneath my feet.
Ancient, endless, and yet familiar. Zypher walked a few steps ahead of us, glancing over his shoulder every so often as though to check we were still there.
None of us spoke as we made our way through the winding halls, the silence stretching, brittle and uncomfortable.
When we finally reached a smaller hall, lined with black doors, he stopped in front of one carved with intricate patterns that pulsed faintly at his arrival.
He pressed his palm to the smooth, black surface, and the symbols flared before the door swung inward.
“My rooms are through here,” he said, his tone measured. “They’ll be warded for rest and safety. You’ll both be protected.”
He turned slightly, his expression shadowed by the soft light filtering through the high arches. “If you’d prefer separate quarters, I can—”
“Zypher.” I cut him off before he could finish, my voice softer than I meant it to be. He stilled. I took a step closer, my throat tightening with the words I’d been choking on since the throne room. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have lost my temper like that on you.”
His eyes met mine, cautious and uncertain, as if he wasn’t sure if he was imagining my words.
“I was confused and hurt at the thought you’d lied to me about always having a choice,” I continued, my voice trembling. “And I had every right to be. But it wasn’t you that took my choice away.”
One side of his mouth ticked up into a soft smile. “You have nothing to apologize for, Dilectus. I should have taken a moment to explain what Aegis Maleficarum was. Had I done so, you would have known right away that this was not my doing.”
“Still,” I murmured. “I’m sorry.”
He let out a slow breath, the tension in his shoulders loosening. “Then we’re even,” he said after a moment, a hint of dry humor ghosting through his tone.
Gabriel, who had been uncharacteristically quiet, gave a low hum from where he leaned against the doorway. “Finally. I was starting to think we’d be here all night waiting for the apology tour to end.”
That startled a small laugh out of me—tired, but genuine. The kind that eased something tight in my chest. Zypher’s mouth curved fully into a smile, unable to quite stop himself.
“Come,” he said, “I’ll show you where you can clean up and change before we rest.”