In another life, my mother could have chosen herself first. She could have traveled with no restrictions, lived her dreams, read all the books in the world. And never looked back. She’d have danced around the fire at midnight, laughed without worries.
She’d never have had to give herself away.
Theron’s hold tightens. “She will be remembered by everyone, my mate. I vow this to you.”
I nod into his chest as tears well in my eyes. “There’s more,” I whisper.
Theron releases me, his paws resting on my waist. “Do you want me to read it?”
I shake my head. This is something I want to do.
Taking a deep breath, I open the diary again. My fingers brush against a piece of paper tucked between the pages, its edges yellowed and brittle, even older than the diary itself. I pull it out, unfold it carefully, and my hands tremble as I prepare for what it might reveal.
The Barrier of Sovereignty and the Eradication of the Vólkin Threat
On the 12th moon of the year 314, by order of Tsar Aldrik I, the vólkin threat was eradicated, and the Barrier of Sovereignty was raised to ensure humanity’s dominion over the land.
Sixty-four spiritual beings were sacrificed to fuel the creation of the barrier. The vólkins and their human mates were lured beyond the borders of Ávera. The Tsar’s men, armed with arrows forged to pierce spiritual crystals, targeted the women’s heads. As each crystal shattered, their bearers fell. The vólkins, bound to their mates by the goddesses’ will, perished immediately.
The bodies of the fallen were collected and burned to form the foundation of the ritual to raise the barrier. Their ashes were scattered at the six points around the land, and the power of sixty-four spiritual beings was harnessed by the incantations of the Council of Crown.
The Barrier of Sovereignty was declared impenetrable, severing Ávera from the outside world. Within, the vólkins are confined, their influence extinguished. Beyond, humanity will thrive under the Crown’s divine authority, free from the interference of nature’s guardians.
The prophecy of the Lidéren remains the greatest threat to this balance. Should the blood of the blue rose awaken, the barrier will falter, and the spirits of the fallen may rise again to undo what was built. The Tsar and his descendants must guard against this prophecy at all costs.
This document is to remain within the Tsar’s study. Any attempt to uncover the truth of the barrier’s creation or the identities of the sixty-four sacrificed beings is punishable by death.
The Sixty-Four Sacrificed to Raise the Barrier of Sovereignty
1 Miroslár and Tatiána Kholína (Sister to Míra, Tárnov)
2 Drágan and Miléna Drazíc (Merchant’s Daughter, Róstan)
3 Rádon and Zóra Kovác (Noble of Tárnov)
4 Míslaven and Vésna Petróva (Healer of Gráyárk)
5 Boríslon and Lýuba Tarnóvska (Lord’s Daughter, Vódany)
6 Zóran and Míra Kholína (Citizen of Tárnov)
7 Rádomir and Daníca Thórne (Lady of Velháven)
8 Srdján and Ívana Haymoor (Noblewoman of Yáarím)
9 Bódan and Jeléna Vorst (Village Elder’s Daughter, Róstan)
10 Vukásin and Katarína Markóvicová (Noble of Velháven)
11 Brán and Sláva Ríke (Merchant’s Wife, Gráyárk)
12 Stánimir and Natálya Tarnóvska (Sister to Lýuba, Vódany)
13 Velímir and Rádmila Ivanóvic (Citizen of Velháven)
14 Dobromír and Sofíya Kovác (Noblewoman of Tárnov)
15 Vládan and Ánya Volkóva (House Volkóv, Nobility of Velháven)
