Page 115 of The Oracle of Dusk

“He’s meant for another.”

And a princess at that, if her ancient sources were to be believed.

“So you keep saying. And yet your histories neglected to mention a name. Who’s to say they got it right? Who’s to say that woman can’t be you?”

“I was never meant to be here, Hyllus.”

“Exactly. You’re already changing the fate of Trisia by your travels. Why not change his as well?”

Goddesses, how she wanted that. He’d chosen death to save her. How could she not be fundamentally moved by his brave sacrifice? For all his faults, all his obvious scheming, at heart he was a good man. Hyllus had been privy to some of the findings of the investigation. In addition to uncovering more everyday horrors visited on the denizens of the vivarium, he’d discovered what Flora had planned for the evening’s entertainment that fateful day. Aurora suppressed a surge of nausea at the thought. Now she understood why Theron had been so adamant about facing the monstrosities, about why he’d chosen death.

She would never be able to repay that selfless sacrifice. Nor would she, it seemed, be able to quash the rising tide inside her whenever she thought of him. Not the jolt of pleasure whenever she saw him stride through the temple. Not the fluttering in her chest whenever their gazes met. Not tightening in her throat whenever she contemplated losing him. Not the ache in her heart whenever she reminded herself that he was not for her.

Now that her magic had replenished itself, whenever she had a strong upwelling of emotion, she would get a sense of déjà vu. The few days she’d spent in the temple had been peppered with the uncanny sensation. She was lucky she’d not had another vision, given the tempestuous beast inside her.

“I hope to go home when all of this is done. I have people I need to save.”

“When we succeed, they’ll already be saved, Aurora. Would the people who love you begrudge you a lifetime of happiness in the here and now?”

She liked his optimism. It gave her hope that maybe he was right, that their task was not insurmountable. She’d not showed him what Drakon was capable of, not in the way she had for Theron, but she’d spoken in detail about his abilities. Given how dragons of legend were said to have grown, the Drakon of this time wouldn’t be quite so large. At least, she hoped as much.

If Drakon could be slain, would that save Phaedra and Silvanus in her time? Aurora wanted to hope so. It’s what Hyllus believed. In truth, she tried not to think about it too much. If she saved the future from the horrors of the cycle of calamity, her world might be as foreign to her as this one. Maybe Phaedra wouldn’t even know her. It was impossible to say. But would Phaedra begrudge her happiness, even if it meant they were separated? She didn’t know. She’d never seriously contemplated a life without Phaedra in it, and she suspected the same went for her friend. But if their roles were reversed, would Aurora want Phaedra to find happiness, even if it meant their separation? Yes.

But was there happiness to be found at Theron’s side? That was an altogether different question. Passion, to be sure. Happiness seemed a wild impossibility.

“No, but…he’s a king. He’ll need to find his queen and have heirs eventually. And he’ll be marrying soon, if the flow of history hasn’t already been altered. I don’t…I don’t think I could handle it if I acted on my…my feelings for him, and then had to watch him marry another. It already hurts so much.”

Hyllus took her hand in his and squeezed, his eyes tightening in sympathy.

“I know that pain well. But Aurora? Loving is never a waste. Never.”

He’d hinted at his loss but never spoken openly about it. Not in specific details, at least. She wondered at the woman he’d loved, who had loved him in return, and what had driven her to choose another.

“I wish I had your conviction. And your bravery.”

“Bravery isn’t fearlessness. You’re extremely brave, Aurora. Don’t ever forget it.”

She squeezed his hand back.

When she heard the ominous clack of boots marching through the temple, she turned around. Royal guards were streaming into the temple to the anger of Justice’s servants. The biscuits turned to rocks in her belly as the guards locked their eyes on hers and advanced. Hyllus took a step forward to shield her as the guards came to a stop before her.

“Aurora, you have been summoned to the royal court to face charges of being an agent of chaos and summoning monstrosities to attack the Viridian throne. Please come with me and face the charges.”

Aurora was stunned into silence by the accusation. Her? An agent of chaos? She’d spent days trying to warn people away from the monstrosities, and now she was accused of controlling them.

“Has your queen gone mad? Aurora is innocent!” Hyllus pronounced.

“Then she can defend herself in court.”

“This is an outrage! Is this your attempt to intimidate a victim of the royal guard and the indignities of the guest palace?” Hyllus protested, moving to fully stand before her.

“I am merely a messenger from the royal court, Avatar. And I must insist the accused answer the summons.”

“Then I’ll go as her escort.”

“I was under the impression only a paladin of Justice may accompany her to the palace.”

“You think the avatar of Justice unworthy to stand in place of a paladin?”

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