Page 133 of Salt in the Seas
So… Malvinia, you seek revenge.The sprite’s voice carried through Aeliana’s mind without a mouth to project its words.
“My sister died at the hand of a Wyndren priestess,” the young woman said. “I took my last breath with her. Now my bones rot, andby the light of the moon, poison breeds in my blood. I spread my poison and let it brew until I can repay the debt.”
The sprite gave its awful slow blink, leaving a film behind that still made Aeliana cringe even though she knew it was only a vision of the distant past. The creature cocked its head but made no response, so the woman continued.
“The time for that revenge has come.” She pressed her face to the earth once more and waited several long moments.
The sprite hummed its interest, its voice carrying through the cavern.So you wish us to curse the family? That is a significant request.
“My life is already forfeit.” The woman’s voice came out muffled but certain. “Take it as your price.”
The sprite blinked once more, the film receding. Aeliana grew tense as the silence wore on, a part of her hoping the sprite might refuse, even though this is what she had come to hear.
A scream echoed in the distance, but neither the woman nor the sprite reacted, making Aeliana realize it was coming from the Seer’s Sanctuary. She resisted the urge to leave the vision, knowing this was the information she needed most.
The sprite’s words dripped with its pleasure.Very well. A curse of the moon. A shadow of the Sun’s light. Death bought by lifeblood.The sprite’s wings beat faster, and Aeliana’s heart sped up with them.For the loss of your sister, the Wyndren sisters will pay. Each?—
The roar of a battle cry erupted around Aeliana, nearly pulling her from Lady Merinnia’s vision. She fought to ignore it, wincing as critical words from the curse were lostto whatever danger was unfolding in the room.
—cursed for their crime. A love, born of blood, doomed to wither by unfounded contempt. Where love might triumph, pride will prevail. Pain will be shared, heartache doubled. The relief of death will evade them, for their destiny is to watch the light leave each other’s eyes. Until?—
Screams erupted around Aeliana and her vision flickered, the dim outline of the sanctuary walls replacing the darkness of the sprite’s cavern. Chaos ensued as her friends turned on each other with confusion and mistrust in their eyes.
“No,” she whispered, closing her eyes. “Show me the rest.”
She sensed Lady Merinnia’s pleasure as the vision returned, but the sprite was no longer speaking. Instead, a flutter of wings filled Aeliana’s ears, and dozens of sprites came forward as if they’d been embedded in the cavern’s very walls. Their hands reached out, clawing at the dirt near the woman’s feet, the ground opening up unnaturally fast until a grave lay before her.
The blood-red sprite’s cheeks lifted with its invisible smile, and Aeliana shuddered along with the young woman.You’ve made your choice and received your prize. Now for the price.To the young woman’s credit, she sat straighter, closing her eyes but lifting her chin as though offering her neck to the sprite.
“I am ready,” she whispered.
A chorus of hums rang out before the woman was shoved in the hole. She cried out as dirt rained down on her, then fell silent as the sprites buried her alive. The soft dirt grew hard as they patted it down, and a small patch of flowers rose from the grave’s center, just like Aeliana’s daisies so often did.
She shrank away from it.
As the vision faded, a small emerald sprite materialized before the ruby one who’d made the deal. The green sprite held out its hands in wonder, and the red gave it a regal nod.
So be it.
This time when the sanctuary walls came into focus, Aeliana knew her chance for the truth was over.
From the center of the circle, Lady Merinnia collapsed against the chair, her head falling into her hands as she let out a moan. Aeliana blinked in confusion as her friends all seemed to turn on one another. Cries rang out as Sylmar and Velden rushed forward, attempting to separate Iris and Holm, who wrestled on the rock floor, blood spilling between them. But Iris gave one last thrust, and Holm let out a pained final gasp.
Aeliana thought she caught an apology on his lips before his eyes turned glassy.
“No,” Aeliana cried, rushing forward. The magic in her blood stirred in response, pulling in power from her starlock, preparing to heal. But her healing skills had weakened, and he looked far too still.
Gaeren grabbed her waist and pulled her back against his chest. “It’s too late, Daisy,” he whispered, his voice hoarse.
Velden yanked Iris back, knocking the dagger from her hands. She made no effort to resist, her own sobs echoing throughout the cavern, her blubbering indistinguishable.
“Where did you even get a weapon?” Velden asked, his voice cold with accusation.
“It’s mine,” Nori whispered. “She must have pulled it off me when I was receiving my vision.”
The battle that had seemed to encompass everyone was over, and Aeliana realized it had only ever been between Iris and Holm. Everyone else’s faces held the same shock she felt. Gaeren loosened his hold, likely sensing she’d come to terms with the futility of her efforts to save their friend.
“What happened?” Sylmar demanded.
