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“Of Locasta and a sire not of Holden’s loins.”
My lips parted. Yes. Finally, we were getting somewhere interesting, for I always found myself greatly invested in the progress of one of those descendants. They held the key to breaking the curse that could bring a measure of peace across the entire land. They could stop the madness my own son had held a hand in starting.
“And what do you see the High Clifter doing, my love?” I asked, moving closer, squeezing Wicket’s arm tighter.
“He travels with the Far Shore queen’s caravan to survey her new realm,” he answered.
I knew I’d helped that girl along in her journey to become the kingdom’s ruler for a reason. This must’ve been that very reason.
Usually, I refrained from interfering as much as possible, but there’d been something about Nicolette and Farrow that had told me to act. Thank goodness I’d listened to my instincts.
“And he’s just discovered his true love,” Wicket went on.
“Did he?” I fisted my free hand in jubilation, then pressed it to my mouth before murmuring, “Lucky him. So who is she, Wicket? Who’s his soul mate?”
“Another mark bearer.” His wooden words flowed over me like the finest ale, going to my head until I felt instantly light-headed with glee. “But not the mark of L’Amante,” he added. “This one holds the mark...of his enemy.”
I closed my eyes and wavered on my feet.
But thank you, thank you, thank you.
It was about time.
Hope had returned.
Once I was steady, I drew in a deep, relieved breath and opened my lashes, only to find my young lover beginning to shake with exertion, sweat trailing down his face.
“Oh! Wicket, you poor soul.” I touched his arm to relieve him from the grip his powers had on him. “You may stop now, darling. But thank you for holding on to the vision for as long as you did. You’re such a dear.”
It endangered a seeing eye to linger too long in their foresight. That was why they rarely saw a clear picture of what was happening or would happen. But Wicket had been willing to risk hurting himself and losing his powers just for me. He was such a dedicated boy. He deserved a reward for that.
Sucking in a breath, he returned to himself and peered up at me, hoping to find favor.
I smiled gently, willing to give it, and wiped some of the perspiration from his brow until he seemed content.
All the while, I knew it was definitely time for me to move on, assume a new identity, and keep tabs on the freshly matched mates whose marks conflicted terribly, while trying not to interfere in their destiny as much as I could help it.
And I wouldn’t.
As long as everything went the way I needed it to go, anyway.
But this time—this time, maybe I’d take Wicket along with me. He was an ardent, vigorous lover. A loyal follower. And I might need his foresight again. Plus, I was tired of being alone every time I began anew.
Without speaking, he watched me expectantly, hoping for an explanation of the importance behind what he’d just seen.
He had no idea what new wonders awaited him.
I smiled, ready to share my burdens and secrets with someone else for once. “How would you like to go on a journey with me, darling?”
He nodded immediately. “I would go anywhere with you, Mater.”
I bit back a groan. The child was still fixed on calling me mother, it seemed.
Oh well. We could work in his faulty forms of address as we went. It would be a nice challenge. And I’d still enjoy his company.
“In that case...” I delicately pressed my thumbs over his eye sockets so I could see into his deepest desires. It would’ve been convenient if I could’ve just done this to see his soothsayer vision too, but magic was never so easy.
At least I could see this, though.
