Oliver and I sat there on a small patch of grass, his arms wrapped around me. I could feel through the bond that he was worried I would disappear.
Slowly, I untangled myself from him. He looked at me like I’d just taken his whole world out of his hands.
“We can’t stay like this all day. Let’s join the group. I smell a fire, and I’d really like some food.” My stomach growled like it wanted to vote.
Oliver cracked a small smile. “We'd better get you something to eat, then.”
We walked down slowly. My stormhound hovered around my ankles the closer we got.
Something rose in my chest, the storm, stronger than before, as if it had finally decided I was allowed to hold it instead of it just surging through me.
I held onto that feeling as we walked. It wasn’t the feeling I was used to.
It wasn’t survival.
It was instinct;
not the kind that runs,
the kind that knows.
We reached the bottom of the waterfall. I went straight to the fire, Oliver at my side and the stormhound at my heels.
Castor sat next to Briar while she stared into the flames like she was listening for something inside them. His hand stayed on her back, like he might have to pull her into him at any second.
Her head snapped up the moment I sat across from her.
“You died?” Briar asked, breathless, like she understood the shape of death and got up anyway.
“Yes.” I searched her face for what she meant to do with that answer. Oliver’s hand hovered just above my hip. Not touching, but Gods, I wanted his warmth again.
Briar met my eyes and drew in a shaking breath. “I never wanted the cost of bringing Kathera back to be your life.” She swallowed. “I know what it feels like to stop breathing.”
Her gaze slid to Oliver.
“And I know what it does to you,” she said softly, “when you give something up to bring back the one you love.”
She stood and walked over to me. Oliver tensed beside me.
“Give me your hand.” It sounded like a request, but her eyes said it wasn’t.
I gave her my hand.
She traced the lines in my palm with the lightest touch, like she was reading something written before I ever took a breath. Then she looked up, green eyes shining with tears.
“You are more than we expected,” she whispered. “I may not be a Seer, but Eyglantian people have our ways of deciphering Fate.”
Her thumb pressed once into the center of my palm, gentle and sure.
“You’re meant for more than bringing Kathera back.”
Her voice steadied.
“You carry a Worldname inside you.”
She lifted her eyes to mine.
“Skyborn.”
“What does that mean? I’m so tired of hearing things I don’t understand. The Forest of the Forgotten calls me that, too.”
The wind rushed past my face, cool and sharp, like it was answering in a language I didn’t know how to speak yet. Or maybe one I did speak, but was ignoring.
Briar’s mouth twitched; not quite a smile. “You already know what it means. Even if you haven’t dared to say it aloud yet, I won’t say it for you.”
She let go of my hand and returned to Castor’s side.
Oliver’s voice entered my mind. Do you know what she means?
No, I replied, but I couldn’t help feeling like some part of me did.
Cyrus cleared his throat like he’d been waiting for the right moment. “Food’s ready, if anyone wants any.”
I sat down. Oliver was already handing me a plate. He took his place beside me. We ate in silence for a while.
Then I set my plate down. “So, do we know what the next stone and essence is?”
Just as I asked, Elyon moved out of the trees, stepping forward like they’d been there long before we noticed.
Ami and Cyrus stood.
“Who are you? What are you doing here?” Ami asked, already reaching into a pouch at her side.
“Your lightning dust will do nothing, Amiranthia,” Elyon replied.
“How do you know my name?” Her hand stayed on the pouch. I smirked. Now she knew what that felt like.
“It is the name you were given by your parents, correct?” Their white eyes fixed on her.
She hesitated. “Well… yes.”
“Then it is the name I will call you.” Elyon’s gaze slid to me.
“Skyborn. I am glad your song didn’t end.”
They looked in my direction and seemed to see straight through me.
Then their attention drifted to Briar. “Soulborn, it is good to hear your song again.” A smile played on their lips.
A song fell from their lips like it was waiting:
The blood renewed,
Life hangs in hands that pray.
A breath taken awaiting to awaken
A song from voices that have not been heard.
A Light will brighten a way for all to sea
Illuminating knowledge long held,
Trust in sight to guide you home,
Shadows linger, faded, not broken;
waiting for love to name it whole.
Soul will strengthen, even with what will be given.
Love will bind it whole.
“Can you say something normal for once?” I said when they finished. “What shard is next? I’m tired of riddles.”
“Life,” Oliver breathed beside me.
I looked at him. His face had gone pale, his jaw tight.
“I know where to find the life shard,” he said. His hands shook slightly; he folded them together as if that could stop it.
“Where?” I asked.
“My village. My home…” His voice splintered on the words. “My father carries it.”
Something in him went distant eyes glazed, as though he was already walking those roads in his head. I reached for his hands and held them still between mine.
“Oliver. Look at me.”
His eyes snapped to mine.
“We will do this together,” I said, low and certain. “No one else pays in blood. That part of the debt is already paid.”
He searched my face for hesitation. I gave him none.
We were already torn apart once. I sent through the bond. It will not happen again.
His breath shuddered.
I don’t think we’ll be torn apart from each other, he replied, fear and love tangled tight. I’m worried about seeing my father again… after breaking my oath… after finding you…
I leaned close enough to feel his fear in the air.
“If even one person thinks about hurting you for choosing me…”
The wind went still.
“That will be their last thought.”
A promise.
One I intended to keep.