Page 83 of Legacy of the Heirs
“Not the only fight.”
Elisara clenched her jaw, glaring at Vala as the gods resumed their riddles. She caught Caellum’s eye, his gaze still red-rimmed after watching his siblings’ demise. His tense stance matched hers, though she expected for another reason as he glanced at the hands on her shoulders. Vala had announced Elisara’s relationship with Kazaar to them all, though insinuated far more had happened between them. Elisara wondered if the gods truly sensed their odd sharing of power—the tendrils of shadow invading Elisara and the twists of light infiltrating Kazaar. The gods had offered nothing to explain what that power was or why they had it.
“More riddles.” Nyzaia leaned back in her chair and furrowed her brow. “Answer us plainly: what should wedo?”
“Prepare for war—”
“More swords—”
“Blood of the tied—”
“Watch for the lies.”
Elisara rubbed her forehead. Until this point, everything in the prophecy that made sense had unfolded, but as they sat together and listened to the gods, it was the first time she felt doubtful. The group possessed all from Ithyion and had called upon the gods, but this did little to help them like the prophecy proclaimed it would. War had driven their families from Ithyion all those years ago; it felt inevitable that history should repeat itself in some form. While Elisara knew their blood paralysed the creatures, how could the Sword of Sonos be replicated?
“What more can you tell us of the Sword of Sonos?” Kazaar asked.Elisara ignored Vala’s glare as Kazaar spoke yet noticed Keres failing to contain his chuckle.
“A sword—”
“Can be many things—”
“A weapon—”
“A trap.”
Soren sighed and banged her head against the wall, and for the first time since knowing her, Elisara could finally relate.
“The sword can kill—”
“The sword can take—”
“The sword can wield—”
“A flash of light; a twist of shadows.”
Elisara angled her head to glance at the Sword of Sonos by Kazaar’s side, remembering the way both light and darkness twisted around his hands when he wielded it—something only she could see.
“The sword can slumber—”
“The sword can awaken—”
“The wielder can take them—”
“The wielder can make them.”
Elisara turned the words over in her mind, offering only ambiguity and more questions they would be left to find the answers to.
Chapter Forty-Six
Soren
Soren was not a patient person, but as she listened to the jumbled snippets of information falling from the gods’ lips, the limits of her patience were pushed to a new extreme. The only saving grace throughout the torture was her god’s confirmation that she was the rightful heir to the throne. Garridon had immediately sought Soren and Sadira when he arrived, ignoring Caellum altogether. Soren saw it even in his physical appearance: the same blonde hair and green eyes, the air of determination; she had noticed every pointed stare and sideways glance when he thought she was not looking.
She wondered what the Lord of Night would say if he knew she had met the gods, or his thoughts as to why Vala had called Kazaar a ‘night child.’ It sparked something in Soren. She had much to tell him while silently picking apart her thoughts on the sidelines while staring at Caellum’s back. His hand was permanently intertwined with her sister’s.
Refocusing on the group, she caught Garridon staring at her, frowning. Each of the other gods stood in front of their descendants, assessing them. Caellum’s head remained bowed while Sadira stared up at Garridon, who only had eyes for Soren. He was quieter than the others, revealing less of his personality. Vala appeared to be the angriest of the group, and Keres the most mischievous. Nerida, much like Larelle, was the most level-headed, yet Garridon was thoughtful and assessing.
What if I am a disappointment to him, too?Soren thought. Looking away, Garridon glanced between his siblings to check theywere not watching, igniting Soren’s panic.What if he doubts my strength as heir? What if I have not proved myself?Her conversations with the Lord of Night flitted through her memory and the urgency with which he commanded Soren to take the throne, the same urgency pressed on her by Lord Ryon when she feigned being in control of the situation.
