Page 126 of Queen’s Gambit

‘For you, maybe, but this insolent child threatened to burn my servant and her marshes,’ Jurata said.

‘Your servant blocked my way for no reason other than to be obtuse. The battle would’ve ended before my army arrived. My apologies, my lady. I did what was needed to banish Tangra from your shores,’ I answered, dragging myself to my feet. If they were going to judge me, I would face it standing proud.

‘So? What is my penance?’ I asked, looking at the Leshy as he edged towards me.

‘Such impatience from the Elderblood child. I should’ve expected this after my followers raised your statue in the bone cave,’ Jurata said, floating closer. ‘The Songstress who soothed the sea for a dying man. Who permitted you to encroach on my domain?’

‘Are you talking about Jagon?’ I asked, recalling his last moments.

Water flowed from her hand to my chin, lifting my face. ‘Therein lies the problem. How does one punish mercy?’ She stared into my eyes while the water caressed my throat. ‘I want to hear this song. I want to know why my name is whispered in the same breath as the Songstress.’

‘And if I sing for you? Will you let me live?’ I whispered.

Jurata moved away, and the pressure on my throat vanished. She didn’t confirm or deny my request, but what else could I do?

Bitterness filled my mouth. Was I to lose another part of myself, bargaining for my life with my mother’s songs?

Then Rey’s words came back to me—his belief in me, his love.

When I opened my mouth, my song was one of mourning. I lamented the woman who simply wanted to live but was given impossible choices and did unspeakable things.

The whispers in my head, the unwanted power—it all flowed out. Lily’s suffering, Tova’s death, and Irsha’s rejection were each strands woven into a song that broke the dam of my grief, releasing tears that fell to the ground.

A woman who lost herself so others might live.

The raging sea quietened, the waves responding to my melody, and when the last word faded away, I opened my eyes. Jurata held a hand to her chest and gazed at me, her expression impossible to read.

‘You’ve grown so much, little Vila, but in too short a time. I am sorry, child.’ The sadness in her tone was genuine, even though I didn’t understand why she turned to the others and nodded. ‘She’ll do.’

‘It means you cannot remain here. Those who ascend must leave. That’s the law which governs us all,’ Veles said. His power washed over me, solidifying into manacles on my wrists. ‘Your influence on this world has become unrestrained. We waited, we watched, but when you dragged the dwarf from behind the Veil, even the Leshy knew your human life had ended.’

‘The dwarf’s name is Tova, and he shut down the Gate that drained this land of Aether. He saved us all. He saved you!’ I challenged, lifting my chin. I let my magic pool around the ebony tendrils. The god of death tilted his head but let my magic burn through his restraints.

‘You’d fight me?’

‘No, but I don’t agree to this. I’ll take the consequences…’

‘I’ll fight you!’ The roar was followed by a gust of wind that sent me flying, my body crashing into the Leshy. My grandfather caught me and turned away, sheltering me from the whirlwind of air and flame that was Cinared.

His claws smashed into the opening, but he couldn’t push inside. His massive body was wedged in the entrance, even so, he kept trying.

‘There will be no consequences. Sana is mine!’

Jurata’s eyes widened, and she glanced at me. ‘You’re bonded to him?’ Her expression tightened with fear. Yes, Cin was an eldritch dragon, but she was a goddess. Why would a god fear anything at all?

Cracks split the grotto’s roof, sending a shower of rubble crashing down. The threat of being buried alive gave me strength. The Leshy released his hold as I stumbled towards my dragon.

‘Cin, stop. Please, stop; you’ll injure your wings,’ I cried, reaching out to stroke his head.

‘I don’t care. I’ll crawl like a lizard, but I won’t let them take my heart!’

‘Cinared Fireborn, stop this nonsense!’ I shouted as I slapped his snout. ‘Think of Rey. He can’t lose us both.’

‘I am thinking of him. His mind is trapped in a dream, but he’s calling your name.’ The dragon faced the trio of gods. ‘You think I’ll let this happen again? You were no different than her, and now you dare to judge?’

Heat poured from his body until the surrounding rock was melted enough for him to push forward.

‘Cin, what are you saying?’ I asked, but he didn’t look at me. His amber eyes, burning with fury, stared down the gods.