Shades of Prophecy

by Tessonja Odette

  “Similar. The eldest child of the Morkara—regardless of gender—is typically named heir, but it’s ultimately up to the Morkara to choose. The heir must be named as such. Any other children of the Morkara become the heir’s heir until he or she can name one from their own children. This means, until I name an heir from my own blood, Darius remains my heir. All it would take is my death to strengthen his claim.”

  “Why must you name Liam your heir?” Mareleau asked, her voice trembling. “That will only make him a target for your brother, won’t it? Why couldn’t you have named your first child heir? Or any of the others of your blood that followed? Why couldn’t you have birthed and trained a great warrior and named him heir?”

  Ailan shook her head. “I only know to follow the whispers of my weaving and trust that they are true. For some reason, they need him.” Her gaze held Mareleau, then me. “Perhaps it’s because they need the two of you, and he is the link between you.”

  “What does that mean?” Mareleau asked, cheeks flushed as tears glazed her eyes. “What can a baby possibly do? What can Cora and I possibly do? I thought you were going to have the answers for us.”

  “I’m sorry I have disappointed you,” Ailan said. “But in putting all your faith in me, you have underestimated yourself. You wouldn’t have been drawn here if not for great importance. You may not understand it yet, but you do have a role to play in what is yet to unfold. I know you can feel it.”

  Mareleau opened her mouth as if she wanted to argue, but then snapped it shut. “What do we do now?”

  Ailan closed her eyes, inhaling deeply. “We follow the whispers of my weaving,” she said, her voice soft. She opened her eyes, the beautiful gray in them as fierce as a storm as they rested on Liam. “I name this child my heir.”

  16

  TAPESTRY

  Mareleau

  I expected lightning to pierce the tent, for the earth to quake beneath us, for Liam to cry at the declaration of his fate. But there was nothing. Nothing but silence as Ailan’s words echoed in my mind. Once it was clear no repercussions were upon us, I let out a shaking breath. “What happens now?”

  Ailan stood and began to pace. “My return to youth means my brother is experiencing the same. With my mother’s veil torn, there’s no telling how much good my weaving will do in keeping him away. He could remember everything now.”

  “You think he will invade, don’t you?” Cora asked.

  “Of course he will,” Ailan said. “You came to the same conclusion before you even found me. It’s only a matter of time.”

  My heart pounded in my chest. “Both King Teryn and my husband sent scouts to uncover information about Syrus.”

  Cora nodded. “If he makes a move, we’ll know about it.”

  Ailan paused her pacing and stared at us. “Is that so?” She fixed her attention on Cora. “If you were to worldwalk, who would know about it? Who would sense your arrival, if you chose to be discreet?”

  Cora flushed, her lips pressing into a line.

  “Exactly,” Ailan said. “And you are only just now discovering your worldwalking abilities. If my brother can remember even one solid detail about Lela, he could show up here. If he thinks about me the way you were able to think about Salinda…” She shuddered, eyes darting to the side as if she expected Darius to materialize beside her.

  Cora and Salinda exchanged a worried glance.

  “He wouldn’t come here without an army,” I argued. “And there’s no way an army could show up in Lela undetected.”

  Ailan raised an eyebrow. “That gives you comfort somehow? Don’t forget how much damage even an expected army can do.”

  I felt the blood leave my face as I considered her words.

  Ailan continued. “Even if he can’t remember a thing about Lela or El’Ara, his son told him what he’d learned about the prophecy. With my brother’s return to health, he will easily put the pieces together and come to the same conclusions Morkai had. But, with his ability to worldwalk, he will come to them much faster.”

  Cora nibbled her thumbnail. “There must be a way to prepare for him, to anticipate where he will most likely go first.”

  “We know he will seek the tear in the veil,” Ailan said. “Whatever he does in Lela will revolve around finding it.”

  “Do you think he will try to do what Morkai did?” Salinda asked. “Will he try to claim rule over Lela as Morkaius?”

