Page 119 of A World of Ruins

‘Freya.’

‘No door can bar; no seal can bind.’ The words get louder, echoing through the air.

I struggle to break free, my eyes widening in a surge of panic. ‘Freya, wake up!’

‘Yet the rivers hold the answer, and the lover who once was—’

The doors burst open, abruptly breaking Freya’s hold on me, causing me to lose my balance and collide with the mirror.

Leira and Aelle walk into the room, their faces filled with joy when they catch sight of me. However, my attention immediately returns to Freya as she regains consciousness, her eyes blinking back to normality.

‘Freya?’ I pant, but she just smiles at me. I inch closer to her. ‘Are you—’

‘Oh, Nara, that dress is simply breathtaking,’ Leira interrupts, her hands pressed against her heart.

Freya gazes at her aunt, oblivious to my shocked expression. ‘Doesn’t she just?’

‘Darius is truly fortunate,’ Aelle says, her eyes welling up with tears.

I shake my head. ‘I—’

‘He would argue otherwise,’ Freya chuckles, the three of them not giving me a chance to speak again.

There’s a gentle tap on the door and Ruvyn steps inside. A hush falls over the room as all eyes turn towards him. With a gentle gesture, he adjusts the folds of his tunic. ‘Excuse me, Lady Nara, may we have a moment?’

My lips part, yet no words escape.

‘It’s of the utmost importance.’ He tilts his head downward.

‘Very well, very well.’ Leira gracefully waves her hand. ‘We were just leaving.’

I quickly seize Freya’s arm just as she is about to follow Aelle and Leira. Her gaze meets mine, suddenly concerned.

‘We need to talk afterwards,’ I say quietly, causing her to grow even more worried. ‘Don’t go too far.’

‘What’s wrong?’

So much is wrong.Somuch.

‘Freya,’ Aelle calls out to her, and Freya sighs, casting a longing glance in my direction, assuring me that we will see each other before the ceremony.

She had a vision. A vision that sounds terrifying.

As Freya exits the room, my heart pounds. I turn towards the vanity and press my palms against it. I close my eyes and let loose a shaky breath. ‘What is it then, Ruvyn?’

‘Sarilyn,’ he says. ‘She wishes to speak with you.’

I mutter a curse and swiftly turn around. ‘Now?’

He swallows and then nods.

She could not have chosen a worse time.

CHAPTERFIFTY-ONE

‘Oh, Naralía,’ Sarilyn says as soon as I appear behind the bars of her cell. She rises from her seated position on the ground. ‘That dress.’ She shakes her head and smiles as she stares at it up and down. ‘You truly make a luscious bride.’

I’m reluctant to give her any form of gratitude. ‘It belonged to Aurelia,’ I say it straight, and her brows jump. ‘Why did you want to speak with me?’ I add idly, seeing as my mind is still thinking about Freya.

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