Chapter 12

I’d been sitting on the ground, staring at the statue of the Goddess for what was probably a good hour, simply finding peace and calm in the solace of the Temple after our earlier dinner.

The dinner had gone as expected. Silence filled the room, the only sounds the clanging of cutlery on the plates as we ate. Slaviya, true to character, blatantly refused to talk to Fyrel, settling for shooting him hateful looks from time to time, which he returned fiercely.

Early on in our marriage, Eliasson divulged that Slaviya had made no effort getting to know him or Fyrel while they were betrothed. Fyrel, already wary of the union, did not appreciate her attitude. Apparently there were many heated arguments surrounding her blatant disregard and lack of respect for them and for the Arloman culture, eventually resulting in Fyrel ignoring Slaviya completely and vice versa. It seemed rather petty to me. I had always wondered whether there was something more that had happened behind the scenes to cement his contempt for her.

I hadn’t thought it was possible for Fyrel to dislike someone more than me but alas it seemed the damage had been done and Slaviya solidified herself in the number one position. If I didn’t know better, I’d say Fyrel was thankful I was the one to marry Eliasson in the end. Not that he would ever admit it, of course.

Eliasson and I, on the other hand, had shot amused glances at one another, silently bonding as we took in the tension of the room. Clearly, we were both a little unhinged and taking way too much sadistic enjoyment in this form of entertainment.

Not for the first time, I began to wonder what mine and Eliasson’s life would have been like had the pieces not already been put in place. I felt a pang in my chest as I realised that we could have been happy together. Potentially a genuine love could’ve blossomed between us as we led the people of Arlom while a coven of blonde and brunette children ran around at our feet. Would our children have inherited his eyes or mine? Would their magic have turned their eyes a different shade, like mine? How would he have taken that?

I shook my head, clearing the thoughts from my mind. There was no point in lingering on a future that simply would not, could not come to fruition. It was times like these, I wished I could talk to Dwyla and tell her about the mission. Gain another perspective from someone who was not involved in it, and despite being the youngest, she had always been the stable one of the family. But I couldn’t. Not with Tarn in the picture. Nor would I want to place the burden of keeping this a secret on her. She was starting her final year in the Isles soon and had more than enough on her plate.

I rubbed my fingers over my forehead to smooth out the lines of worry I felt forming there. I was already exhausted, and the Forum hadn’t even begun.

I had forced my focus back onto the statue in front of me when I felt a familiar warmth and humming coming from my mark behind my ear. I felt the same knock on my mind’s door as before, asking for entrance. The instinct to respond was as natural as breathing, similar to how I called upon my magic to enhance my senses. I released the barrier between my brain and the rest of my body, allowing this presence to step inside the room of my mind.

As soon as my barrier was down, my eyes shut and I was back in the darkness where the outline of the male body was present. Glowing fuchsia eyes stared at me again. An overwhelmingly powerful force surrounded me. This couldn’t be ... no, it couldn’t be Merlot, the same man from the book, could it? It was an outlandish thought, but, if not him, then who? Who could hold this much power?

At the same moment, I heard a chuckle in my mind. Although I’m flattered, Green Eyes, I regret to inform that you’re not talking to the God Merlot. Delight shone in those fuchsia eyes.

I gasped. What was going on? Is this a figment of my imagination? But I found myself able to think, responding, One, how are you in my head right now? Two, where am I? And three, who are you?

We’re in a place referred to as the Lull. It’s a place that Queen Wystia and King Merlot created and sealed with their blood before their passing. It may only be accessed by the True Infinite. I take it you’re at the Temple of Wystia? he replied, decidedly ignoring two out of my three questions.

The Lull, True Infinite, Queen Wystia and King Merlot – head officially scrambled. How do you know where I am?

Until we’ve physically met, for the Lull to be initiated, you need to be at the Temple of Wystia and I need to be at a certain location, too. Before I could interrupt, he continued. To answer your other question, who I am isn’t important now. What’s important is that we’re finally connecting. It will make things easier moving forward. Desire filled those magnetic eyes.

Where are you? I asked, ignoring his sultry stare. The two men in my life already were proving to be too much.

That doesn’t matter, he dismissed.

Alright, let’s try a different avenue. What do you mean by True Infinite? What is that?

I could sense his whole body pause, his eyes growing bright in shocked disbelief. You don’t know what the True Infinite is?

Clearly, or I wouldn’t have bothered to ask, I snapped back, giving into my irritation and confusion.

What are they teaching you over there, he muttered disapprovingly.

While he seemed preoccupied mulling over his thoughts, an idea sprang to my mind. Narrowing my eyes in concentration, I channelled my fire to create light within the space we were in. If he wasn’t going to show me his appearance, I would force it.

But no light would come.

I wouldn’t bother, he laughed. My ire rose as the sound of his laughter released a barrage of unwanted feelings within me. It was the most beautiful sound I’d ever heard.

What are you doing to me? I demanded.

I’m not doing anything, Green Eyes. You’re in the Lull, a place fuelled by the mind, spirit and the stars. Your physical magic has no hold here.

Interesting. Are you in my mind? And, if you are, does that mean I’m in yours?

I saw the outline of his face cock to the side. Not quite. I called you, invited you to this place.

In that case, if I were to call you, I could invite you to this place?

It’s a bit more complicated than that. But for all intents and purposes, simply put, you would be able to.

So, how do I –

He cut me off, pre-empting my question, but you don’t have the powers required for that yet. Unfortunately for you, you’re stuck with me making the first move.

I couldn’t help the childish pout that formed on my face, which made him chuckle.

Patience, Green Eyes. You need to walk before you can run. Or, as was in your case, you needed to control your magic before you learnt to teleport.

How do you know so much about me? I decided there was no point in denying that he clearly knew more than I liked. Hell, I didn’t like that the man had the power to pull me to this Lull. Whatever this Lull is. There was nowhere for me to hide.

Knowledge finds those who are meant to see, Valare. His tone mimicked that of the Nyarellean woman’s.

My body went stiff. That’s not the first time I’ve heard someone say that, I whispered.

And it won’t be the last. Open your eyes, Valare. Seek the answers you require. They are closer to you than you realise. His body tensed as his eyes turned to his right, before settling back on mine. I have to go.

But –

His eyes somehow shone with disappointment, as though he wanted to stay as much as I wanted answers. Until we meet again, Green Eyes.