Page 76 of Return of the Darkness
“Except Osiris?” Larelle asked. Zarya nodded, playing with the bracelet on her wrist.
“I was sitting on the sand collecting new shells for my bracelet when he came and sat beside me. He said he was coming to rescue us, but he needed time to secure the boats.” Larelle frowned at Alvan. They did not have time.
“Did he say how much time, Zarya?”
“The next full moon.” She beamed. Larelle remembered the large red moon last night. A month. They had to wait one month. “Do you think he’ll like me in person?”
“Of course he will! Who wouldn’t like you? Did he say anything else?”
“Mhmm, not really! Just that he was going to bring his friends and save us.”
“Do you believe him?” Larelle asked. Zarya tilted her head, and her eyes glowed again when she nodded.
“Yes!” she exclaimed. “He’s going to bring four hundred ships! I can’t even count that high!” Larelle held her still again as she resumed her jumping.
“Did Osiris tell you that, Zarya? Or did you see it?”
“I saw it! Four hundred ships approaching Nerida.” Zarya tapped a finger to the side of her head. Sighing, Larelle bowed her head. If she saw it, then it was likely true. In one month, Osiris, the Prince of Xyliar, would arrive on their shores to save their kingdom, so they could work to find and defeat Caligh together, wherever he was hiding.
“You’ve done so well, sweetheart,” Larelle said, pulling her into a hug. She rested her chin on her daughter’s head, squeezing her tight as she stroked a hand over her curls. Larelle frowned and wound her finger around a curl. A white curl, no wider than achild’s thumbnail. The queen frowned, would there be consequences to her daughter’s abilities?
“He also said he hopes your heart is happy,” Zarya whispered. Larelle let go of her and frowned at her daughter’s smile. Her heart? Zarya tapped a small finger on her mother’s chest, exactly where the raised scar of a celestial tie had been.
“What is it?” Alvan asked, sensing the shift in Larelle’s mood.
“Someone just wants focaccia for lunch.” Larelle smiled.
“I can take her to see Lillian and have that arranged.” Alvan offered Zarya his hand, but she ignored it and sprinted past him.
“You have to catch me first!” she laughed.
Alvan chuckled. “I guess this is my daily exercise. He planted a kiss on Larelle’s cheek and left the room. She drifted her hand over her heart.How does Osiris know?Flustered, Larelle ignored Vivian’s book and resumed her previous task, attempting to display the maps on the wall for a better view.
They had not yet read through any of the other books from the church; she had been too focused on planning evacuations and updating the lords and representatives upon her return. She had been determined to start today but now needed to urgently write to the other rulers, ensuring they were in Nerida in one month’s time to greet Osiris. Perhaps it would be best if they started moving all the people to the coast of the realms now; a month may be cutting it fine. There might be no land left. She would allow the rulers to stay here in Mera, so they were together when Osiris arrived.
“Ouch,” Larelle mumbled as she pricked her thumb with the final nail, trying to position it on the wall. It was a far more arduous task than she expected, seeing as the maps were longer and wider than her body. Mostly, the lands were central, surrounded by the ocean.
“That’s much easier to see,” Alvan said, re-entering. Larelle stepped back, examining the six maps on the wall. She had left the two of Novisia on the table, already understanding them tobe the Isle of Gods and Novisia as she knew it. “Are you looking for anything in particular?” he asked, wrapping an arm around her waist. Larelle gulped, afraid to look him in the eye in case she gave away what she was hiding.
“No. I have no idea what to look for. Maybe having the other queens here as fresh sets of eyes will help.” Larelle sighed. It felt odd knowing they were now all queens, with Novisia’s only king dead.
“Is everything okay? After last night?” Alvan asked. Larelle avoided looking at him, but her feelings were clear. Alvan tilted her chin up to look at him. “If I’ve done something wrong…”
“No, no, you haven’t,” Larelle insisted, placing her hands on his chest. Alvan’s frown deepened.
“Then, what is it?” he asked, scanning her eyes. Larelle met his gaze. She could not build a sanctuary with him upon lies. With trembling hands, she pushed aside the fabric of her dress to reveal the scar over her heart. Alvan traced it with his thumb. “When did you get it?” No fear or worry laced his voice; his eyes were merely curious.
“I woke up with it, and–”
“And what?”
“Osiris knew about it when he spoke with Zarya.” Alvan tensed for a moment before nodding slowly in understanding.
“You could be tied to Osiris,” Alvan murmured, inspecting the mark. “It simply means you share a destiny. It makes sense, doesn’t it? Given he is to arrive on the shores of your realm?” Alvan asked with a reassuring smile. Larelle nodded, trying to convince herself the same, but something nagged at her within—something wrong. Alvan’s embrace enveloped her with comfort as she tried to forget about it. “Remember not to keep it all to yourself,” he murmured, stroking her back. Outside, the waves crashed against the wall as she took a moment to breathe.
“Two of the maps line up,” Alvan said, moving away from Larelle to run a finger along the edges. Larelle read the names onthe maps.Xyliar and Carvyre.Alvan was right. Where the map edges met, the curves showing the waves in the water matched. The lands were beside one another.
“Perhaps some others match up too?” Alvan suggested. They were quick to pull the pins from the other four maps, turning them in different directions and repositioning them on the wall. Finally, Thassena sat in the top left corner and matched with another map on its right, separated by the ocean. Alvan turned another and slotted it beneath Thassena, above Xyliar. The final map sat above Carvyre. Alvan reached for Larelle’s hand as they stepped back to assess the maps filling the entire wall. Six pieces of land, yet only two connected: the two places above Carvyre. The rest were surrounded by the ocean.
