More nýmphí gather at my parents’ home as I prepare to get ready there. It feels comforting, like a small connection to my past. If I can’t return to my mother’s home, having this option is a blessing.
“When you’re not with me, where do you go?” I ask the nýmphá brushing my hair.
“Some of us are always watching from afar, Ethereal Leader.”
“Others tend to nature,” another nýmphá says, resting her chin on my thigh. “We help animals in need, play with the leaves, and make sure Mother Nature doesn’t suffer.”
“If you’re busy doing all that, who takes over your duties?” I ask, tucking a lock of her brown hair behind her ear.
“There are many of us, Ethereal Leader,” she replies, her voice light as a song.
“How many?”
“Too many to count. Maybe hundreds?”
“Hundreds?” I repeat, turning to the nýmphá in surprise.
They giggle at my reaction, their laughter harmonious, like a symphony of voices layered atop one another. I could listen to it forever. Despite their thin bodies, they never eat, yet still radiate life and energy. As ethereal beings, they’re sustained by their crystals and serve me as the Lidéren of the prophecy they believe in.
“You summoned blue roses with your tears, Ethereal Leader,” a nýmphá perched on the edge of the cabinets says, swinging her legs lazily. “Have you tried doing it with your will instead?”
“Can I do that?” I ask as the nýmphá behind me starts braiding my hair, humming a soft tune.
The nýmphá on my thigh lifts her head and gently takes my hand with a smile. “Focus your energy here.”
With her hands holding mine, I close my eyes. If Theron could do it, maybe I can too.
“Trust that you already have one in your palm,” she says. “When we truly believe we already possess what we desire, it comes to us.”
I imagine a blue rose in my hand, but nothing happens. “I can’t,”
“You can.” She giggles. “You have the idea, but it’s not clear. Focus on the petals—their texture, their scent, their color. Picture the beauty of this rare flower. Think of the ones you’ve seen before, perhaps with your mother or Éva, the Mother of All.”
A blue rose. Deep, beautiful blue. Its petals are velvety and delicate, their fragrance sweet and calming. Like the ones my mother and I used to water together. Or the roses glowing by the grave. Or even those I summoned near the ancient stone.
Beautiful, blue, and luminous, responding to my wish.Come to me, pretty flower, appear in my hand.
It does.
A light, airy sensation forms in my palm. When I open my eyes, I see a soft, glowing ball of pale blue. It begins to grow, forming the shape of a blue rose.
“Oh,” I breathe.
The nýmphá leans in, inhaling its fragrance. With a warm smile, she reaches out and caresses the petals.
We run back to Ávera together. Since my awakening began, combined with Theron’s nightly healing sessions, my body feels stronger every day. Not just stronger, but more keen. My vision is clearer, my sense of smell more acute. Not like a vólkin’s, but certainly no longer like a human’s either. I can only imagine what my abilities will be like when I fully awaken.
It’s incredible to think that thousands of years ago, women didn’t need bonding rituals to achieve this. Back then, they were so connected to their spirituality that they bonded souls with their mates naturally. What men have done to disrupt thatbalance is unforgivable, but soon, that will change. Soon, I will destroy every creation of men, and Ávera will stretch until it reaches the oceans surrounding the land. Spirits and humans will live in nature, free of chains, as it was always intended.
Mother Nature never meant for us to stress or suffer. We were always meant to live as free spirits. And this is my plan to restore balance.
When we reach Ávera, the scent of cooked meat fills the air. Tonight, they’ve prepared meals for two humans—Gregor and me. Gregor’s arrival has unsettled everyone, and I can only hope this feast will ease the tension that hangs heavy over the village.
Theron promised we’d question Gregor together. The fact that he isn’t here yet, and that Gregor seems more at ease than before, is a good sign.
“Her Majesty has arrived!” Mina announces, her voice carrying across the gathering.
Every vólkin turns to face us, bowing low. My gaze shifts to Gregor, and he bows as well. This is good. It makes him seem more relatable.
