Page 72 of Queen of Serpents and Shadows

Nona’s sisters gaped at her. “What did you do?” Decima asked.

“What I had to,” Nona hissed. “I’m finished being a tool for the gods. I want to control my own fate, not justeveryone else’s.”

“So you gave power to a madman?” Decima asked.

“You know more than us what that outcome will be,” Morta said.

“It’s the only path that might give us the power we deserve,” she shot back.

“You’re trading one master for another,” Decima snapped. “The Fae King does not share power.”

“He stole his own mate’s magic and buried her in an underground prison,” Morta explained. “He would gladly sacrifice his own children. And you think you’ll be the one to stand against him?”

“He’s using you, you idiot,” Decima spat.

“They all use us,” Nona snarled. “We can defeat him. Together.”

“Not with the power you gave him.” I pulled away from Ryvin. “We were there. We saw the control he has. What do you think will happen once he claims Athos? He’s turned everyone into an ally because they fear him.”

“And it won’t be long before they turn against him,” Decima said. “You know I speak the truth. You’ll gain your power, but over a world of corpses.”

“There will be nobody left but us and the gods,” Morta said.

I shivered at the chilling picture.

“You know we speak truth,” Decima said gently.

Nona’s lower lip was trembling, and I suddenly saw her more like a spoiled child than a grown woman. Let alone a deity who could control and command human lives.

“You’re certain?” she asked.

Decima and Morta simply stared at their sister.

I watched them, my breathing growing more difficult by the heartbeat. Fighting against the exhaustion and the desire to close my eyes, I waited.

Finally, Nona nodded. “Fine. I will revoke the gift.”

I let out a long breath. “Thank you.” Ryvin and Vanth echoed my gratitude, but their tones were muted.

“You will owe me a favor,” Nona replied.

“I’d be happy to give you one, but I’m afraid I won’t be here to repay it,” I said.

She scowled. “You are not meant to die yet.”

“I thought I didn’t have a path?” I asked.

“You do now,” Nona said. “You have changed the stars, Ara of Athos.”

“I hate when they do that,” Decima said. “I don’t like changes.”

“How?” I took a step closer to the fates, but my unsteady legs nearly gave way. Ryvin caught me.

“Does this mean she’ll pass the poison?” Ryvin asked.

“No, it means someone will have to save her,” Morta answered.

“The spring here,” Vanth suddenly said. “Are the stories true?”

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