Chapter 18

GOLL

"What do you mean? Of course she's the one."

Dalya sat across from me in my study. Her dark brows pinched together. "It is hard to tell for certain."

I scoffed impatiently. "She has the mark. Her black wings, Dalya. Surely, it is the sign of the female faeling in your vision."

She dipped her head in agreement. "That is a sign, Sire. It is simply difficult to know for certain until the prophecy is actually fulfilled."

"Then we won't know until the Rite of Servium." I tapped two clawed fingers on my wooden desk.

She clasped her slender hands in her lap. "Are you sure this is the right course, Sire?"

"I'm positive. After the ceremony, I'll get an heir off Una, a high-born heir with the purest royal bloodlines of dark and light fae. Our union will solidify my right to reign over both kingdoms."

Dalya grimaced then quickly smoothed her features. I wasn't sure why this thought disturbed her. It could be because I was forcing a female to do my bidding, become my concubine, something my father would've done.

"You were certain before, I don't understand your doubt now."

"I apologize, Sire. I do not mean to make you doubt."

"I have none at all. It's just unusual for you to second guess a vision or premonition."

She bowed her head, brow pinched.

"How is Ferryn?" I abruptly changed the subject.

Her eyes lifted and she blinked away whatever thoughts clouded her mind about my mizrah. "He is doing well."

"He hasn't needed any more healing treatments since his return, has he?"

"No, Sire," she said quickly. "He has fully recovered from the rite."

I was slightly concerned that he was suffering nightmares from his experience, thinking he may have fractured under the pressure of the rite in the cave to join my Culled. I didn't think too hard that the main reason I had wanted him to heal fully from the experience had little to do with my concern for my cousin and more to do with my fear for the Rite of Servium. My fear for Una.

"Are you sure you want to put her through the rite?" she asked, as if she knew where my thoughts were.

"You believe me cruel for doing so."

She blinked quickly in surprise. "I would never rebuke you, my king. Nor question your decisions. I am your faithful servant." She dipped her gaze to her lap in submission.

Heaving a sigh, I leaned back in my giant wingback chair. "Dalya. You are not simply my High Oracle. You are also one of my oldest friends. You helped me rise to power. Do not fear that I will punish you for being truthful with me."

She kept her gaze on her lap, but another frown pinched her brow before she finally met my gaze, her bright golden eyes filled with emotion.

"Every mizrah of this kingdom before her has willingly taken the Rites of Servium. But Una Hartstone is being forced to. She may not live through it, sire. Are you prepared to risk her life?"

That knot that had been slowly twisting since we'd arrived at the palace tightened that much more. "She will not die."

"She could."

"Not if she is the one you saw in your vision, Dalya." I leaned forward, lacing my fingers tightly on the desk before me. I kept tight control on my temper, for I felt it burning hotter. "I realize you have doubts. But I do not. She is meant to be at my side and help me raise Northgall, the leader of the dark fae, above all other realms. It is our time to rule the world, and Una is key in making that happen. She is mine and will be my mizrah."

By the end, my voice was gruff with aggression. I heard her, but she was wrong. I was sure of it. I'd only ever been surer of one thing—to slay my father and take his kingdom from him, to guide us into a brighter future.

Una would not die in the waters of N?kt Lykenzel. If she survived bathing in the black pool beneath the palace, then she was indeed fated to be mine. I must have faith in the signs and the prophecy and the gods. No matter Dalya's doubts. This was a truth I felt bone-deep.

Dalya dipped her head in obedience yet again. "Does she know what will happen during the Rite of Servium?"

"I thought it would be best coming from you."

"I see."

"Shall we have a divination before we go to her?" I opened my drawer, reaching for the small dagger I typically used when Dalya scried my future. She always needed blood to open her oracle gift.

"Not today, Sire. I think it best I go to your mizrah and speak to her."

It had been many weeks since her last divination, the last one right before Hava appeared that night and told me that the princess was my father's new prisoner. But Dalya was right; I didn't need a new prophecy right now, not as urgently as Una must know what is to come in two nights' time.

"She is in the garden now," I said. "Will you prepare her for what will happen? What is expected of her?"

She stood with me and bowed her head. "Of course, Sire."

Heaving a breath, I walked Dalya to the garden. This exchange between Dalya and Una might very well send my mizrah into a terror and hatred of me that could not be undone.