Page 9 of Chaos Tempted

MAGE NEVEN

ELDRIN

Mage Neven waits for us in my meeting chambers. When the four of us enter, we bow in deference to the mage’s station as a spiritual leader. I’ve placed extra guards outside the room to ensure her safety. I refuse to allow anything to happen to the seer or to Wyn.

“Come, sit.” Mage Neven hurries us over.

I raise an eyebrow at her in surprise. Mages are often too slow for my liking, but something has Neven riled enough to get to the point.

“I know. It’s unlike me to rush,” Neven says in response to my expression. “And I know why you seek my counsel—the blood, the threats… unspoken and otherwise.”

“And?” I prompt. “What’s your advice?”

Mage Neven’s intense gaze lands on Wyn.

I shift uncomfortably in my chair, dreading what she might say. Will the seer tell Wyn to run? Will I lose the love of my life, my reason for being?

Neven shoots a glance at me, as if she hears my thoughts. And perhaps she does. I do not know the extent of her powers. What I know is that my powerful father is wary of the mage and never visits her in person. Not that he’s sought a mage’s advice since my mother passed away. No, now he only relies on his right hand and commander, Turgon.

“You haven’t told her,” the mage states without question.

“Told her what?” Oakes asks a little too innocently, but his voice reveals some knowledge of the prophecy and Wynstelle’s role in starting another realm war.

Neven narrows her eyes at Oakes. “I understand your need to protect her from harsh realities, but she needs to know her part so she can make informed decisions.”

“What is it? What have they been keeping from me?” Wyn’s eyes are wide with concern, and she inches forward nervously to the edge of her chair.

“I received a prophetic message stating that your life sealed the peace treaty, and your blood will break it.”

“My death will start the war?” Wyn asks.

Neven shrugs. “I don’t know.”

“You don’tknow?” Wyn shakes her head in disbelief at the suddenly flippant attitude of the mage.

“Those are the words that came through when I divined about your part in the war. However, prophecy is a tricky thing. Interpretations can be biased and drawn too hastily.”

“Then what is your interpretation?” Wyn asks with an edge.

She is definitely tired of the games and demands answers. This more confident and assertive side is exactly what I had glimpsed before and I love watching her bloom into the womanshe is meant to be—not that I likewhyshe has to bloom so quickly.

“Blood doesn’t always mean death,” the mage explains. “And you have already shed bloodtwice—when the elf attacked you and then when the humans did. So I would also argue the treaty has already been broken, and the prophecy has been fulfilled. While we might not see obvious evidence of it yet, the war has already begun.”

“My father,” I grumble.

“Yes. King Magnus’ actions indicate that he’s well on his way to the full-blown war he desires.”

“Unfortunately, there are humans who will be happy to oblige him,” Jaden growls.

“True, but on either side, the majoritydon’twant a war,” Neven adds.

“Have you seen a way to stop it?” I ask, hoping she will have some way for me to protect my love and my kingdom from my father’s plans. “What can we do?”

“You can mate bond,” Neven says simply.

Wyn’s mouth drops open. Even the rest of us look confused by the connection.

Wyn dares to ask after a long silence. “How will my mating help stop a war?”

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