Page 44 of A Dawn of Gods & Fury

Speaking of formidable things flying out of the Nulling … “I saw Queen Neilina’s body carried out of the rift. A wyvern saved her.”

“You rule the Ybarisan realm now. Why do you concern yourself with the past?”

“Why did the wyvern save her, Lucretia?” My voice reverberates off the stone as I enunciate each word, my anger bleeding through. I’ve learned how the sylx works. She shares information when she chooses, not necessarily when I ask for it. In this case, I’m demanding an answer.

Lucretia meets the wisp elder’s sharp eyes, holding them a few beats. “It did not.”

“I know what I saw.”

Again, Lucretia checks with the wisp elder before speaking. It dawns on me that they must be able to communicate as Oredai does, his voice leaking into my mind like cold water in my shoes. According to Jarek and Zorya, Lucretia is also adept at slinking into peoples’ minds to communicate.

“The previous Ybarisan queen has not owned her life since the day she begged a fate for a weapon. She has long since been marked as a vessel and willingly accepted a token to aid in the transition.”

“Aoife’s antlers.” It is as Agatha feared, that garish piece that adorned her neck. I shouldn’t be surprised. It was Malachi’s horn that Sofie used to bind me to this body I inhabit now.

“A more powerful gift from the fate could not be granted than the bone from their head or wing from their back, though in reality, it was not a gift for the queen but for the fate herself.”

Because Aoife planned to walk this plane again, just as Malachi has. “So Aoife is here.”

“Not here. Not yet.”

“But she’s coming.”

“Perhaps. Or perhaps she will find suitable interests elsewhere. I cannot speak to her desires.”

“Her desire is to rule. Anyone with half a brain knows that. And you’re speaking in riddles again.” My patience is thinning, despite our audience.

“I speak only the truth, even if you may not understand it. There are realms beyond that which you see and designs beyond that which you know. Regardless, the host body must mend first. Its wounds were grave. You ensured that with a well-placed dagger.”

“The one you gave me.” A token from Malachi that I embedded in Neilina’s throat.

“That was a gift from my master.” She nods toward the Cindrae elder. “It was meant to delay the healing process, to give you time. But it will not stop it entirely.”

“So, you’re telling me you knew Aoife was planning to return and you never said anything?”

“Your Highness, you are far too focused on the threat that isn’t before you that you have not even asked about the one that is.” Lucretia’s musical laughter rings out.

My stomach tightens with understanding as I process her words. “Malachi is here.” It’s as much a statement as a question. We knew he would come. That has always been his purpose. I just didn’t expect it to be so soon. “Where is he?”

“Where one would expect a fate desperate to play king to be.” Lucretia’s odd citron-colored irises dance with delight. “In an abandoned kingdom.”

I shut my eyes with dismay. Zander went to Cirilea, didn’t he? Does he know? I really need to get this meeting over with so I can fly to the rift and see him. “How do we defeat Malachi?”

Lucretia looks this time to the Cindrae elder. Whatever passes between them, she doesn’t share.

“Why do you speak for them?” I ask suddenly.

“I speak for my masters now as I always have. It is my duty.”

“They can’t speak for themselves?”

Her lips quirk. “You would prefer they do not.”

I groan. “Fine. How do we defeat Malachi?” I repeat, urgency in my tone.

“You are the Queen for All.”

“But what does that mean besides wearing this stupid crown?” I throw a hand toward my head.

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