She frowned, letting me know I’d offended her, before a tight smile returned to her face. “Ah yes, youarepart-human, after all. Humans are always in such a hurry. If we must be all business, so be it. Ask your question, lovely child.”
I turned to the Princes and they gave me encouraging glances. I cleared my throat and asked, “How do I manifest my world walking gift so that I can return to Erador?” I braced myself for the cost as I squeezed Galen’s hand.
“A rare gift… to traverse across galaxies. I am powerful, but even I cannot perform such strong magic. The cost for this answer is simple, and I believe you’ll find it quite fair. Come back and visit me when you’ve found your pneuma. You must arrive—and stay—in your animal form for the duration of your visit. You’ll have one week to pay the cost, once you’ve discovered what you are.”
My eyes darted to the brothers. Raf’s face was set in stone, Louis was looking at his hands, while Galen sneered at her. They said nothing to discourage me, but I had a hunch we were all thinking the same thing—trap.
Spiders weaved webs for one purpose: To catch their prey. But if she wanted me dead, why didn’t she just kill me now? There was a missing piece to this puzzle, something I didn’t understand. I had no choice but to go in blindly and hope the gods were on my side. They’d taken me this far.
“You’ll let me leave… after I visit you?” I asked, thinking of the husks of men I’d seen earlier. A fate worse than death.
“You’ve already asked your question.” Her rotted teeth flashed into a grin. I cringed, praying my animal form was something formidable—something that could hold its own against a witch.
“It’s a deal,” I said through gritted teeth. As I spoke the words, it felt as if manacles had clamped around my wrists. I looked down and saw nothing, but their presence continued to linger.
The witch’s smile widened as she set her silver eyes on me. “The answer to your question is simple. You may open and close portals between worlds, in your pneuma formonly. That has always been the way with walkers. You’ll be stronger in your animal form—able to channel more magic. You’ll know what to do, ifyou get the opportunity to return to your garden.”
It wassosimple. Had I spent more time training with Raf and less time on this journey, I may have already discovered it on my own. The wrath ofBeiraburned inside of me, as I realized this had all been a waste of time—that I’d willingly tangled myself in her web.Fornothing. Icy wind began to swirl around us as I tried to control my frustration. Galen put his hands over mine, releasing a spurt of flame to snap me out of my rage-fueled spiral.
The Oracle released a giggle. “The lady is upset with my answer? Perhaps she’ll be happier with my next gift. I shall tell you a prophecy that I’ve been holding for three hundred years. I’ll be relieved to no longer hold onto this debt.” She looked up at the sky and began to levitate. Silver light exploded from her, illuminating the violet walls of the cave.
The Princes jumped in front of me, as Galen shoved me back. Rays of light beamed from her eye sockets. She cackled like a mad hyena and then spoke in a glorious, layered voice that didn’t belong to her, nearly singing the words.
Fae and Man will burn and die,
Two Chosen heirs can stop the fight.
She was promised by the gods
Her heart of gold can change the odds.
When two heirs share blood and throne,
Only then will peace be known.
A bridge may join two worlds as one
Or death and blood may overrun.
The fates will watch how this plays out,
A lock and key, on them we count.
The Oracle collapsed as her light dimmed, howling with wicked laughter, while I resisted the urge to flee. Slowly standing back up, like a corpse from a grave, the witch turned to the others. “Any other questions? Louis, I believe you have something you’d like to ask me.”
This was my cue… I turned to Galen and whispered, “I’m feeling faint. I need to leave…now. Could you walk me out? Rafael can stay with Louis.” My stomach dipped as he took my hand. I felt like a hypocrite lying to him.
His eyes were wide and worried. “Of course. Brothers, I need to escort Marigold out of the caves. We’ll meet you outside.”
We hurried out before the witch could stop us. My feet shuffled heavily as we left Raf and Louis behind in the dark depths of her lair. Every part of me resisted as we made our way back to safety without them.
Fresh air had never felt so precious in my lungs when we emerged from the cave and found the guards unscathed, waiting with our horses. I wanted to kiss the ground with relief, but then remembered I was shackled to this place and began to shiver with shock. How was I going to find the courage to go back in there?
“How are you feeling?” Galen asked with an enigmatic grin.
I eyed him suspiciously. “Much better. What is it?” It seemed premature to celebrate—when his brothers were still in there with thatthing.
“The prophecy. Marigold, did you understand what it meant? Our Kingdoms aresupposedto unite, through blood and marriage… through thechosen heirs. That’syouandme. Together we’ll create a legacy of peace. It’s more good news than I could’ve imagined.” He was holding me by the shoulders—kissing me, right in front of the guards. I blinked in disbelief. I hadn’t had time to absorb the prophecy. I’d been more focused on getting out of there alive.
