Page 47 of Shrine of Fire

“When we find more omegas born with spirit magic,” Nova said, taking Stefan’s hand. “We will find someone that suits the Shrine of your land. She will be bonded, and able to allow small bursts of spirit magic out instead of too much or not enough.”

“And how does that work exactly?” Cuanciardha smiled, but there was an edge to it. “Shall she be married off to one of the chiefs here, as you have been betrothed the Heir to the Ember Throne?”

“Cuan,” the Chief snapped. “We do not need to work out the details now. Let us speak of lighter things.”

“Of course,” Nova said. “I’ve heard wonderful tales of how you united the clans. Was this a dream of your grandfather’s?”

Successfully changing the subject, the Chief spoke of his grandfather’s legacy the rest of the trip to the Great Hall.

I shared a glance with Aki. Interesting, again. Cuan and his father didn’t see eye to eye. I would have to get the full story. They were in hosting mode, focused on showing us how strong they were.

But if this land’s superstitions were born from greater spirit activity in the past, it stood to reason things were changing.

We had to find out how it was changing, and if there was anything we could do to help.

The wagon trip ended a few hours later, at the base of a castle or perhaps it was a fort: I wasn’t sure what to call it. It was an extensive building made from white stone, three stories tall, lying sprawled across the countryside like a watchful dog. A tall wall made of wood and stone surrounded the fort, and once we were inside the walls, I saw there was room for stables, courtyards, and a smithy.

As we stepped down from the wagons, I inhaled the sweet crisp air again and smiled. The rolling green fields called me to wander across them.

We were shown into the fort and taken into a massive dining hall. A long wooden table sat horizontally at the back of the room with four more long wooden tables in front of it. Tapestries hung from the stone walls and candlelight filled the room with soft, golden light.

Men and women were already seated at the tables, filling the room with a noisy din as they talked and laughed.

The Chief cheered and introduced us before leading us to the empty table at the back of the room. It was on a raised dais, so even when we took our seats, we were able to look at everyone else in the room.

Cuan sat across from me and Stefan and, as he leaned forward to take his seat, his scent wafted toward me.

I inhaled quickly, trying to breathe it in. He smelled tantalizing, like oakmoss and whiskey, and it was all I could do not to yank him closer so I could bury my face in his neck.

He was acting oddly. I didn’t get the impression he loved the idea of an arranged marriage despite his comments about my beauty.

Chief A’Cuiric took his seat at the head of the table and gave another speech about uniting their noble clans with the ancient line of the Ember Islands. I scanned the crowd. Most of those present seemed pleased by the idea.

Cuan raised a heavy wooden goblet. “To uniting our houses and, of course, to the beauty of my lady omega, Callenova!”

A brown-haired man shot Cuan a look. He’d ridden in a different wagon than us and had stayed in the background during the introductions. He looked the same age as us and was just as tall and intimidating as Cuan.

It didn’t matter. Whatever was wrong with Cuan, as boorish as he wanted to be, I wasn’t bonding with anyone. It wouldn’t be hard to find offense with something he said and take our leave.

Kalahar wanted to investigate their libraries, and I wanted to see the Shrine, so we could stay a while longer. I didn’t even know what the Shrine here was called, an oversight I wanted to correct quickly.

Even though I wasn’t planning to bond with Cuan, I was still curious to know what he was hiding.

I wasn’t ready to leave the rolling green fields of Fairuin so soon. I wanted to walk along the moors and see the silver lakes before we continued our journey.

As I continued to watch those gathered, to see if there were any other interesting exchanges of looks, I saw an old woman making her careful way through the hall. Three men of a similar age surrounded her.

As they approached the table, Chief A’Cuiric sat up quickly. “My lady. We did not expect you tonight. You have had to travel far.”

“Pssh, I’m old, not dead, Uatear.” She climbed up each step unaided, her knees shaking. The men surrounding her asked if she wanted help, and she waved them off.

She paused halfway, red blotches on her face, then looked at me and grinned, despite being out of breath. “Not as spry as I used to be.”

Cuan stood up and offered her his arm. “Surely you won’t deny me a chance to look chivalrous in front of my intended?”

The woman smirked. “Not just a pretty face, are you Cuan? Well, thank the lights for that.”

Several of the men sitting closer to the Chief stood up and rearranged themselves until there was room for her and her men. Cuan helped the woman to her chair.

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