Tears fell unchecked, staining the fabric of my dress.
A faint pressure brushed my shoulders, like the touch of unseen fingers. My eyes flew open, searching the chamber.
Gayle remained kneeling, her posture unbroken. Her husband and Dageel stayed motionless, their foreheads bowed in reverence. The room held no answers, yet the sensation lingered—soft, elusive, impossible to ignore.
Goddess?The faintest breeze brushed my cheek, cool and deliberate, like a whisper against my skin.
Could the gods of Radaan hear a prayer from Draconis lips? I didn’t claim to understand their ways or believe they meddled in mortal affairs, but what harm lay in trying?
Veridis, I vow to honor you. As Radaan’s queen, I shall proclaim you my goddess and devote my life to preserving yours. I swear to seek your priestesses, follow their wisdom, and guide your people back to your light. Return Kallias to me, and I will serve you as no other queen has.
A tremor of doubt rippled through me, twisting in my gut. What if no one listened? What if the gods were myths, and I whispered into emptiness? But if they were real…
I will complete the celebration of life.
The sacred ceremony Eldeiade left unfinished—the second rite of the Great Hunt. Veridis demanded its completion.
The air shifted. A sudden gust swept through the chamber, far too forceful for a mere draft. Gayle’s breath caught as I lifted my gaze to the altar. The flame beside the statue leaped, blazing wild for an instant before softening to a steady glow.
My throat tightened as realization sank in. What had I done?
My words pressed against me, heavy and inescapable.
I had struck a bargain with a goddess.
A horn sounded, sharp and commanding, breaking through my thoughts.
My head snapped up.
A second blast followed, low and resonant. Gayle’s face remained calm, though a faint frown tugged at her brow.
The third note rang out. Her lips curved into a quiet smile. “The mammoth has been slain.”
“And Kal—the king?” I swallowed hard, forcing his name back down.
A weight settled in my chest as I searched their faces for any sign of hope, but their expressions gave nothing away.
Clay pushed to his feet, his movements slow, deliberate. He offered a hand to Dageel, helping him rise. “One summons the fighters. Two announce victory but warn of injury. Three mean the threat is gone, and the king stands unharmed.”
Relief surged through me, leaving my limbs weak. My vision blurred, though no tears fell. I turned toward Veridis’ altar and let a silent prayer escape me.
Thank you.
A strange warmth settled over me, as if unseen arms wrapped around my shoulders. The sensation startled me, but my lips lifted in a grin despite my unease. Imagined or not, I wouldn’t dismiss Radaan’s gods—not after this. Not when Kallias made it out alive.
Gayle struggled to stand. I extended my hand, steadying her as she rose. She accepted it with a motherly pat before linking her arm through mine. Her gaze sparkled with quiet pride. “We’ll be there to welcome him.”
As we approached the estate’s entrance, the energy outside swelled. What had been still and silent now buzzed with life. Voices rose in excited waves, filling the streets with chatter. Children darted between patches of wildflowers, their laughter spilling into the air as they plucked blossoms. Families clung to one another, sharing embraces filled with joy and relief.
Gayle leaned closer, her words nearly drowned by the crowd. “It has been years since the last mammoth. This is more than a victory—it’s a reminder. Our king is blessed by the gods.”
I clasped my hands, drawing them tight against my chest. My gaze swept southward, pulled by the growing cheers that rippled through the town. My thumb traced restless circles across my palm. Every nerve in me urged me to push forward, to part the crowd and find him.
I needed to see him.
Gayle threaded her arm through mine, offering a firm squeeze. “He will rest here tonight. Tradition dictates the king stays where he slew the mammoth.”
My throat tightened, an invisible hand wrapping around my heart crushing it. I struck a bargain with Veridis. There was no turning back. The celebration of life demanded the queen wash the king’s blood away. Kallias had made it clear he wanted no more from me than duty, and I would honor that boundary.
