Page 1 of War Of Fire and Fortune
Prologue
Willow
Before the war…
It was the day before the coronation. I hadn't been present for a crowning in a few centuries, so I figured it would be a sight worth seeing.
Every ruler of Osparia kept the throne for a century before they handed down their legacy to their heir. If they didn't have one, it went to the closest blood relative.
Ember’s current emperor, Devdin Corvus, had two sons, Valos, the eldest, and Taegan. Although Devdin had been a great leader during his reign, ever since he’d announced this morning that he was giving the crown to his youngest son, the magic that buzzed under my skin wouldn't leave me alone.
It begged to be released, to show me a vision of what would come of his decision.
I didn't want it. I could tell by the feel of it, it wasn't anything good, and no one would listen to a crazy old hoot of a woman like me when it came to royalty.
The only ones who took my and my twin sister’s foretellings seriously were those of our village on the outskirts of the Imperial District.
When I’d been a mere child, I hadn’t understood what the visions were, but over time our parents had realized that the things we said would come to be. Sometimes, I would see something years before it happened, and other times only minutes before. Marlena's visions were never as in-depth or as precise as mine, but we shared similar abilities. Our parents had assumed it was because we were twins. As I’d gotten older, I’d learned from the Kappa that only one of us had been meant to hold the power of a soothsayer. The gods normally only blessed one within our world at a time, similarly to other ancient creatures we told stories about around the fire. If something happened to us, to our soul—our abilities would be reborn into someone else.
I believed that the gods had almost finished bestowing our gifts when our soul split in our mother’s womb, which was why my sight was stronger.
“What is it?” Marlena asked, pulling me from my stirring thoughts.
“Nothing,” I dismissed, and she glared daggers at me.
“Oh please, Willow. You're my sister. I know that look. What did you see? Or are you focusing so hard because you're tryingnotto see something?”
“The latter.” I huffed.
“Ugh.” She rolled her eyes at me. “I don't understand why you fight it so hard, dear sister. It’s a gift, so use it. I know I do.” She gave me a wink. “Oh, do you remember that gown I thought was absolutely perfect for the coronation tomorrow, the emerald one with the gold threads and flowy chiffon?” She smiled smugly as her eyes gleamed, as if she could already see herself twirling in it like a child.
“Yes, what about it?”
“It will most definitely be the dress I wear tomorrow,” she assured me.
“And how do you plan to do that exactly?” I asked.
“Well, we don't have that kind of coin, but I'm suresomethingwill happen.” She glanced ahead to the trail of markets on the cobblestone. “Watch,” she whispered to me before she sauntered a short way down the path. Marlena grabbed two of Ember’s Fire Fae soldiers from their posts.
“Hello, boys. Could you come with me please? There's been a robbery.” Her voice was calm, and the soldiers looked confused, but they followed her, nonetheless.
Shouts rose from one building down, and three rugged-looking fae boys scrambled out of the building. Each had a makeshift bindle thrown over their backs.
Thieves.
Before they made it three steps, the Fire Fae Marlene had led over snatched them up. They cuffed them for their crimes, returned the merchant’s merchandise, and then thanked mysister for her insight.Doubtful they knew just how far our insight ran.
The merchant shook her hand and gave her four silver coins.
“Thank you so much, milady. With what they were trying to steal, I would’ve been out so much more than this, so please take it as a token of my gratitude.”
“My pleasure, dear. Have a good day,” Marlena crooned before taking the coins and walking back over to me with a twisted grin painted on her features. “Bet you didn't see that one coming, did you, sister?” Satisfaction dripped from her tone.
“Had no idea,” I lied. I didn't tell her I’d seen the vision of what had just played out in front of me weeks ago. I had forgotten about it because of the clawing feeling of my magic doing everything it could to break down the barrier I’d held in my mind after the emperor’s announcement this morning.
I really didn't want to know what it begged to show me. At least, not yet. I just wanted to enjoy my day first, as I knew it would change everything.
After years of living with it, I could tell when a premonition was going to be positive or negative. It was like the vision came with an aura.
