Total pages in book: 129
Estimated words: 121339 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 607(@200wpm)___ 485(@250wpm)___ 404(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 121339 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 607(@200wpm)___ 485(@250wpm)___ 404(@300wpm)
“Forgive me,” Tarian said respectfully, “but how could you let things get so bad? The magic so twisted? The whole of the realm was suffering, leaking into the human realm. Scrolls said that, in ages past, that was enough for a war of the gods.”
She turned to the female on her right. “I think he wants an explanation.”
“I would want an explanation,” another female said, looking around. “It has been an amusing distraction, but it certainly did go to extremes.”
“Yes.” Equilas looked at Tarian for some time before her gaze roamed to Daisy. “Are you not curious why your ink turned from the gold of your birth to that which you now wear?”
“I did wonder, yes. Eldric didn’t know.”
“I’m back here, Your Mightiness. I do admit, that was a glaring hole in my knowledge base. I—”
She waved her hand, silencing Eldric magically. Her gaze never left Tarian.
“Your birth was of great interest to the more romantic of us,” Equilas said, and the god of the afterlife rolled his eyes and hunched in annoyance. Clearly, he wasn’t one of them. “The moment you came into the world, Elysara Saw your fated match.” Her gaze switched to Daisy, who froze. “Elysara is the Divine Seer, the youngest of the sisters.”
The female to Equilas’s left, her white-blond hair glowing as though made of stars, inclined her head. “It has been an age since a Sight has been so riveting. So wrapped in love and loss, feast and famine. A tale of torture and pleasure. And without an outcome! I Saw events as they could be, as they might be, but not as they would be.”
“As you know, my task in this collective is to keep balance,” Equilas said. “Your death would’ve been a natural return to that balance. You had too much power, Tarianthiel. You pulled too much at the tapestry of Faerie for the position you held. Taking the throne and mitigating your power in intervals would’ve worked. Your family knew that even though you did not. They knew the choice was your death…or your elevation to the Diamond Throne. For you, there were no other options. Even now. I think you know that.”
He pulled Daisy closer still. He knew, and it was why he’d resigned to trade himself. Not for the gods’ entertainment, but to protect his family. To protect his father.
She let go of his hand and wrapped her arms around his middle, her thoughts whirling. He covered her shoulders with his arm.
“So yes, your death would’ve relieved the pressure on the fabric of Faerie,” the god continued. “But…”
“Your fated mate was to become the crystal chalice!” Elysara exclaimed, and Daisy’s stomach filled with butterflies.
She looked up at Tarian in disbelief. He met her gaze and sudden understanding lit his eyes. His smile was just for her.
It wasn’t the gods at all, he thought. It was destiny.
“Yes, that,” the god went on. “And…well, you were always my favorite, Tarianthiel.” Equilas smiled behind her fingers at him. “So dashing. So handsome. I’d thought to take you for myself…”
“Definitely not.” Elysara glowered at her.
“He should’ve been mine,” the god of the afterlife said. “He would’ve died fairly. He would’ve been a great favorite in my domain.”
Elysara extended her hand toward Daisy. “And deny him that? And her that?”
“Anyway.” Equilas dropped her hand. “It was thought you needed another chance to fulfill the Sight.”
“And while they waited, they thought it would be fun to take bets on the outcome,” the female with black hair said in obvious disdain.
“Would it kill you to have a little fun?” Elysara rolled her eyes.
“Half the Obsidian Court is dead,” the other said. “The magic was so twisted by the end that it had taken on a life of its own.”
“They would’ve been killed anyway.” Equilas waved it away. “Plus, your obsidian prince still lives. He can take over. You liked him best anyway. I know you’ve dabbled with him.” She lifted her eyebrows at her sister, who didn’t respond.
Equilas smirked, returning her attention to Daisy and Tarian.
“But…what if I had failed?” Tarian asked.
“We would’ve handled it. We were monitoring you every step of the way—”
“And taking bets,” Black Hair murmured.
“I have to admit…” The god of the afterlife scratched his chin, back to looking at Lexi. “It was interesting there toward the end.”
“So you see—” Equilas tried to continue.
“Long story long,” the other male muttered.
Equilas sighed in annoyance. “So you see,” she went on pointedly, “her markings are divine crystalline, as befits her station and her magic. Crystal holds energy. It boosts power. As her fated mate, Tarian, she gifts this great marking to you, the noblest in the realm.”
“Her station?” Tarian asked guardedly.
“But of course. She is the prize of Faerie, child, chosen by the stars. Her magic grants her eternal life and the potential for godly power.”