Page 91 of Within the Veil

The text is quite clear, the decision is up to us and can lead to our downfall, or to a stronger bond. But again there that little annoying word that the Fae are obsessed with--Balance.While its referring to the difficulties he will face I have to wonder, romantically speaking, if he feels more beholden to me, would that upset the Sentinel balance? Is there even such a thing as a Sentinel balance?

"Lirael," I call softly.

She pops in her face, curious, "Yes, Hudson?"

"There is nothing that I absorbed, or that I can find through a brain search, for lack of a better term, that indicates anything about a 'Sentinel balance.'"

"How do you mean?" She asks.

"Well, since King and I are exploring... the romantic...side of things," I say slowly...

"Ah, you would like to know if it means you will require another Sentinel?" She says matter a factly.

I blink, "well. Um, yeah."

She laughs, and the sound tinkles throughout the library, "I apologize. When you request any book, it serves as a small link so I can pinpoint the exact text you will need," she sits on the edge of the table, kicking her feet, instead of floating in the air. She is downright adorable.

"All I keep thinking is that while the balance right now is six and three, when the babies are born, even with their own personal Dragons," I pause and giggle at the thought of giant ass dragons with car seats strapped to their backs.

I lean back in my chair, "won't we need more Sentinels? I ask because I also have to consider the fact that Jensi, Luca, and King have also been given something of a 'Royal Guard' kind of role. So, will the fates provide more Sentinels, is our power amplification enough, or is it something, rather 'someones', which I can choose? Or do I switch gears and look for an actual Royal Guard so that they can focus on their duties? Because if that is the case, I admit while Oberon's techniques are brutal and savage, his whisperers are loyal and would be the best place to start."

Folding her hands on her knees, she soaks in my words as they tumble from my mouth faster than I can track. "Hmm, I see your concern. Well, let's take this in pieces. One, if I were to ask you if you are making the choice to pursue this relationship lightly, even with the blessing of your fated mates, what would you say?" She asks with a gentle smile.

"I would say no," I say without a second thought. "I always felt a connection to him, that much I know. When it moved beyond that, I'm not exactly sure, or rather, I'm not sure when my mind decided not to ignore it anymore. I respect my mates, and without their go-ahead, I would never pursue anything. Although, I am grateful that they do."

"Then I would say, as the text indicates, your choices, the way you shape your destiny, will be what strengthens your bond. Considering the depth of your power, that is quite a feat. I think that..." She pauses and waves her hands in the air, and I stare, slack-jawed, as she pulls a golden loom out of thin air and starts weaving. As she tugs, pulls, and creates, she continues to talk in her soft, lilting tone, and I lean closer, my head almost on her tiny lap, her voice weaving me just as tightly as the tapestry she is creating.

"People forget that Fate and Destiny are like two sides of a coin, intricately connected yet distinct in their own nature. Fate is simply a choice made by servants of the Gods'--A cosmic tapestry woven by the hands of the celestial weavers. Fate whispers to us, calling us to its predetermined course."

Her hands continue to move through the loom, back and forth, lyrical, her hands almost disappearing as she moves swiftly through the air. "Therefore, your own choices, whether good or bad, are also a form of Fate. It is your Destiny, the ember of free will, that resides within your very soul. That power, that sacred flame bestowed on us, fuels you. It allows you to shape, build and move within the very threads of your fate. The Fate of Choice is powerful in its' own right. The choice to love even more so, because it requires the strength to weather all storms, and in turn the wisdom to nurture that love amidst the tempest."

"You say, Fate of Choice, do you mean the choice to choose your own Fate?" I ask curiously, though in a gentle whisper, not wanting to break the spell.I'm going to need her for bedtime stories with the kids.

"No. It is a delicate harmony but still unique in its own melody. You are provided your fate, your choices shape your destiny. As Fae, we honor the celestial tapestry of Fate, for it is the closest; even as beings of pure magic cradled in the bosom of Gaia herself, we come to the secrets of the cosmos. You, Hudson, have embraced all the challenges of your fate, but your choices are what have manifested the strength of your potential. You could have chosen a darker path, for your power is great. However, youchosethe light. The prophecy has been whispered for three-hundred years 'one who will unite the Fae, both the Dark, who can be saved, and the Light, who may still need saving themselves.' There are some who can argue that death is a form of salvation. You chose death to give life. Therefore, the Fate of Choice."

She stops weaving and hands me a golden tapestry of a Queen on a Throne. But not just any Queen. It's me.

"It's beautiful, thank you," I breathe through the overwhelming emotion and the pressing feel of warmth flowing through me as I lift my gaze to hers.

"Just how oldareyou?" I ask, slightly joking and mostly not. Because, at this point, I feel like I'm sitting around a campfire speaking to Tom Bombadil, roasting marshmallows on the damn flames of my own making. It is disconcerting and comforting but mostly terrifying. So much on my damn shoulders, most of it because I decided not to be a cunt who used magic to steal what didn't belong to me. I have to admit, being bad seems so much easier.

She laughs again and gives a light shrug, "You stop counting after a while, but somewhere beyond a couple of millennia."

My eyebrows shoot up at how casually she mentions she's essentially a walking, talking fossil. Cool, cool. "I'm surrounded by a bunch of old people, and yet I'm the one chosen to pollinate the Fae world with glittered joy and balance," I grumble.

She laughs, "You may be young, but you were made for this. Remember, fate may set the stage, but destiny grants you the power to dance upon it. Embrace both, embrace who you are, and revel in it because in that dance lies the very essence of your magic and the journey you have been set on."

I blink, "I've had about enough of magical Iced-Coffee, thank you very much."

She giggles, "Do you have any other questions?"

I pause and consider that "not really. The Familiar text pretty much told me everything Xena had shared with me. Our relationship is more so of kinship and protection, and I can't hide anything from her since she bonded to my soul. Well, I did realize that it mentioned that their shifted form embodies what is needed to protect and aid their partner, AKA me. But that's it. Makes me wonder if that sneaky lion-dragon ninja warrior can shift to a bunch of other shit. But rest assured, I'm going to find out."

She smiles mischievously, "All in due time."

I roll my eyes as she floats off to practice more ancient, elder talk to mind fuck me again later.

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