Page 46 of A Dawn of Gods & Fury

I stagger to my feet, wiping the back of my hand against my mouth. My affinities still ripple beneath my skin. Could I kill these elders with it? What would happen if I did? Would others take their place?

As one, they dip their heads. A sign of apology or respect? I can’t tell. Nor do I care. “As much fun as this has been, I have too many places to be and enemies to defend against. Thank you for your help with the blood curse. If you don’t see your Queen for All again, it’s because I’ve been trapped by Mordain’s guild, or killed by a beast, or Malachi has—”

The goblin elder opens its mouth and the shrill, layered scream it emits makes my teeth clench. Thankfully, this time it is out loud rather than inside my head.

“There are four factions and so there must be four offerings made to the Queen for All.” Lucretia strolls to the far end where the gargoyle sits. In its massive grip is a bronze horn. She bows and collects it before handing it to me. “A gift from the golle.”

I study the enormous smooth bronze token in the shape of a bull horn. “What does it do?”

“When you find yourself in the deepest of perils, in your darkest, most desperate hour, put it to your lips, and relief will arrive. But do not waste this gift, as it may be used once and once only.”

“What kind of relief?”

“The kind your people will need,” she answers vaguely, and I sense that’s the only answer I’ll get.

“Thank you,” I mumble, meeting the gargoyle—the golle—elder’s eyes.

“There is one more. Perhaps the most valuable to you.” Lucretia collects a set of thin gold bracelets that suddenly appear in the wisp elder’s grasp. She hands them to me. They’re similar in design to the ones Zander put on me when I first came to Islor, though far more delicate. “She who wears these shall never be separated from her affinities.”

“Never be …” My voice fades as I grasp her meaning. “Even against powerful caster wards?”

Lucretia dips her head.

A smile stretches across my face as I gingerly slip them on and squeeze the open ends together until they seal shut, fitting snuggly around my wrists. The seams vanish. I dip my head toward the wisp elder. “Thank you.”

“My masters have granted the Queen of All what she desired most and what she needed most.” Lucretia’s eyes meet the elders, each in turn. She bows deeply, and it’s a long moment before she rises again. “Their obligation is now fulfilled.”

I frown. “What do you mean by oblig—ation.” My voice falters as I take in the sudden change in surroundings. I’m back in the dark, dank circular crypt. At my feet are chunks of stone where the statues broke apart. The pedestals sit empty.

“Where did they go?” I say.

“Their duty is fulfilled,” Lucretia answers.

I search but can’t find her. It’s not the first time she’s hidden in the shadows. “But what if I need them again? I thought I was their queen.”

“And they have bestowed the greatest offerings to you as such. The gift of obscurity from the kaeli, of time from the Cindrae, of relief from the golle, and resistance from the wisps. A kingdom for asylum, filled with the knowledge you seek. You have everything you need from them. Now it is time to fight your war.” Lucretia finally emerges. She’s changed out of her white coat, replacing it with an outfit that is a replica of mine, right down to the soft brown leather boots. Even her auburn hair is braided in an intricate weave that matches Corrin’s work.

“What is this?” I drag a finger through the air from head to toe.

She looks down at her outfit. “Is this not what we wear to war?”

“It’s what I’m wearing. Why are you wearing it?”

“My masters have released me from service. I am free to choose my path, and I choose to serve Her Highness.”

“So, you’ll admit you weren’t actually serving me before.”

“Have I not been helpful?”

I sigh. As frustrated as I’ve been with Lucretia, as many games as she seems to play, she is still the best source of information we have. My focus lands on the engravings that make up the carved stone doors. At least they’ve returned. “Which one leads to Nyos?”

She gestures to a rectangle on my left.

“And it works now?”

“There is only one way to know.”

I close the distance. Adrenaline pumps through my veins as I drag my fingertip over the scripture …

---