No, Im sure you didnt. Just as Im sure you didnt think keeping that little Golden Princess locked in our shed would nearly lead to his death as well.

Of course I didnt know that. He cast his eyes downward at the dirt floor. You . . . you say Father wasnt taken?

No. But from the moment he learned of the chiefs death, he became very ill"ill with grief unlike anything he felt when either Mama and Tomas died. Its like his will to live began to slip away. I lost him two months ago. I run the vineyard now. Long days, Jonas, with very little help.

His father had died, and Jonas had had no idea. He sat down heavily in a chair. Im so sorry I havent been here for you. I dont know what to say.

Theres nothing you can say.

When this is over, when this kingdom is back to how it should be, I will return here. I will help you run the vineyard.

I dont want your help, she spat out, anger that shed been holding back until now spilling out like an overturned cask. I can do it fine on my own. Now, I feel thats more than enough catching up. Lets deal with your current problem so you can be on your way as soon as possible. Im no healer, but Ive helped plenty of pregnant girls before.

Whatever you can do to help is much appreciated. I just hoped you might know how to stop the pain.

Some pregnancies are more difficult than others. Who is she? She looked at him sharply when he didnt answer. Tell me, Jonas, or Ill send you back into the night.

His sister was different now, harder, angrier. Every word from her mouth made him cringe.

He felt foolish to think that he could return here and nothing would have changed after being gone for so long. Hed meant to send a message, to check in, but it hadnt happened. And time had gone by.

Shes Lucia Damora, he answered honestly, since he owed Felicia that much.

Felicias eyes widened with shock. What are you thinking bringing that evil witch in here? She is not welcome in my home. Are you aware of what shes responsible for? A village not ten miles from here was burned to the ground, everyone in it killed, because of her. She deserves to die for what shes done.

Each word felt like a blow, and he couldnt argue with any of them. Perhaps she does, but right now her magic is needed to save Mytica. To save the world. You wouldnt let an innocent child suffer because of the choices of its mother, would you?

She laughed then, drily. Listen to you, defending a royal princess"from Limeros, no less. Who are you, Jonas? Who has my brother become?

Amara cant be allowed to control Mytica, he reasoned. Im willing to do whatever it takes to stop her.

You are blind as well as dumb, brother. The empress is the only one who can save us all. Or have you forgotten the past so easily now that your head has been turned by that piece of evil dung currently sleeping on my bed?

My head has not been turned by anyone, he growled. But I know whats right.

Then you need to wake up. The empress is the best thing thats happened to Paelsia in generations.

Youre wrong.

Im not wrong, she said, her fiery anger finally dissipating as weariness set into her voice. But I cant be bothered to convince you of something I know is right. Youre lost to us, Jonas. I can see it in your eyes. Youre not the same boy who grew up wishing to be like Tomas, who went with him to poach on the border of Auranos, who chased after all the girls in the village. I dont know who you are anymore.

His heart ached at the thought of how much hed disappointed her. Dont say that, Felicia.

She turned away from him. Ill let you and that creature stay for the night. That is all. If she dies of this pain she has, then let her die. The world will be better off without her in it.

Jonas reclined on the dirt floor, next to the fire, his mind in turmoil.

When hed come here, hed at least had a sense of direction, of purpose. He needed to get Lucia to her family.

The Damoras. The King of Blood who had oppressed his people. Whod murdered Chief Basilius. Whod lied to two armies about his reasons for starting a short-lived war with Auranos.

Felicia was right. Amara Cortas had ended all of that with this occupation.

How had he found himself on this path? He was a rebel, not the simpering assistant to a sadistic king.

It took a long time before he fell asleep. In a dream, he found himself in a lush green meadow under a bright blue sky. In the distance, a city that looked to be made from crystal sparkled in the sun.

Jonas Agallon, we finally meet. Olivia has told me so much about you. I am Timotheus.

He turned to be greeted by the sight of a man who appeared to be only a handful of years older than him. His hair was the color of dark bronze, his eyes a pale copper. He wore white robes that fell all the way to the emerald-green grass.

Youre in my dream, Jonas said slowly.

Timotheus raised a brow. A brilliant deduction. Yes, I am.

Why?

I expected youd be full of questions for me.

Of all the sensations he felt at being face to face with the immortal Olivia had told him little about, he felt no shock, no surprise, only weariness. Questions that youll answer?

Some, perhaps. Others, perhaps not.

No, its all right. Just let me sleep. Im tired, and I cant be bothered with solving riddles.

Time is running out. The storm is nearly upon us.

Do you talk like this to everyone, so annoyingly vague?

Timotheus cocked his head. Actually, yes. Yes, I do.

I dont like it. And I dont like you. Whatever this is, Jonas patted the mark on his chest, I want it gone. I want nothing to do with your kind. Im Paelsian. Im not a Watcher, or a witch, or whatever you think this makes me.

That mark makes you very special.

I dont want to be special.

You dont have a choice.

I always have a choice.

Your destiny is set.

Kiss my arse.

