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Mari looked every bit a queen as she met the Supreme’s eyes unflinchingly. “As soon as you learn the name of this Supreme,” she said with hauteur, “I want word as soon as possible. I cannot rest the blame fully on your shoulders,” she glanced at Demos, who had been the one to shed light on what had transpired within the Owl’s doors, “but you will share some of it. Never again will the Ongahri trust you completely. But the Fealty Agreement has met its end.”
“I understand, Queen Alpha,” the Supreme answered soberly.
“But we will keep communication open, especially if things here will change,” Lucius couldn’t help but add in.
I noticed the Supreme look between them, a silver brow raised, forehead wrinkled in thought. Was he noticing the resemblance of shared blood between them? Probably.
“I will keep you abreast, most certainly.” The Supreme then glanced at Demos. “Son, you saved my life and those of the other Servants. I wish you would reconsider your service here.”
As far as the Owl knew, it was Cael who had brought such destruction to their Basilica. Not us. Not the elementals. And Mari and Lucius, Demos as well, had no intention of changing that perception.
Demos looked at me, a rare smile forming at the corners of his mouth. “My heart and vows are elsewhere, Holy Father.”
“I see. And,” the Supreme laughed heartily, “if I were young, I’d do the same.” He winked at me, and I found myself smiling back at him.
Lady Lordes handed me a cup of tea as I watched Lucius and Mari stroll down a narrow lane outside the camp. They had been speaking a lot more, privately, their heads nodding, hands gesticulating, planning, I assumed.
“It’s good to see them collaborating,” Lady Lordes said, watching on as well. “It’s been many years in coming.”
I looked at her. Did she know?
She smiled. “Of course, time will tell, but for now, it is good.”
Yes, she knew.
And it was good. Everything was good. Finally. There were a lot of things to see to, like the Ongahri party who had delivered that evil weapon to the Basilica, which Phobius and Demos had privately told me they thought an elemental had had a hand in convincing them—possibly the old woman seer?
We’d never know.
Fadon and Lucius had questioned the party, and they all had seemed dazed, all their answers vague and head scratching. Especially when it came to how the weapon had just disappeared after several attempts to destroy the Order. “It was as if a giant hand of air lifted it to sea!” someone had said, one of the witnesses outside the gates that day.
Only a few, myself included, knew it had been Liriel, that elemental of sea and wind, who had taken it away, thank the gods.
“Are you sure you won’t stay with us before your journey?” Mari asked. We were standing in the clearing at Syrus Crossing, where House Trajan would part from our party. From there, the Ongahri would travel to their respective lands, our adventure at an end, but with a promise to attend the twenty-year Ongahri Consortium, making it this year instead of next. Lucius had decreed its location would be held in Odessia, in the summer. Everyone agreed.
Fadon hugged his sister. “We’ll visit soon.” He pulled away and eyed Jon, who stood at Mari’s side, a smile on his handsome face. “Well, Captain. Think you can handle a Trajan army full time?”
“I’ll manage, Fadon. For now.” Jon winked at me.
“Does this mean I’ll need to find another captain soon, Jon?” Mari crossed her arms, her eyes like black jewels gleaming with mirth.
We all knew Jon would be joining us at some point, just not right now.
“Lady Dega,” Lordes said, getting my attention. I pulled away from the group and stepped into Lady Lordes’ embrace. She smelled like peaches and summer evenings.
“Promise you’ll write?” she asked.
“I will.” I smiled at her. Out of all the seers, the Sisters of the Old Ways, it was she I trusted most. “I promise.”
“Good. Many blessings upon you, Child of the Morn,” she said, kissing my forehead.
I blinked.
“Ready to go?” Demos wrapped an arm around me, and I looked up at him.
“More than ready.”
We said our final goodbyes, Mari and I both a little weepy, Fadon humbled and quiet. My mates and I watched in silence as House Trajan headed north.
