Page 40 of Tale of the Heart Queen

It could have all been so much worse.

I blink. “What could have?”

Coral pauses for several seconds, almost as if she’s gathering herself.

It has always been a condition of Imperial magic that should a ruler attempt to seize power for themselves, they would lose it all.

I wait for her to continue, understanding she’s about to open another door that can never be closed.

But that is our condition. One we decided at the beginning to prevent endless years of bloodshed. That threat was enough to keep hundreds of rulers in line, save a few over the millennia, but we handled those with little trouble.

I pause, sure I’m about to hear more about my grandmother.

When an unascended Primary attempts to seize power, the magic does react, becoming erratic and wild and difficult to control. As I said, we were able to smooth over previous incidents, but not on the day Serce tried to steal the crown. With her, there was too much power to contain.

It takes a moment for me to understand what she’s saying. Out of precaution, they never shared the entire truth.

“Does this have to do with everyone losing their magic?” I ask.

Yes. That night, the Crown felt the magic spinning out of control. It began fraying apart, and it was only a matter of time before it devastated the continent in a permanent way. The Crown told Queen Daedra to slice out a piece of its jewel and pass it to the next Primary. In that way, the transfer would be incomplete and, therefore, the reaction less violent.

Still, your grandmother was strong beyond measure. The magic of Heart has always been very powerful. When the end came, the only way we could save everyone was to direct all the Imperial magic down into the earth as far as we could and then seal it off to prevent a chain reaction across every realm. It was the best we could do.

I press a hand to my chest, remembering when the Staff revealed what happened that day. My throat knots, recalling the way my grandfather wept over my mother when they sent her away to save her life.

We also hid the Heart Crown in a place where no one but its true owner would ever find it.

I nod at those words because that makes sense. Nadir had been sure only my magic would free it. Only I would have been able to feel that tug towards it.

Once we felt the worst danger had passed, we returned the magic to the other realms, but Heart was not yet stable enough. As your mother matured, it was still too volatile, and so we waited. When she gave birth to three children many years later, we had just enough control to bestow the first threads onto you and your siblings. And then we chose one to become the Primary.

I shake my head. Finally, all of these pieces are starting to fall into place. For the first time since I arrived in Aphelion, I feel like a fog is lifting.

“I’m still not sure I’m following. Can I bring the magic back?”

You’ve already started it, Heart Queen. Why do you think the roses bloomed for you? Why do you think you were the only one who could find the Crown?

“How do I do that?”

We cannot release all the magic into Heart until you ascend and take your throne. Only then can your queendom ever be whole.

I consider that statement. That has always been my goal. But the Empyrium want me to become Zerra.

“Can someone else do it?” I ask.

Not unless you give birth to a new Primary.

“I can’t just give it to someone else?”

It’s then I realize Coral said they bestowed the first threads of Heart magic onto my siblings. Willow, too?

“What about my sister? What if I died?”

Your brother’s and sister’s destinies lie elsewhere. There is no one else. It must be you or someone born of you.

“What happens if I don’t?” My fist clenches against the rough surface of the Artefact, bracing for the answer.

Then we will have no choice but to disperse the magic of Heart throughout the continent, allowing it to meld with the power of the other realms. The Crown will crumble to dust, its magic lost forever, and Heart and its people will become only a memory. The longer we delay, the harder it becomes. We are running out of time. You must act soon.