Page 169 of Fate of the Sun King

“Can you read my mind?”

“No. Not entirely, but we can glean echoes of what you’re thinking.”

“That’s a little creepy.”

Again, they seem to be trying to contain a smile.

“Oh, you will do well, Lor.”

“Do well at what?”

Instead of answering my question, they sweep out a hand. “When we gathered the kings and queens here, we gave each of them a gift. Of course, you are familiar with them. Seven Artefacts used to tether Ouranos to the magic so it could come under their control and would no longer consume them.”

“That’s what they do?”

“Amongst a few other things, but their main function was to bind the humans to the magic and ascend them to High Fae, and that has been their main role for generations.”

“So then what?”

“For the magic to transfer, each ruler was asked to bind themselves to their Artefact. Their life would become one with it, and when they passed on, they would remain with it forever.”

I allow that thought to settle. “That’s why they talk to me. They’re alive.”

They tip their head, the movement feline in its elegance.

“In a manner of speaking. Their bodies are long gone, but their minds remain.”

“That sounds… uncomfortable.”

They shrug. “We wouldn’t know.”

“So, who is everyone?” I glance around the circle, noting a woman in gold underwear with bronzed skin. “She’s from Aphelion?”

They nod. “She was. They were experiencing a heat wave of unprecedented proportions when she was taken and brought here.”

“What about the others? What about Heart?” I ask just as seven objects appear above their heads spinning slowly. A woman with dark hair, wearing a red gown, stands under the Heart Crown.

“Queen Amara’s people were plagued by a disease they called the Sleepness. People would fall into a deep sleep and never wake up.”

“That’s horrible.”

“It was,” they agree.

“So she’s who lives inside my Crown?”

This is getting weirder and weirder.

“In essence,” the Empyrium says, “though their memories are not of their mortal lives.”

“Now what’s happening?” I ask.

“One of them was asked to lead. We requested that someone volunteer to remain in the Evanescence and become the symbol of divine worship for Ouranos and its people, living here for an indefinite time that would stretch beyond memory. The others would be free to return home with their objects of power and enjoy their lives until their natural ends.

“As you can imagine, few jumped at the chance to become the sacrifice. They were being offered near immortality and magic not only for themselves but for their people. And no one wanted to abandon their homes.”

I watch the seven rulers standing around the circle. They’re alternately eyeing one another and staring at the Empyrium, who stands in the center of the circle. I can’t hear anything, but I get the sense this was the moment the Empyrium asked one of them to sacrifice themselves.

Even without the benefit of sound, I feel the tension reaching between them.