Page 203 of The Ascended
"Your crown is growing," Xül said, his voice casual as his gaze flicked to the motes of starlight that now hovered above my head—three more than when I'd first summoned them.
"Ten points now," I replied, unable to keep the pride from my voice.
His lips curved into that not-quite-smile. "You’ve certainly improved."
"Such high praise," I said dryly. "Should I faint from the honor?"
"Save your theatrics," he drawled, but there was no real bite to his tone. When his arm brushed against mine as we navigated a narrow part of the path, neither of us pulled away.
"Your hair's grown longer," he observed, his voice dropping to that low timbre that sent shivers down my spine.
"An unfortunate side effect of not dying yet," I replied, forcing lightness into my tone.
His laugh was soft and genuine. "Ever the optimist, Morvaren."
The Bone Spire rose before us in all its terrible majesty. A figure waited at the gates—one of the Shadowkin servants, his form rippling in the crimson daylight.
Xül's posture changed, all ease vanishing as he straightened to his full, imposing height. “Yes?” he called as we approached.
The servant bowed low. "My lord. A message has arrived." He extended a sealed letter.
Xül took it, examining the wax seal.
"What is it?" I asked, moving closer to see.
"We received this one in time, at least," he murmured, more to himself than to me.
I leaned against the obsidian gate, studying the symbols on the letterhead. Two emblems intertwined—one a spiral, the other a complex knot.
"Whose symbols are those?" I asked, though I sensed the answer would be unpleasant.
"Fate and Chaos," Xül replied, his eyes still on the seal. "Vorinar and Aella will host the next trial."
I straightened, unease crawling up my spine. "That doesn't sound like a promising combination."
"No, it doesn’t." A troubled expression flitted across his features before he masked it. He broke the seal and scanned the contents quickly, his brow furrowing.
"Is it bad?" I asked, not entirely sure I wanted the answer.
“Not necessarily,” he said, turning back to the servant. "You may go. Prepare for Miss Morvaren and myself to be absent this evening."
The servant nodded and disappeared into the shadows.
Xül folded the letter and tucked it inside his jacket. "Come. We need to get you cleaned up and ready."
"Ready for what exactly?"
He began walking toward the Bone Spire's entrance, his pacebrisk. "We're going to the only place where a master of fate resides outside of Voldaris."
I hurried to catch up with him. "I’m confused."
He paused, turning to meet my gaze. "This man lives in Elaren, Starling."
"What?”
"Yes." He resumed walking. "Go clean up. We leave in an hour."
I wanted to press for more information, but the set of his shoulders told me I'd get nothing further—not yet. So, I headed to my chambers, my mind whirling with possibilities. The mortal realm. After everything that had happened since the Trials began, I was going back to where it all started.
