Page 117 of Within the Veil

Oberon's dark eyes lock onto Li'Ella's, and for a moment, a flicker of an emotion--perhaps acknowledgment or a distant memory--crosses his face."I must say, Siomha, we truly meet under odd circumstances."

Her laugh tinkles, "Yes, well. What is life if it doesn't come with a good mix of strangeness, and how does your lovely mate put it?" Her gaze flicks towards me, and Not-Li'Ella, or I guess Siomha, smiles. "Ah, yes. What-the-fuck, moments."

I choke on a laugh.

"But as much as I would like to stay, my time here is brief, and between us, well, several of us," she looks around and shrugs, daintily, "I'm not supposed to be here. But it's my century of rebellion, as I am calling it. I can't die twice. YODO, I believe the humans call it."

"I think it's Y.O.L.O," I laugh. Because why not laugh with a possessed Li'Ella? It's not like my life is getting any easier. Or on a path where things will ever make more sense. At this point, anything can happen, and, strangely enough, I'm okay with that. Well, no. But it's hard to fight against the fuckery of fate with a perpetually full bladder.

"Yes, but technically, as I am still floating around waiting to be reincarnated into an eggplant, I can't die again," she says.

"Oh. I think the human emojis are clever. I want to be a euphemism," she adds, answering my unspoken question.

I burst out laughing, holding my lower belly. I have to pee, but damn, I can't miss this.

"Anyways, before the handsome green-eyed one pops a blood vessel," She says, and our eyes flick to Zane, who, judging by the bulging vein at his temple, does look in the least bit entertained. More things he cannot control. Poor guy.

She turns to face Oberon directly, "King of Shadows, I am filled with pride for the warrior you've become, the soldiers you've trained, and the match you've found. But time wanes; the moments for strategizing have ended."

Oberon frowns, "In what way, Siomha?"

Siomha? I plug the name into my brain Google, and my eyes widen.

"Siomha? The old crone you killed when you stole the prophecy?"

Oberon winces, "well..."

"It's a long story, here..." She waves Li'Ella's little hand, and a memory plays out in my head. Oh. OH.

"Okay, then. Um. Carry on," I murmur, resisting the urge to shove Li'Ella's floating form into my belly to keep her safe. It would be like a playdate. With a snorkel.

I ignore everyone's stares and wave Siomha on.

She chuckles, "I am speaking of the short-term. Not the long term. You all have plans in place that require your attention immediately. In order to ensure that your vow is upheld, Hudson must make her connection with her sister."

Oberon lets out an animalistic growl, "Is Li'Ella in danger?"

"Li'Ella?" Grayson, asks ferally. The hairs on my arms rise as the air crackles with tension.

Li'Ella's, well, Siomha's swirling silver eyes meet Grayson's. "Ah, my dear Grayson, how I would've relished meeting--as more than a celestial spirit, anyway-- the man who's been a tender father to my Li'Lamb. Hold that love within your heart; it will ignite your path. At the very least, it will prepare you for what comes next. When you fight for something more than yourself, you fight for all."

Her gaze shifts back to Oberon. "Li'Ella will always be in danger; it is the fate of a Seer. Her destiny, however, is protected as long as your vow holds true. Fate enjoys her games, but your cunning outmatches even her fickle heart. Protect my lineage, King of Shadows. The events that unfold from this juncture shall mark either our end or a begin a new one."

His posture stiffens as he nods solemnly.

"Well, my job here is done," she claps. "Prepare for your journies; prepare to fight for everything you hold dear. Make it good and make it bloody. I need the entertainment."

"Oh, before I forget. Serath'ae," she points to the dagger on Oberon's hip that is attached to him like a second skin.

"Serath'ae?" Elodia interrupts, eyes wide as they flick between the obsidian blade and Dùn Leabhar.

"Yes," she waves her hands impatiently, "forbidden weapon. Only, since I bound it to Oberon by blood, sacred vow, and death, it wouldn't be a weapon one can sense. Unless you're Gaia, of course."

"If there ever comes a time where reality must meet the celestial, Serath'ae will guide your hand," she flicks her gaze quickly towards Ryder, so quickly that I wonder if it was in my head, but says the last directly to Oberon, holding his gaze for several moments, until it gets a bit uncomfortable.

"Okay then, I'll take the little one back to her bed for a nap. If everything goes according to plan, I will see you all soon. No," she grins as the tension in the room shoots up. "Not in death...maybe." She laughs brightly before disappearing from the room.

Around the room, everyone remains still, their faces stuck between awe and confusion. She certainly knows how to make an impact, I think to myself as I try to shake off the cold shiver that trickles down my spine.

---