Timotheus blinked. Olivia did mention that youre rather single-minded in your observations. However, Im sure youve noticed that you now possess a sliver of magic. Phaedras magic. Olivias magic. You absorbed these like a sponge absorbs water. What you are is rare and, Ill say it again, special. The visions Ive had of you are important.

Right. The visions. The prophecy of me delivering Lucia Damora to her family.

Is that what you think?

Seems like thats where this destiny of mine is taking me.

No, not exactly. You will know when it happens. You will feel"

What I feel right now is the need to put a knife in your gut. Jonas glared at the immortal. You dare enter my dream now, after all this time? Olivias helped to keep me alive, just like you told her to. I guess shes done with me now. Or maybe shes spying on me from above as a hawk, just like you all do. All I know for sure is that Im through with this. I dont care what you have to say. You dangle half truths as if the lives of mortals are a game.

Timotheuss voice lowered. This is not a game, young man.

Oh, no? Then prove it. Tell me my destiny, if you think its something I cant avoid.

Timotheus studied him. I didnt foresee Lucias pregnancy, he admitted. That was a surprise to me, as Im sure it was to her. Its been shielded from all of us by the Creators, and there must be a reason for this"an important reason. My original vision of you was that you were to assist Lucia during the storm"

What storm are you talking about?

Timotheus raised his hand. Dont interrupt me. Im being as blunt with you as Ive ever been with anyone, because I see now there is no time to be anything else.

So spit it out, Jonas said. He felt frustrated with everything in his life, and he wanted to take it all out on this pompous immortal.

Lucias son will have great importance. Many will wish to kidnap this child or to kill him. You will protect the child from harm and raise him as your own son.

Is that right? And Lucia and I will, what? Get married and live happily ever after? Unlikely.

No. Lucia is destined to die in childbirth during the coming storm. He nodded firmly, a frown creasing his brow. I see it now, clearly. I originally thought that her magic might transfer to you at the time of her death, making you a sorcerer, one who could walk between worlds, one whose destiny was to imprison the Kindred after they are all freed. But Lucias magic will live on through her son.

Jonas gaped at him, stunned by his proclamation. Shes going to die?

Yes. Timotheus turned his back on him. That is all I can tell you. Good luck to you, Jonas Agallon. The fate of all the worlds is in your hands now.

No, wait! I have questions. You need to tell me what I need to do"

But Timotheus disappeared then, as did the meadow and the city in the distance.

Jonas woke to find his sister shaking him.

Its dawn, she said. Your girlfriend is awake. Time for both of you to get out of my home.

CHAPTER 23.

MAGNUS.

PAELSIA.

Magnus knew hed never beg for anything in his life: not for mercy, not for forgiveness, and not for a second chance. Yet all he wanted to do was go after Cleo to try to make her understand.

Bloody Nic. If the stupid boy had managed to finally get himself killed, this recent rift with Cleo meant that Magnus couldnt even celebrate such an occasion.

He took a step toward the stairs.

No, his grandmothers voice stopped him. Let her go. Pursuing her immediately will only make matters worse. Trust me.

Magnus turned to see Selia standing in the doorway, regarding him curiously.

I wasnt aware our discussion was being overheard, he said.

My dear, even the deaf could have overheard that"she cocked her head"discussion, did you call it?

Apologies, Selia, but I dont want to talk about this with you.

Id much rather you call me Grandmother, like you used to when you were a little boy.

Again, he turned toward the stairs, waiting to see if a miracle might happen and Cleo might return to him. Ill call you whatever I like.

You are surprisingly stern and serious for such a young man, even a Limerian, arent you? Then again, you were raised by Althea, so Im not terribly surprised. I dont remember ever seeing that woman smile.

Did my father happen to mention to you that he had her killed? And then he lied and told me that his mistress Sabina was my true mother?

No, she said simply, twisting the silver snake pendant at her throat. This is the first Im hearing of this.

And you think it odd that Im not laughing joyfully day in and day out when were at war with an entire empire that threatens to destroy us all?

Of course youre right. Forgive me"my thoughts have been elsewhere.

I envy your thoughts.

Selia pursed her lips. You should know that your father will not survive the night. He will be claimed entirely by death by morning. Do you care?

Magnus didnt say anything to this. No thought came to his mind, good or bad.

Hed imagined he would celebrate this moment, the impending death of a man hed hated for as long as he could remember.

He loves you, Selia said, as if reading his thoughts. Whether you believe it or not, I know its true. You and Lucia are the most important parts of his life.

He didnt have time for such nonsense. Really? I could have sworn it was his lust for power that was most important to him.

When on the very edge of death, matters such as fortune and legacy are meaningless in the face of knowing that someone who cares for you will hold your hand as you slip away.

Ill have to remember that when Im on the edge of death. Magnus glared at her. Apologies, but is there something you require from me? Because if youre asking me to go upstairs and hold my fathers hand while he dies, leaving me to fix this mess hes made, Ill have to strongly decline.

No. What I want from you is to accompany me to the tavern this evening to meet with my friend Dariah.