The witches clapped and cheered for Ivy, the youngest Priestess and possibly the kindest. Her doe eyes shimmered with tears as she smiled and bowed to the witches within her newly expanded charge. Brecan gave her a genuine smile as he stepped down from the platform, relinquishing his role as Priest of the House of Air.
When his feet hit the ground, the current of wind usually surrounding him died.
Ethne kissed each of the Priestesses’ cheeks before stepping down from the platform, gratefully accepting help from two young witches positioned near the base of the steps. She was aging faster than I would’ve thought possible. Days ago, she walked sprightly, but now her bones audibly creaked, her tendons stretched tight as she struggled not to fall. As she stepped off the last step, the once-brilliant fire within her robes faded and winked out.
Mira clasped Ivy’s hands and whispered something in her ear before descending the steps, the churning waves within her robes settling the moment her feet kissed the ground. She turned and searched the crowd for Arron, her eyes lighting when she found him in the back. Pushing her way through the crowd, Mira plowed heedlessly into his arms. For a moment, I wondered if he would accept her. But then he lifted her and spun her around, letting her pour her kisses over him.
Everyone applauded that, too. Omen covered her smile with a fist and leaned into me, a contented laugh bubbling from her.
Lyric sighed, “How beautiful it is when Fate dabbles in matters of the heart.” Her eyes slid between me and Omen.
Sky nodded her agreement, then her eyes sharpened on Brecan. He noticed her stare and fastened his lavender eyes on her stormy ones, lifting his chin. Brecan didn’t move to join her, but the two were locked in a battle of wills, one I was certain Brecan would lose.
Standing alone on the platform, Ivy lifted her hands in the air. With a murmur and a flick of her wrist, the once-proud Houses that crowned the pentagram and fanned out around the Center fell with a resounding clatter. Fire witches burned them to cinders, followed by Air witches blowing the ashes away. Water witches doused the land with nourishing rain as the Earth witches sprouted fresh green grass and a riotous carpet of blooms and blossoms in every shade.
Every witch surged his or her magic throughout Sector Thirteen as they set about building a new House, one to include them all.
Omen, at their behest, raised sturdy stones to support the House’s foundation.
Sable
I straightened my back and smoothed the skirts of my dark gown as the guards pulled the double doors open.
Tauren held my hand, our fasting ribbons brushing as we exited the palace through the front door. Gathered outside was an enormous crowd. They cheered and chanted their thanks…to me, to Tauren, to our son, and the witches in Sector Thirteen.
I could barely contain my heart as we waved and bowed, thanking them for coming, for letting us know that we lay in theirs.
Tauren addressed the Kingdom, the cameras capturing his every word and promise. There would be no more banishments. Depending on the crime, criminals would either be jailed or executed. There were innocent people outside the Kingdom’s border, people who shouldn’t have criminals thrust upon them.
“In order to right our wrongs, and in an attempt to make peace with those who would have it, we will begin a process to welcome people from The Wilds, who were not banished, good people, back into our borders.”
The people nodded and pursed their lips. Some raised hands in honor of their king. But as we left them with hope and our decree, they chanted my name.
“See?” Tauren said smugly as the doors closed behind us in the foyer. “They needed to see the heart of their kingdom.”
“You are their heart, Tauren. You always have been.”
He smiled. “And you consume it, so you’re their heart, as well,” he breathed, gathering me in a tight hold and kissing me breathless.
35
Omen
As Lindey and I had a private dinner in the room River insisted was mine, she told me about the Smith’s deception. Judith had lured her from the house by telling her I was in danger, that I’d gone to the river to leave with the boy. That I was going with him to live in the Kingdom. Her fear had blinded her, and she ran to the river. Sebastian was waiting, and once she stepped foot outside the ward line, he used some sort of sparkling, spelled dust to subdue her.
She wasn’t sure if she had ever been in the Kingdom, as the witches believed, but did see Edward’s brother Mason. She swam in and out of consciousness, but every time she surfaced, Sebastian would use his dust, though never in view of his father.
Then one morning, he woke her in a panic. He shook her awake, telling her the village was under attack, that we had to run toward the Kingdom’s wall to seek asylum. He told her I was there, in Sector Thirteen, waiting. He promised to take her to me and spirited her close to the border, helping her run as the world exploded. The banished were all around her and she was terrified – terrified she wouldn’t make it to me in time, and terrified there were too many of the banished to fight off.
She and I cried and held one another’s hands as I told her how the story unfolded from my perspective. By the time I finished, she was so angry that if Sebastian or Edward were still alive, she would have wrung their necks.
“Did you ever have any idea they were building an army?” I asked.
She shook her head. “Never. I just enjoyed my time with you. A time I know is now coming to an end.” She pursed her quivering lips together.
“You will always be my mother, Lindey. I’ll always need you in my life.”
She let out a strangled cry, hugging me and sobbing into my shoulder. “I love you, Omen.”
“As I love you.”
My fingers twisted into her shirt. I loved her so much and was glad she was safe. I thanked Fate – again and again and again – for bringing us out of the battle, victorious.