  Ailan nodded. “I believe it is possible. If Darius thinks becoming Morkaius in Lela will give him the power to locate the tear, or even pull the veil down completely, he will do it.”

  Cora’s eyes widened for a moment, then she shook her head. “He wouldn’t be able to become Morkaius, even if he were able to conquer Lela and claim rule. He who harnesses the magic will be destroyed by it. Morkai spent ages trying to get that right, and never succeeded.”

  Salinda nodded. “Harnessing the magic itself was an act that killed him. It was Morkai’s Roizan who killed him at the Battle at Centerpointe Rock, was it not?”

  Cora’s eyes shone with a hopeful gleam. “It was. Darius will hear of his son’s folly. That will deter him.”

  “Just because it never worked for Morkai,” Ailan said, “doesn’t mean my brother won’t try it. Whatever the case, Darius will invade. Whether to claim rule as Morkaius, or to seek out the veil, he will come. And he will be ready.”

  The cold certainty in her voice chilled me. “What do we do?” I asked.

  Ailan sighed. “We continue to trust the whispers of my weaving. So far, it has brought us together. It is up to us now to work with the last threads of the tapestry. There may be war, blood, and death ahead of us—ahead of all of us.”

  Silence fell, and my mind went to Larylis. Where did he fit into all this? Would he have to face war yet again? Would he come out of it alive? My eyes glazed with tears as I recalled the night before, the look on his fallen face when I told him what I was planning to do. Why did I leave him? Why did I do this?

  I thought my guilt would eat me alive until a small, quiet voice came through the clamor. There’s something much bigger happening here. Bigger than me. Bigger than Larylis.

  I lowered my head, and Liam’s tiny face swam before my eyes. I have a purpose. I didn’t entirely know what it was, aside from keeping Liam safe, but I knew it was true. I was meant to do more.

  Cora’s voice broke the silence. “Do you have a plan?”

  Ailan bowed her head, eyes closed as she considered. “I must return to El’Ara,” she finally whispered. Her face snapped up, eyes locking on me. “We must return—you, Liam, and I. I need to keep my heir safe. Even with the tear, the safest place for us is behind the veil. Darius can’t worldwalk into El’Ara so long as it is in place.”

  “What about the tear itself?” Cora asked.

  “First, we must find it,” Ailan said. “That is the only way we will be able to enter. Then I will gather the Elvan, prepare them for what is to come.”

  “And what about the people of my world?” Cora asked. “What if he decides to conquer Lela?”

  “We will have to work together,” Ailan said. “We will make a plan to defend all angles Darius could have. When we go to El’Ara, you will go with us too.”

  Cora’s face paled. “I wasn’t well received or departed last time I was in El’Ara.”

  “I know, and I am sorry for how my people have treated you. But this time, things will be different. They will respect me as Morkara and accept you as ambassador between our peoples.”

  Cora hesitated for a moment. “You want me to be your ambassador?”

  “Who better to relay information between Lela and El’Ara than a woman who can walk between worlds?”

  Cora gave a reluctant nod. The disappointment on her face mirrored my own. Neither of us were anticipating another journey. We’d both promised to return safely to our husbands as soon as possible.

  I have a purpose.

  “When do we leave?” I found myself saying, surprise
d at the calm in my voice.

  “Tonight,” Ailan said. “After nightfall. In the meantime, get some rest while you can.”

  “What about the elders?” Salinda asked. “When will you speak to them?”

  “I will speak to them now. I will tell them the truth of what has passed and what is yet to come.”

  Salinda met her eyes. “I will stand at your side while you speak.”

  Ailan’s lips melted into a smile. “Thank you, dear one.” She turned to me and Cora. “The two of you should rest while Salinda and I speak with the elders.”

  Cora and I nodded, then rose to our feet.

  “I should check on Valorre,” Cora said. “He can’t be too happy with that dragon near.”

  “And I should speak with Maiya before I gather the elders,” Salinda said. “You’ll see her before you go, won’t you?”

  Cora nodded with a wide smile. “Of course. I couldn’t possibly visit without seeing her.”

