Page 129 of Of Vows and War: Special Edition
***
“From your line will be a savior, one who will not only rescue Alemthian from destruction, but Shamay as well. Her life will be the start of a series of events that will see balance restored to the universe. Both a gift and a promised doom.” The Oracle’s voice was ethereal as she spoke, her existence that of true gods. She was magnificent to Asta, who watched as what looked like threads of timelines moved both forwards and backwards in the fae’s mind. Never had a mind felt so hauntingly cluttered and foreboding, but Asta found she enjoyed being within it.
“So what must I do?” Asta asked, not seeing clearly what would be required of her. Stella remained at her daughter’s side, watching the scene with wide eyes and terror in her chest. She knew then she would soon lose her daughter. Felt it in the marrow of her bones.
“Your mother is the one who will do the majority of the work. She must remove your seed and save it for one of your descendents. A female with bravery and kindness in her heart. One who knows suffering and still wishes to dream.” The Oracle reached forward, grabbing Asta’s hand as her eyes went slightly out of focus. And when she was done, Asta began to sob, reaching her fingers down into the water and lighting it up with her silver magic. In the depths of the flowing river, images began to appear.
***
Stella paced within the blackened forest, cursing Padon. For thousands of years she had waited, and now she was somewhat confident in her choice for the seed. Zaib Ayad was a lovely princess, both brave and kind. She had not suffered much, but Stella knew there would be a great loss that would allow her to reveal herself, so maybe that was what the Oracle had truly meant all those years ago.
Padon was the only thing stopping her. The second she put the seed into the princess, Padon would likely feel the force. He was probably constantly in search of it. Wanting and waiting.
Or maybe he thought she would never give it to someone else. Maybe she would get lucky.
Sighing, she willed herself to the stunning palace upon the cliffs of Dunamis.
***
“Malcolm, look! The entire thing truly is made of gold!” Zaib said, pointing at the structure.
She had begun to feel different the last few decades since getting sick, something within her stirring. Rather than needing to speak aloud to order others, she had found herself slowlygrowing able to silently demand things. Often, she even heard the thoughts of others. When she first fell ill, they all thought she would die, but it seemed that she came out of the illness with newfound magic instead. Still, she was far too unsure to tell anyone about it. Anyone but her brother, that was.
She never kept secrets from Malcolm.
“Yes, it is gorgeous,” Malcolm said in awe, his arm lying lazily upon his sister’s shoulders. “I would love to live in a palace like that.”
“Too bad you were not born a fae prince instead of a demon one,” Zaib joked, nudging him with her shoulder. Malcolm did not laugh.
***
“Please, brother, please do not do this,” Zaib begged from behind the bars, her body aching from being healed after a brutal first beating. She stared at her brother in desperation, wishing she could will him to see reason. To love her like she thought he had. Likeshelovedhim.
“She is different than the rest of us. After she got sick, she started being able to do strange things. Zaib can literally control the minds of those around her. I have seen her do it, felt her talk to me in my head. She has shown me it all,” Malcolm told Queen Mia, basking in her attention. Just as he had basked in the feel of her cunt that morning and reveled in her promises of a place at her side when she conquered. He would rule, and he would have her. Finally, something Zaib could not steal from him.
“Excellent,” the queen beamed.
***
“You are new,” Zaib murmured as a male’s face appeared beyond the door.
He was handsome, his dark gray eyes that of a stormy sky. His skin was lighter than hers, his hair a softer shade of brown. He looked horrified to see her there through the small bars on the door, though she was not sure if it was because of the cuts on her body or her nearly lifeless aura. The king and queen had taken her to the final mortal kingdom today, where she continued stealing memories of a time when demons were not the villains of Alemthian.
“I am,” he agreed, voice grave. Zaib did not have the energy to say anything else, as the runes on the walls constantly pulled all of her magic from her. She would vomit and fall over, her tongue numb and her limbs aching. There was no use in speaking when it took all her focus. Especially when this was probably just another tactic to get her to submit.
The male continued to talk, but Zaib did not hear what he said.
She wished they would just kill her already.
***
The guard’s name was Dante. He was incredibly funny. Sarcastic and dry, but that was perfect for Zaib. He constantly kept her mind off the pain. Though she remained vigilant, still unsure if her new friendship was some sort of trick. He worked for the Mounbetton’s, after all.
“How do you like the bed?” he asked her one afternoon, watching as she laid down on it and smiled. He had gotten her new clothes and playing cards, snuck her delicious food, and just yesterday brought her an actual bed. What Queen Mia called the low level room had quickly grown in comfort.
“I love it,” she said in response, pulling the silver and blue blankets around her. His smile was broad, full lips enticing. Zaibfelt something in her heart, the organ thrumming to an uneasy beat.
“Can I come eat with you again?” Dante asked. Zaib nodded.