Later that evening, someone knocked on my door. I went to see who it was, surprised to see River. He smiled brightly. “There’s someone I’d like you to meet.”
River didn’t explain. He clasped my hand and led me down the corridors, his steps swift and excited.
“Who is it?” I asked.
“You’ll see.”
We came to a door and he knocked twice. The cries of a baby escaped as he opened it. His mother and father stood next to Knox, who held a tiny infant in his arms. His wife, Leah, had given birth. She lay in the bed, smiling up at her husband and son.
I wasn’t sure this was a moment I should intrude on. My feet turned to lead.
“Omen,” Leah said. Though dark-haired and beautiful, she looked absolutely spent. “Please come in.”
Sable smiled and nodded.
River tugged me into the room, and I melted when I saw the baby swaddled in a soft blue blanket. The small boy was red-faced with damp hair plastered to his head. Knox brought him closer. “You can hold him if you’d like. We all have,” he teased happily.
I reached my hand out, brushing a knuckle across his delicate skin, soft as silk. “He’s perfect,” I told them. “I’d love to hold him.”
Knox gently placed him in my folded arms, and I smiled as the babe opened his eyes and tried to focus on my face. “Awww,” I cooed. “Aren’t you handsome?” I looked to Leah and Knox. “What is his name?”
Leah answered, “Owen Tauren Nautilus.”
My heart swelled. They’d chosen to honor River’s father, Knox’s big brother, and the name fit the newborn perfectly. “Absolutely precious,” I gushed as the baby clung to my outstretched finger.
River beamed proudly and I felt honored to be part of such a heartwarming moment. Grateful that River had come for me.
I wasn’t sure where we stood. I knew I couldn’t live in the palace forever, but my home was ruined. The House of Affinities was nearly completed and would be dedicated a
t the Equinox, as the witches held a special Celebration of Unity.
Would I live there? Would Lindey come with me? And what of River?
What of us?
The following day, Mira and Sable knocked on the door of the room I was staying in, Mira cradling a sparkling white gown in her arms. She winked as she entered. “We’ve been busy making dresses for this occasion, and you, my dear, will be a star in the evening sky.”
Tonight, the palace would celebrate our victory. Every person in the boundary was invited to attend. Many would come. Entertainment would be set up all around and inside the palace for all to enjoy – witch and non.
The women breezed past me and Sable smirked. “I know it’s overwhelming and she’s bossy, but she’s really good at what she does. Trust me on that one.”
I was told to shower and get dressed in my robe, then I was slathered with thick, dewy lotion that made my skin glow. Mira combed, dried, and curled my hair with electric blowers and wands, finishing the transformation by powdering my face and shading my eyelids.
When I was finally given permission to look in the mirror, I didn’t recognize the person gazing back at me. This person was luminous and radiant. Even her cheekbones shone. Her bowed lips were the color of currants, while her dark hair was twisted like silken ribbons.
Sable smiled into the mirror, bracing her hands on the back of my chair. “Told you so.”
Waving for me to come and dress, Mira and Sable helped me into the glittering gown. It was surprisingly comfortable, with a swath of sheer fabric that draped off the shoulder, supported by an iridescent sequined bodice. Additional bands of sheer fabric, layers and layers of chiffon, according to Mira, cascaded from my waist to the floor in airy tiers.
She’d brought shoes with swords in the heels. “I can’t wear those,” I warned.
Mira waved me off. “Sure you can. Everyone can with some practice.”
I practiced, wobblily walking back and forth across the room several times until finally, Mira walked up to me and plucked the shoes off my feet herself. “You’ll break your neck, Omen. No shoes for you.”
I’d never been so relieved.
I was already nervous. What would River think when he saw me in this dress? He was used to seeing me in scratchy linen, not chiffon, and certainly nothing that clung to my body this way.
Sable smiled wistfully at me. “You remind me of someone I once knew.”
I swallowed. “The Daughter of Fate?”
She nodded. “I was an outcast among witches, so coming here was shocking, to say the least.”
“Then we have a lot in common,” I said, trying to smile.
Sable gave me a motherly smile. “You are no outcast here. Nor anywhere else.” I swallowed thickly, appreciating her words more than I could say. “River is already waiting outside.”
My heart leapt. “Outside the palace, or outside this room?”
“This room,” she laughed.
I rushed to the door and opened it to find him pacing the hallway. As soon as he heard the door open, he paused and looked me over. I felt every inch of my skin heat and pebble at his heated appraisal.
“Omen,” he breathed, and then he spirited to the door, bumping into me. “I misjudged the distance,” he said with an ornery smile.
I laughed and pulled his head down so my lips could reach him. Standing on the tips of my toes, I kissed him again and again, until Arron appeared next to us and let out a startled curse.
“I hate to interrupt – again – but your father is waiting for you and your mom.” He peered into my room just as Sable emerged, placing a crown on her head. Mira held another out for River, who put it on.
Seeing him standing there in his black tailored suit with a dark metal crown on his brow made my stomach turn a somersault. “You look so handsome,” I told him, brushing a strand of dark hair back under the metal circlet.