  I cocked my head, wondering who Maiya was, and watched as Cora left the tent. Salinda left the tent as well, and I followed close on her heels. “Salinda.”

  The older woman whirled around, a surprised look on her face. “Yes, Mareleau. Or am I to call you Your…Highness? Majesty? As you can see, we are far removed from the royal ways you are likely used to.”

  In any other situation, I would have been seething. But there was something so strong about this woman that made me feel humble, as if my title meant nothing coming from her lips. “Mareleau is fine,” I said, grimacing at the falseness in my voice. Being casually cordial was not something I was used to.

  She put a hand to her forehead. “You need a place to rest, don’t you? I’m so sorry. I should have been more considerate—”

  “No, it’s not that. I mean, I do, but I was hoping I could speak with you.”

  Salinda cocked her head to the side, brows furrowed. Then she nodded. “Ah, yes. You sought something personal when you came here, didn’t you?”

  “Yes. It’s about my…about the Arts. Cora said I might find help here in training them. I’ve only just discovered them and I…” I searched for words, finding myself more flustered than I’d intended to be. “I need to learn how to consciously use them. I need to learn how to protect myself and my son.”

  Salinda gave me a warm smile. “Of course, child. I’ll do whatever I can. You can rest in my tent. After the meeting, I’ll come speak with you.”

  “I appreciate that. Thank you.”

  Salinda walked me to her tent, where we’d first spoken with her. Had it only been mere hours before? When she left, I sank onto her cot, only mildly aware of my discomfort over the lack of luxuries. I felt as if I’d already been awake for a full day, muscles tense and mind reeling. I pulled Liam close to me, letting my thoughts clear, and forgetting—just for a time—about all that lay ahead.

  * * *

  Cora

  I found Valorre and Hara just outside of camp at the opposite end from Ferrah’s nest. Hara didn’t act like anything was amiss, but Valorre was clearly flustered. I wrapped my arms around his neck and stroked his silky coat.

  “I’m so sorry, Valorre. I shouldn’t have asked you to wait so close.”

  I remember her.

  “The dragon?”

  From home.

  “Were you enemies?” I felt a lump rise in my throat. “Are unicorns…food for dragons?”

  Valorre seemed deep in thought for a moment. Not food. Not enemies.

  “Then why do the dragons terrify you so much?”

  At home they were…temperamental. Anger. Something happened. The dragons raged. They were looking for someone who was missing…

  “Ailan?” I asked.

  Perhaps. I don’t remember it all. The dragons were not to be controlled. We were not enemies, but no one was friend of the dragons when they were angry. Valorre paused, then seemed to remember something else. I was sad for them.

  I recalled something one of the Elvan, Garot, had said when he’d explained the consequences of the veil in El’Ara. Something about the dragons being restless. Unicorns disappearing. “Do you think that is why you left? To get away from the dragons?”

  No, Valorre said. It was something else. I could feel something calling me. Pulling me.

  I nodded, remembering him telling me something similar before. “Perhaps it was the whispers of Ailan’s weaving.”

  Valorre went still. I remember.

  “What?”

  I could feel it. The one they were looking for. No, not the one they were looking for. Close, but not her. I could find her. I knew I could. The dragons couldn’t leave, but I could. Many others of my kind had done the same, followed the calling, but hadn’t returned. But I would, and the dragons would be at peace. Home would be whole again.

  “Mareleau.” My heart sank unexpectedly as I spoke the name. “The whispers were calling you to find Mareleau.”

  I turned away from Valorre, hand over my heart as my eyes unfocused. Why did it hurt so badly to know my unicorn companion—my best friend, aside from Teryn—had only met me because he’d been trying to find her? I took a deep breath to cool the rage that threatened to boil within me.

  You’re sad about that, Valorre said.

  My cheeks flushed, and I couldn’t ignore the deep shame that came over me. “I don’t know why I should be, but for some reason I am.” I felt a slight ease as I confessed those words, but I could feel many more words clawing at my lips—words I was not willing to allow to be true.

