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Salem bit his lip to keep loose words from leaving his lips. “Mother—”
“I know you believe me not, I know most Akrhyn scoff at my claim, but I have felt something was coming for so many months now. And then Zahra turned up at my home, wailing and moaning about her sister.” Talia gave her son a reproachful look. “Why my granddaughter was the one telling me, we can discuss another time.” Talia stood and strode to the window overlooking the snow-covered grounds. “As soon as Zahra told me about Tegan, I knew. I knew what my goddess needed me for.” Talia watched as four Akrhyn walked across the snow as two of them carried bows. Squinting, she realised it was her grandchildren. She did not recognise the other female, but as for the male, from his height, she recognised the Ivanov boy.
“And what does Arflyn need from you, mother?”
“To teach her. Teach her the ways of the Mother.” Talia turned to her son with a wild eagerness he had never seen from her before.
“What does that entail?” Salem asked warily.
“She needs to be matched, of course.”
Salem looked at his mother for a long moment. “Your goddess’s wish for my Tegan…is for her to be betrothed?” He knew his voice was giving away his scepticism.
“Not only betrothed, but with child.”
“Your goddess wants my eighteen-year-old daughter to become pregnant?” His voice was flat.
“Yes.” Talia nodded fervently. “She will birth a strong son. He is the change we need.”
“Mother, Tegan is a soldier,” Salem said slowly. “She is fearless in battle. I do not think the Mother needs Tegan to become a mother. Yet.”
“You are thinking with your heart,” Talia dismissed him easily. “It is her child we wait for.”
“Drakhynarmiesare attacking usnow, not in twenty years’ time. We are dyingnow.” Salem stood and headed for his liquor cabinet. “What is Arflyn’s plan for us now?”
“We will endure, we have always endured. We are Akrhyn.”
“Did you tell anyone else your belief?” Salem asked cautiously.
“No. I know I need to share it with Tegan soon though. The goddess is growing impatient.”
Salem nodded as he poured himself a drink and considered how best to tell his mother she had lost her mind. Perversely, he wanted to be in the room when his mother tried to tell Tegan that she was to put down weapons and produce children. His thoughts flashed momentarily to Cord being a father, and a bubble of laughter escaped him. He could imagine the response of the Castor. Quickly taking a sip to calm down his hysteria, he realised his mother was looking at him with sadness.
“You do not believe me.”
“I do not.” Salem decided not to try and soften his words. “Arflyn is an Ancient whom we love and respect, and yes, she may not be as eager for war and vengeance as Brindlelay is, but from the teachings I know of Arflyn, removing one of our best soldiers from battle...no, mother. I do not believe it.”
Talia’s eyes filled with tears, and turning swiftly on her heel, she left his study. Salem sighed heavily as he sat down behind his desk. He didn’t look up when he heard the door open again. He heard the clinking of crystal as a drink was poured.
“It is an outlandish theory,” Marcus said as he sat down on the chair opposite Salem.
“I wasn’t sure if you could hear what she was saying,” Salem grunted. “By the wrath of Harrian, can you imagine if she tells Tegan that she is to stop being a Sentinel, an Elite Sentinel at that, to have Cord’s child?” Salem took another drink. He looked over at Marcus, who had his hand covering his mouth. “It is not funny, old friend,” Salem grumbled.
“It is slightly funny,” Marcus said gently. “It wouldn’t be funny, of course, once Tegan killed her grandmother, but...”
“What’s worse? Telling Tegan? Telling Cord? Or sending my mother away?”
Marcus was thoughtful. “Why did she react so badly to Sloane?”
“What?”
“In the training room, she saw Tegan and Sloane holding hands, and she said, ‘Incest will not be tolerated,’ but if she thinks Tegan is to birth a child, she would know the father is Cord.” Marcus looked at Salem. “Wouldn’t she? The two are bonded through the Ancients, why would Talia question Sloane?”
“When her goddess would have shown her who the father is.” Salem nodded slowly. They both sat in silence. “Unless...”
“Unless Tegan is the female the Drakhyn want?” Marcus said darkly. “Who else would send visions of a young Akrhyn pregnant with a child that will bring change?”
“The Three said that the Drakhynleaderhad power.” Salem jumped to his feet. “My mother has been compromised,” he said grimly as he hurried to the door. “I’ll find her, you find Tegan!”
