Chapter 26
Chapter
Twenty-Six
NISSA
When we land outside of the castle, the sun is setting. The only evidence of the Goddess’s wrath are the wet cobblestones and a pile of scorched wood from the destroyed wagon stacked against the castle wall. His arms are still wrapped around my body protectively, neither of us are ready to let go.
We had been so close.
The moonlight shines down on us and I lean my head against his chest. Closing my eyes, the steady beat of his heart is a comfort to my soul.
“I always wanted it to be you,” I say quietly. And truthfully, I always believed the Goddess wanted it to be us too.
He doesn’t respond. He just pulls me closer, drawing circles on my lower back with his thumb.
Goddess, what do you want me to do?
I open my eyes and stare up at the waxing moon surrounded by a star filled sky. Something about its beauty pulling at me.
His chest rises like he is preparing to say something, and I know whatever it is will break the last piece left of me. So I quickly pull away, already missing the feel of our magic dancing with one another.
“I need to go think through everything we learned. Figure it out. We have to be missing something.” His face falls but there is a light of determination in his eyes as I back away from him towards the door.
My heart races as I pace my room, going over ever detail of the prophecy in my mind for what feels like the millionth time. Gaia clearly wants me in Castara to rule but with who?
I begin breaking everything I know down.
The storms started around the time that I was sent to the Homestead and continued for the years while I was gone. A storm hit the Elite City for the first time the same moment Nova was killed.
And the City was hit a second time when Cillian and I agreed to leave together, following us to Pollara. Only stopping when I said we needed to return to Castara. Otherwise, there have not been storms since I have moved into the castle or when I visited Varetheil.
I shake out my hands as frustrated energy swirls inside of me, tinkling in my fingertips. The timing of the storms does seem to support the fact that the storms are related to me ruling or at least staying in Castara. But it doesn’t help tell me which Kingdom she wants me in now that Nova is gone.
Why would anyone want me to rule anyways? And could the kingdom have changed with Nova’s death?
Even if we figure out which kingdom it doesn’t guarantee that they will stop once I am Queen. All this could be for nothing…
What is your plan here, Gaia? What am I missing?
Celyste thinks I am betrothed to Aiden. Could that explain why he was so attentive to me during the visit? So worried about my safety?Giving me a way back to him. Does he know about the prophecy or was it just a natural instinct to take care of me? The mate bond driving him.
Something is there at the edge of my mind. But what is it? What am I missing?
Knowing about the prophecy could give Aiden motive to have killed Nova... Based on the Vaylor’s thoughts: no Daughter of Gaia, no King. Which would mean Caspien couldn’t become King without Nova and Aiden would be crowned with me.
Maybe that is why he is so calm about everything during the meeting. Does he think the ceremony with Caspien won’t work because I am betrothed to him?
When was he born anyways? What is his birth order? And where does Cillian even fit in with all of this? He was born on our birthdate as well. He is the one I have a connection with.
I rub my hands over my face. My head is pounding more and more with each additional theory. And that is all they are. Theories.
How am I supposed to know what some Goddess intended an unknown number of years ago when She prophesied my birth?
Groaning with my lack of progress, I dig through my herbs, pulling out lemon balm, passionflower, and holy basil.
With the brewed tea in hand, I walk the empty hallways towards the archives.
Maybe I can find something helpful now that I know the context of the prophecy and how Varethiel is connected.
Cyndr lays curled up in a ball at the lip of the fire basin, one golden eye cracking open as I walk into the room. When he sees me his little spiked tail flips up in response. He stands stretching his wings out, and then sits at the edge patiently waiting for me to approach.
“Hey friend,” I smile as I ruffle the feathers on the top of his head. “I can’t tell you how good it is to see you.” I hold my hand out to him and he scurries up my arm, nuzzling into my neck with a content rumble. I giggle, heading to one of the chairs surrounding the earth basin.
I drop down in the vine woven seating to drink my tea, tired down to my roots.
I lift the mug to my mouth and take a sip, savoring the warmth that fills me.
Leaning my head back, I close my eyes and wait for the calming and mental benefits of the concoction to take effect.
Cyndr takes up a new position in my lap and I unconsciously rub his back.
What does Isolde know? According to Celyste, she knew about the prophecy and still sent me away.
She doesn’t know if they need me for Caspien to become king but isn’t willing to risk it. Beyond those few things, I’m only guessing and I have no intention of asking her about it.
Taking another sip, I run the prophecy over in my head again.
When twin daughters bloom beneath the veiled skies…
I open my eyes staring up through the glass ceiling, the starry night stretching out above me. Beams of moon light spill into the room through the domed windows.
With the light falling across my face, I freeze taking in the moon above me. Could that be… Oh my Goddess.
“Cyndr, that could be it!” The little dryrd perks up, flapping his wings in response to my excitement.
“Come on, we have to find Cillian!”