  I shrugged and forced a smile. “It’s silly. Mareleau is my friend too. I have no reason to be upset about that.”

  It’s fine to be upset.

  I returned to my place at his side and buried my face in his neck. “I know, Valorre.”

  Why am I remembering now? Valorre asked.

  “Maybe it’s because of the tear.”

  I think I can feel it. Home.

  My eyes widened. “You can? Maybe you can help us find the tear.”

  Valorre stiffened, and I looked up to see his ears twitching back and forth. We’re going back?

  He clearly thought it was as bad of an idea as I did. Hopefully Ailan was right about her sway over her people. She was Morkara after all, wasn’t she? The tribunal wouldn’t insist on carrying out my death sentence with her around…would they? I breathed away my worries and closed my eyes. Give me any reason not to go. Any reason at all.

  I remained still as I listened to the small voices within me, the voices of fear, reason, courage, and truth. All I found was calm silence.

  I let out a heavy sigh. “Yes, Valorre. We are going back.”

  17

  NARCUSS

  Cora

  The sun was high in the sky by the time I reentered camp. I knew I should get some sleep in preparation for our night’s travels, but I couldn’t still my mind long enough to even consider rest. Instead, I searched for whom my heart needed to find.

  I found Maiya almost as easily as I’d found Salinda. She was as close to me as a sister. A bond like that could never be broken.

  Maiya stood outside a large tent, unhooking laundry from a line. I stood behind her, a smile stretching across my face as I took in her long, raven-black hair and her plain, blue dress. Aside from the fur-lined boots and heavy shawl, she looked exactly as I’d last seen her.

  She whirled around and met my eyes, a smile playing on her lips. I ran to embrace her and found something firm and round between us as we collided. My eyes fell to her swollen belly. So, not exactly as I’d last seen her…

  Maiya giggled as she followed my gaze, then pulled me back into a hug. “Cora, it’s been so long.”

  “I know.” I found tears pooling in my eyes as I wrapped my arms around her. “I’m sorry it took me so long to come back.”

  Maiya tensed for a moment, then released me. She continued to smile, but there was something forced about it as she returned to her laundry.

  I stepped beside her and helped her take down the
remaining pieces, which appeared to belong to her husband, Roije. “I see you’re doing well. You’re already married to the man you love, and now it appears you’re soon to be a mother.” I ignored the dryness in my throat as I swallowed the words I couldn’t say. Am I the only wife in Lela not having a baby? I cursed myself for the anger that quickened yet again. What was wrong with me lately? “You must be so happy.”

  “I am, Cora. I really am.” Her smile stretched wide for a moment, then faded completely.

  “What’s wrong?” I asked.

  Maiya stuffed the rest of the laundry in her woven basket, not meeting my eyes. “It’s nothing. I’m happy to see you. Let’s just leave it at that.”

  I was surprised by the sharpness in her tone. I put my hand on her arm and steered her to face me. “You can tell me anything, Maiya. No matter how much time has passed, you’re still my sister—”

  “That’s just it, Cora,” Maiya said, finally letting her full frustration show. “It has been a long time since I’ve seen you. Last time, you came with tidings of war. Our peaceful world was thrown into chaos. My husband went to battle, and I didn’t know if I’d ever see him again. Now, you show up out of nowhere. Not to visit, but with dark tidings yet again. Another call to war. Another instance to take my husband—the father of my unborn child—away from me.”

  I stared, stunned. I’d sensed something was wrong, though I’d assumed she’d been having trouble with Roije—a recent argument, perhaps. I hadn’t anticipated her trouble was with me. “Salinda must have told you.”

  “Yes. It sounds just like last time. Except this time, I truly can’t see what it has to do with us.”

  I was torn between guilt and annoyance. “It is like last time, Maiya. And it has everything to do with us. It has to do with everyone in Lela.”

  “According to Mother, this evil Elvan sorcerer isn’t going after Lela at all.”

  “That’s not entirely true,” I argued. “He may not want Lela itself, but he will invade to get to El’Ara.”