Page 226 of Eldritch
“I do, yes.”
“Then, you should go.”
“You and Aleysia can’t cross the…boundary to where he lives.” Considering he seemed to struggle with the acceptance and possibility of another world, I remained careful with my words. “To go with him, I’d be leaving you behind.”
“This is our world, Maevyth.” Surely, it must’ve been the alcohol talking. “It’s the only one we’ve ever known.”
“I didn’t think you believed in other worlds.”
“I didn’t.” His brows pulled together as he stared off. “But nothing of this world could’ve fought those creatures back at thechurch. And we lived. Because of him. Because of you and your…abilities. We defied evil.” He raised his wine and tipped back a sip. “From the time you came into our family, I worried that our world, our hatred of others, would destroy you. I’m proud to be your father. And I’m glad The Red God chose our family to raise you. I want you to go where your heart leads you. Aleysia and I will be just fine.”
Through more tears, I glanced up to see her resting her head against a Lyverian man’s chest, as she slowly swayed with him. “Will the two of you be safe here?”
“Far safer than Foxglove ever was. The Lyverians are far more accepting than we are. I betrayed their priestess, told Moros where to find the vivicantem. It resulted in the slaughter of her people, and still, they’ve accepted us. Tended to our wounds. She has forgiven me, in spite of my wretched betrayal.”
“You are good, Father.”
“I want to be. Which is why I’m urging you to lead with your heart. Promise me you will.”
“I promise.”
From across the pyre, the priestess stared back at us.
“The somnial, is this similar to our solstice celebration?” I asked.
“In some ways yes. The somnial pays homage to the gods. It’s become exceptionally important for the Lyverians in recent years. They believe their inability to rise from death is their penance. Your presence gives them hope.”
“I’m not interested in birthing an entire generation. I’m not meant to be a vessel.”
“Perhaps not. Or perhaps Morsana has chosen another fate for you.”
As though privy to our conversation, the priestess rose to her feet and waved her hand toward me. “It is time we seek the vein and learn what blessings, or curses, our future holds.”
The jagged edges of the dead vein pressed against my back, as I lay outstretched with my arms and legs bound by chains. Staring up at the sky left me wondering if Raivox might’ve been up there, looking down right then. If he was, the position in which I’d been placed certainly didn’t look all that friendly.
Beneath me, chalked onto the black stones, was a strange symbol that I’d come to learn was associated with Deimos. At the edge of the vein, at least five meters above where I lay, stood the villagers, all peering down at me with curious eyes.
I trailed my gaze over them, in search of Zevander, but only found Father, Corwin and Aleysia, whose worried expressions told me they weren’t entirely at ease with the plan.
“The vein is, in fact, dead, is it not?” A chuckle died in my throat, when the priestess gave a sharp tug of the chain.
“For centuries.”
“Good. And you’re not secretly capable of reigniting it?”
“Only a god can reignite a vein. Once dead, a vein remains dead.”
“That’s a relief.”
“We will summon Deimos. If he spares you, the prophecy bears no truth. If he doesn’t, you will burn.”
I swallowed past the lump in my throat. “And you intend to summon him? Why not just allow him to show on his own, if he’s so determined.”
The priestess raised a brow, tightening the binds at my feet. “Do you fear his judgment?”
“Of course not. I’m perfectly confident.” Again, I searched the crowd for Zevander, trying to decide if I preferred him there, or not.
“Very well, let’s begin.” She turned toward the crowd of villagers and raised her hands. “From the time our ancestors arrived in the mortal lands, centuries ago, we have guarded this vein.” Her voice echoed through the deep trench. “We mean the Vasmora no harm. Fate has shown two paths—one of birth and life, one of sablefyre and death. Morsana will choose. As her humble servants, we will accept whichever our beloved goddess decides.”
