“But she didn’t marry him?” he asked, and when I shook my head, he inclined his. “She could walk away from such an engagement? I was under the impression that wasn’t common in the mortal realm among nobles.”
“It’s not.” My lips twitched into a small grin. “So, we concocted a plan to make her…unavailable for such an engagement.”
His brows rose beneath his hood. “And how did you accomplish that?”
“I gained a potion from a Healer I knew, one that could make her appear sick—ill enough that the engagement would have to be postponed.” I laughed at his smile. “It worked. Kayleigh convinced her parents it had to be the warmer, more humid climate of Lasania, and they took her home. I don’t know if they believed it was some climate-related issue, Irelone is much cooler, but they…they love her. That much was clear when they didn’t force her to remain in Lasania, nor made her return.”
“Very clever of both of you,” he said. “Though it’s a shame that anyone would have to resort to such tactics.”
“Agreed,” I murmured. “Tavius, my mother, and King Ernald never knew for sure that I interfered, but I think they suspected something.” I shrugged. “But if I hadn’t? Would that have altered Delfai’s decision? And would we not have been ableto locate him in the mortal realm? I mean, it all has to be connected.” I laughed again. “I guess every aspect of one’s life is somehow connected—every choice to do or not do something creates a chain reaction. You can’t help but wonder exactly how much is preordained.”
“You’ll drive yourself mad thinking about that,” Nektas replied. “But none of your choices are preordained. Fate is not absolute. Fate is only a series of possibilities.”
“How can you be sure of that?” I asked.
“Because I was there when mortals were created. I lent my fire to breathe life into their flesh,” he reminded me. “Mortals were created in the image of the Primals, but they were also given more.”
“The ability to feel emotion.”
“And free will,” he said. “Fate doesn’t usurp that, no matter how much the Arae probably wish they did in some situations. Fate just sees all the possible outcomes of free will.”
I felt some relief in hearing that, knowing that the decisions made, whether good or bad, were choices actively made and not a result of haplessly following a set of events already decided. I glanced at Nektas as the Shroud protecting the Vale crept steadily closer to the road, and I began to hear the sirens singing once more. “Do Primals have free will?”
“They didn’t in the beginning.”
I remembered what Nyktos had told me. “Their ability to begin to feel emotion changed that?”
He nodded. “Nothing is more powerful, more life and realm-altering than the ability to feel. To experience emotion. Love. Hate. Desire. To care for oneself. To care for another.”
Nyktos wasn’t waiting for us at the crossroads as we left the Vale like I’d expected him to be. The creepy riders were, though, and they bowed once more as we passed. I figured Nyktos had gotten caught up with something, either at the Pillars themselves or in Lethe. Nektas didn’t appear concerned, so I didn’t think anythingtoo serious had occurred.
I didn’t look at the souls waiting to cross through the Pillars, even though the embers throbbed, and my muscles were already tense and achy from fighting the sirens’ call. But the Primal mist finally abated, and I could see crimson in the distance, glittering under the bright starlight. I nibbled on a piece of cheese that Nektas had handed over as my thoughts bounced from one thing to another and I ignored the faint ache building in my temples. I wouldn’t once I returned to the palace. It may not be the Culling, but I wouldn’t risk it if so.
“Sera?”
Finishing off the piece of cheese, I glanced over at Nektas. “Yeah?”
“You okay?” he asked, looking at me and then returning his gaze to the road ahead.
It took me a moment to realize what he was asking, and when I did, a flush swept through me. My hands tightened on Gala’s reins. It felt like my tongue thickened, becoming heavy and useless as my heart began to pound.
You okay?
Such a simple question. One easily answered by many, I imagined. One I could’ve answered that morning without hesitation or much thought.You okay?Now, the question was loaded with meaning because not only the Pools of Divanash knew a secret not known to others. Nektas did, too.
“I…I think so,” I said finally, beating back the prickly, uncomfortable wave. “I will be,” I added with a shrug. “I always am.”
“Not everyone can always be okay,” he said quietly. “And if you happen to find that you’re not, you can talk to me. We’ll make sure you’re okay. Agreed?”
Throat and eyes stinging, my head whipped toward him. His gaze was still fixed on the road, and I didn’t know if he did that on purpose or not. Maybe he knew that it was easier this way. “Agreed,” I whispered.
“Good,” he replied, and for a time, that was all that was said. A silence fell between us as a knot lodged itself deep in my chest, where that crack had formed.
I was moved by his offer, a little shaken and caught off guard. It was an unexpected…kindness, and it made me want to dive face-first into the road at the same time I wanted to hug the draken.
“Halt,” Nektas ordered sharply.
Jerked from my thoughts, I drew Gala to a stop. Concern blossomed. “What is it?”