“And now that it appears the Gods may have harmed them, does that not throw our beliefs into question?” I hated that I used the termour, but even though I would never admit it out loud, humans and the fae did share this one common ground—the Gods. It was ironic that the most basic foundation was the only similarity we could acknowledge.
That was all I’d consider of that, though.
“There is a complexity in all religions. One most humans have not lived long enough to grasp.” I glowered at Mora, but she held up a hand and continued, “I do not mean offense by this, but it took me many centuries of study to fully understand. I still am not certain I do. In a way, we all believe the same thing, though.”
“What do you mean?”
“Many species and races tend to claim their deities for similar reasons. For guidance, protection, and solace in the face of the unknown. A story of creation, a fear of destruction. Life and death and rebirth. We tell similar carvings of the world’s beginnings and endings, but with different symbols and figureheads.”
I considered what she meant, digging into my expansive—or limited, according to her—knowledge of the Gods and Angels. The magic may be designated differently between them, the powers they instilled or protected varying, but there were trends that could not be denied.
A Goddess of Fate. An Angel of Starsearching.
A God of Nature. Angels whose territories tended toward the seas and land.
A Goddess of Death. An Angel who guided souls.
They were segmented differently, but when names and titles were removed, it was impossible to deny that the symbols they represented, the comforts they provided, were similar.
“But how does that change when the Gods and Angels are no longer only symbols or figureheads?” I dared to ask.
Celissia, back in our stall, added with a sympathetic nod, “How does all of this change if they walked among us?”
Mora didn’t argue that the Gods had never walked the earth this time. Instead, she said, “I suppose that is a question only fate’s misty hands can answer.”
My brow furrowed at that frustratingly vague response, but before I could answer, a shadow shrouded the stall.
“We’re returning to the inn. The warriors will continue tomorrow,” Lancaster stated, not even looking at me.
I scoffed, finishing the quick tidying as the siblings discussed the work they’d done to help the market.
As we walked back, Cypherion and Vale in conversation with Lancaster, Mora stepped beside me and Celissia. “Did you truly not know you were a Bounty?” she asked.
I narrowed my stare on her brother’s broad back, not making eye contact with the female. I wasn’t in the mood to be taunted when my beliefs were already so unsteady. “I knew nothing of the Bounties, nor did I know their blood ran through my line. Before my parents died, we lost contact with all remaining family.”
Something sharp twisted inside me, a key almost nudging into a lock. A piece that claimed it would like to know where this power came from, and who survived the slaughter to lead them to Gallantia. Did I truly have the senses to track the fae? Whowere my ancestors, and were there more of us out there? How had they evaded such powerful soldiers?
My eyes locked on Lancaster; how had they outrunthe hunter?
Mora tracked the subtle stare, of course. Damn observant fae. “He hates it, you know.”
“What?” I blinked at her.
“My brother hates what he was born to do. Hates that she can snap her fingers and order him to kill.”
A harsh breath sliced through my chest. “How did it happen?”
“That is not my story to tell,” Mora said. “And it is not one he will share freely.”
“How is it you do not have the instinct?” Celissia asked as we rounded a corner, carefully avoiding a pile of shattered glass. The air still held that eerie purple and maroon glow of the Rite, and the shards winked with it.
“Fae magic is all tied to blood, but it varies. It is not guaranteed that because we are of the same line, our power will manifest the same. And beyond that, we do not share fathers. Our mother had many, many children.”
“Is she in the queen’s employ?” Celissia asked. “Is that how both of you ended up there?”
“Not her employ, no.” Mora’s voice tightened, and she didn’t elaborate.
Another unclear response. I sighed. “Do your other siblings share your tendency for glamour or the stronger healing magic?”
