Carrick’s eyebrows shot high. “You mean you don’t know? I thought the gods knew everything.”
“Honestly, Carrick… you know this isn’t the only prophecy in play. You know there are thousands of alternate realms we govern, not to mention the cosmos. It’s one of the reasons we created demi-gods because there is so much to see and only five of us.”
Slowly shaking his head, Carrick leveled a half-smile at her. “I don’t believe it. You’re invested in this one for some reason, as evidenced by the way you helped Finley.”
“My assistance was infinitesimal,” she huffed. “Only to help her bring her friends on board.”
“Which gave her confidence and strength through their moral support,” Carrick rebuked. “It was a big play on your part.”
“Whatever,” Veda huffed, then she studied Carrick critically. “You do seem different, though. You look… satisfied. No, that’s not right. Happy?”
Carrick wasn’t buying her feigned ignorance. He was confident Veda knew every damn thing that had happened from their visit to Sarvel to the fact that Carrick’s resolve broke, and he took Finley into his bed.
“She brings out the best in you, Carrick,” Veda said softly. “While I thought you’d hold out longer, I’m glad you gave in.”
“I didn’t take you for such a romantic,” Carrick muttered as he picked up his beer and took a long pull. “But the truth is, Finley made an incredibly good point that I’ll be ascending after this is over, so why not? It’s not a bad way to spend my free time, don’t you think?”
Carrick was baiting Veda, and she knew it. She was also far wiser than he would ever be and didn’t fall for it.
“I don’t buy for a minute that Finley is just a nice roll in the hay for you,” Veda said bluntly, then she narrowed her eyes. “But tell me the truth… doesn’t she change your desire to ascend?”
There was never a question Carrick didn’t want to answer more, so he asked one of his own. “Isn’t she the very reason I’m asking to ascend?”
Veda frowned. “You speak in riddles to me when it’s unnecessary. You forget I know everything. I know every second of every hour of every day of your life. I know your highs and lows and everything in between. More than anything, I know your motivations, so you don’t have to play coy with me, Carrick.”
It was true. There were no secrets held back from the gods. His life was under a glaring spotlight, and Veda probably knew him better than he knew himself.
“What does it matter?” Carrick asked dully. “Arwen says she’ll have to bear the burden of sacrifice. I’ve lived through enough prophecies to know what that means, and she’ll die.”
“Only if you believe wholeheartedly that things are pre-ordained through fate,” she suggested.
“Aren’t they?” he inquired.
Veda shrugged. “Are they?”
Carrick actually chuckled at that because while the gods often offered wise counsel, they could be slick little weasels when they wanted him to figure things out on his own.
“What I really want to know,” Veda said with a sly grin, “is if you are going to tell Finley the truth about why you want to ascend?”
Carrick didn’t hesitate because he’d already promised Finley he would. He had previously given her a watered-down version of his reasons—being tired of this life and wanting to be released for his own peace. But there was a little bit more to it.
“Yes, I’m going to tell her,” he admitted.
“When?” Veda pressed.
“When she needs to know.” He could play the ambiguity game just as good as the gods could.
Veda let out a tinkling laugh, causing more heads on the outdoor patio to look her way. She acted like she didn’t notice it, but she did. He wouldn’t be surprised if a certain someone had even caught her eye, and she might take him to bed. He imagined sex with a god would be mind-blowing to a mere mortal.
“Tell me why you really wanted to meet me,” Veda suggested when her laughter died.
Carrick leaned forward, crossing his arms on the table. “Rune.”
Just one word, and Veda nodded sagely in understanding.
“I want to know if his curse will prevent Finley from fulfilling her role in the prophecy.”
“You mean will he kill her just to spite you, now that you two are intimate?”
Carrick nodded. That was exactly what he meant because Rune’s hatred toward him was enough to put Finley in danger. He needed to know if that was bigger than the prophecy.
Veda took a slow sip of wine, and Carrick wondered if she would even answer him at all. But when she set the glass down, she said, “What I can tell you is that Rune cannot change her ultimate end fate once the prophecy is enacted. The gods have to let it play out.”
“And the prophecy has been enacted?” Carrick asked for clarification. “That was Kymaris—a changeling—taking over Fallon’s body, right?”