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Only now, in this version, Mareina was nowhere to be found.
My heart nearly stopped.
Where the fuck was Mareina?
Something was wrong. Horribly, horribly wrong.
As though witnessing the event in person, I found myself standing in Zurie’s throne room with my future self in front of me, along with the priestess officiating my inauguration, and what appeared to be at least half of Bastrina in the audience to witness. I turned in a full circle, scanning every corner for Mareina.
Panic filled me to the brim when she was nowhere to be seen and powerless to escape this fucking nightmare.
The priestess, dressed in the traditional Akashian vestments, stood before my future self.
“Nakoa Solanis, your reign rings forth an era of unparalleled peace, unity, and prosperity to the Kingdom of Atratus. As the High Priestess, I pledge on behalf of our deity,Akash, to bestow her blessings, protection, power, and wisdom to guide our sovereign nation justly so that you may lead us to a future brighter than the stars themselves.”
A large, gilded crown appeared in the priestess’ hands, placing it on my bowed head. She stepped back, and I rose, solemn words pouring forth and echoing with power throughout the temple as my wings unfurled and I drew a blade across my palm.
“By the divine power vested in me, I swear an unbreakable vow: I will protect the Kingdom of Atratus with my life. In the darkest of nights and the fiercest of storms, I shall remain the guardian of Atratus until death. WithAkash’swill and power flowing through my veins, I shall fulfil my sacred duty with honor.”
Chapter
Forty-Five
MAREINA
My sleep was fitful. Plagued by nightmares too close to a past reality that I was desperate to forget. On Zurie’s dais in her ampitheater, Vesper had wielded my sword as she beheaded everyone I’d ever I’d ever loved, and I was forced to watch as a crowd behind me cheered. I’d knelt beside them, chained to the ground, waiting my turn as their blood pooled around me. Only my turn never came. The blood around me rose higher until it filled my lungs, and I drowned beside their headless bodies.
The sensation of Nakoa’s large, firm body curled behind mine, tugging me firmly against him, was a tremendous relief despite the lack of trust between us. At least until memories of the previous evening returned, making my wounded heart that much harder. I drew in a fortifying breath.
How could I keep this secret from him?
How could I kill his mother without him knowing?
And if I told him the truth, in what way would our world be doomed?
Leilani had pulled me aside again afterThe Welland reaffirmed the importance of not telling him the truth about Zurie. It was cruel to not tell him… But… Was that knowledge worth lives? No… I guess I couldn’t say it was. And Miroslav had reminded me of the fact before the night’s end.
The words were crawling up my throat until I turned in his arms to find him wide awake. His face pale and expression tense, eyes wide with fear. My heart rate kicked at the sight.
“What happened?”
His throat worked on a rough swallow, shaking his head gently. My heart began to pound furiously.
“Last night… The Well.”
“You visited it?”
A nod.
“And…?”
“… I don’t know that I can say.”
“Is something terrible going to happen?”
He paused momentarily, licking his lips and taking a deep breath.
“I… Don’t know.”