He was just about to say something when Arron clamped a hand on our shoulders and spirited us to the ballroom.
River
Musicians played softly in the corner while witches and non-witches mingled, the palace kicking off what would be weeks of celebrations throughout the Sectors. My parents launched the festivities by striding to the middle of the ballroom and dancing, then everyone joined in.
I placed my hand on the small of Omen’s back. “Would you dance with me?”
She swallowed nervously. “I don’t know how.”
I quirked a brow. “You danced with Sebastian. He enjoyed it immensely, as I recall hearing,” I teased.
“He didn’t dance like this,” she declared, gesturing to the swaying couples arrayed across the floor.
“He danced sloppily, if I remember your words correctly.” I smiled. Placing a soft kiss on her forehead, I begged, “Please?” Truthfully, I couldn’t care less about dancing, but wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to hold her in my arms.
She nodded and let me lead her onto the floor. As we did, the song transitioned to a piece that swelled with violin strings, and we moved slowly back and forth to their cadence. I rested our clasped hands over my heart, and she rested her head against my chest. The scent of her settled me. She was safe, in my arms, in my home.
But did she want this life?
I realized during the attack to defend my home that I loved Nautilus and her people. Any lingering doubts about becoming her king was erased, along with those who threatened her.
In addition, I loved Omen, my soul-mated. But if she didn’t want to wear a crown, I would give mine up for her.
Competing thoughts raced through my mind. It was summer now, but the season was giving way to autumn, and autumn would give way to winter. At the Winter Solstice, we could hand-fast. If she would accept me.
“Your heart is thundering,” she noted, lifting her ear from my chest with a lazy smile.
“I’m sorry.” Busted.
“What are you thinking about?” Her silvery eyes studied mine intently.
“I’m thinking about how much I love you,” I told her honestly. “And that whatever future you choose, I hope you include me in it.”
She smiled. “I was hoping you wanted a future with me in it, too.”
“How could I not?”
Omen smiled, then glanced over my shoulder and giggled. I looked back to see Sky dancing with Brecan.
“She’s wearing him down,” she pronounced wryly.
“Like water through rock,” I added. “She’ll wear all the way through, given enough time.”
Omen laughed, a musical, tinkling sound that stretched straight to my heart. She reached into a hidden pocket and plucked out her hag stone. “Mira made sure I had pockets.”
“She’s the best,” I told her.
Omen nodded, then looked down at the stone, her brow furrowing. “River,” she began, hesitating. My stomach dropped when she glanced toward Lindey, who chatted with my grandmother, my departed grandfather hovering close by. “I’m not sure how to say it, so I’m just going to blurt it out.”
My heart felt stretched too tight, like it might tear down the middle.
“Will you hand-fast to me?” She blinked up at me innocently, hopefully.
Stunned into silence, her hopeful look slid into one of concern before I calmed all her fears with a smoldering kiss. “I was going to ask you the same thing.”
She smiled and kissed me again.
Reaching into my pocket, I slid a gold and peridot ring onto the ring finger of her left hand. Non-witches wore wedding bands there, and though witches didn’t marry, the ring looked like it belonged on her hand. “What’s this?” she asked, holding it up so she could examine it in the dim light provided by the candlelit chandeliers.
“It’s the ring my grandfather made for my grandmother. I want you to have it.”
Omen gasped, her eyes shini
ng. “But I thought you lost it!”
I smiled, unable to resist her radiant expression. “Arron found my cloak in The Wilds after I went missing. It was still in the inner pocket. I’ve been carrying it around, waiting for the right moment to talk to you about…us.”
“Thank you,” she said, tears shimmering in her eyes. “Are you sure?”
“I’ve never been surer of anything in my life,” I whispered, pulling her in for a hug.
We approached Lindey and Grandmother as they chatted about gardening and were soon joined by Mom and Dad. Since we were all together, I thought it might be a good time to tell them about our hand-fasting.
“Omen and I have an announcement,” I began.
Dad’s crown raised with his brows. “What’s that, son?”
Omen squeezed my hand encouragingly.
“We’ve decided to hand-fast at the next Solstice.”
Lindey planted her hands over her mouth and cried. My dad clapped me on the back and congratulated us both. Mom just laughed. “You’re soul-mated,” she declared. “You don’t have to hand-fast. You were made for one another, destined to spend a lifetime together, not just a year.”
I looked at Dad’s ribbon, then at Omen’s bare wrist. “I think it’s a good idea to earn her love year by year, instead of assuming I have a right to it.”
Omen’s silvery eyes glowed with affection. Lindey pointed to her, chiding, “And you must earn his too, young lady.”
36
Omen
Judith Smith was hanged at midnight from the gallows in Sector Thirteen. Only River, Sable, Tauren, and my sisters and I attended. Sable offered to end her life, but I was the one who claimed it.
“Why did you bother giving me my mother’s warning?” I asked before placing the noose around her neck.
“I couldn’t rest until I wrote it down. The words haunted me.”
The Omen of Stones Page 29
