Page 62 of Heir of Broken Souls

“What else did the prophecy say?” Lenox asks, his eyes locked on mine as he seems to search for something.

Elysia repeats it for us all.

“With this prophecy, you shall find, all the answers you must hide.

Trust very few so as not to repeat, the treacheries that brought you to your knees.

All you seek lies beneath the tempestuous saltwater heap.

With guided fins comes the battle at dawn, that which you must survive.

For the future lies within the golden hands, which will raise the once sacred land.

Enter upon your discreet and all your answers will be at your feet.”

“I’m assuming the golden hands refer to Delilah,” Harlow says. “Doubt we can fulfill the prophecy without her.”

Shrugging, I look around the room helplessly. “I’m not sure how I’m supposed to raise land.”

“I think we cross that bridge when we arrive. More importantly, it talks about a battle at dawn on the seas.” Lenox steps forward into his new role of second. “We need to be prepared and well rested. Who is coming?”

“Is there anyone who doesn’t want to come?” Knox asks.

No one speaks up. He gazes around the room, moving from Fae to Fae until finally landing on Nolan with a sheepish grimace. “I apologize, you’ll be the only one left behind but you’re too valuable to take with us. We need someone here protecting our men and innocents, and I need someone to report back to me.”

“It’s all right, I understand.”

Elysia is pensive over our stunned expressions. She doesn’t realize how much of a rarity it is for Nolan to agree.

“Perhaps meet with Emory when you have the time. Everyone has heard of Delilah’s transformation. She might have some theories on why only Delilah’s magic can kill demonic creatures.”

I cock my head. “You think she’d have the answers?”

“It’s worth a shot.” Knox shrugs. “She’s felt your magic before when she aided us with the Phoenix Rising spell.”

The Phoenix Rising spell.

It feels like that occurred a lifetime ago. What I thought were the most challenging days of my life turned out to be just the beginning of an awful path filled with darkness and despair.

Hopefully wherever we sail to will usher in the beginning of the end.

“I’ll send word for her when I’m in the queen’s estate next. I believe she’s one of the many staying on the grounds.”

My heart pinches. “I’m glad she escaped the fall of Cardania.”

“The same can’t be said for many,” Nolan says thickly.

Lenox’s voice, still cold and emotionless, fills the room as he changes the subject. “I believe the next question is, which boat are we stealing?”

Harlow snaps open a pocket knife to clean her nails. “What the true question we should be asking is, what awaits us? Have we received anything else from the prophecy?”

Her last question is directed at Elysia.

“Would you like me to write it down so I can stop relaying the same two paragraphs like a fortune teller?”

Harlow freezes for a moment before she throws her head back with a deep belly laugh. “You can be a feisty little thing. It didn’t take you long to settle in at all.” She rolls her eyes, pointing the blade behind her, aiming it at me. “Took this one to have a mental breakdown and killing her father before she grew comfortable enough to piss me off.”

I openly gape. “Harlow!”