As we stand there, the pulsing crystal slowing down, I see something. A vision.
I'm in a dark room filled with shadows. I can hear whispers all around me, but I can't make out what they're saying. Suddenly, a light pierces through the darkness, and I can see a figure standing in front of me. It's the king, Teo.
"Estela," he says, his voice echoing through the room as he raises his arms, as if to embrace me. That same impulse to reject him flares, but I have no control over my actions. I step into his arms, and the beauty of the song between us is almost unbearable.
There is a distinct heat between my legs and a dampness that makes my skin tight and my breath hitch.
“Te amo1,”he whispers in my human tongue. Telling me he loves me as his large, calloused hands stroke over my arms.
I don’t know why we are in a court before others. This moment should be between us. But then, the crystal on his chest starts to grow, and mine follows. It as if I am sucked into his magic, lost to both my vision and him.
The mountain comes alive around me. The mountain rumbles as if it is a living being. Fire erupts from the ground and tears through the sky, lighting up the world in shades of red and orange. I am bathed in the warm glow, and I feel as if I am part of the earth itself.
Suddenly, the vision ends, and I am back in the chamber with Liana. I am breathing heavily, my hands shaking as they grip onto the fabric of her robe.
“What was that?” I ask her, unable to take my eyes off the crystal.
She frowns, studying me intently. "It is a sign that you are meant to be our queen. The Fuegorra has chosen you to be one of its wise women, like me.” Her face brightens, like the moment a match is struck. “We must tell the king.” I am still reeling over how it felt to be held by Teo. It was much more intense than the faint inklings we’ve had up to this point.
For the first time, I realize that, in my carelessness, I had forgotten about Mikal. Guilt returns, and I freeze up.
Liana notices, “What is wrong?”
My eyes start to burn. “The first vision I had was of my brother. He was sleeping, but alive, back in Zlosa.”
She pauses. “You still wish to be with him. Don’t you see? This crystal will help.”
That does it. Tears stream down my face. After endless days in this space under the mountain, I finally have a plan. Something I can do to help me get back to my brother.
I look up at her, unsure how to ask for help. I have spent my whole life doing things mostly alone. “Will you…” I trail off.
Her expression is soft as she lays a hand on my shoulder. “I will teach you how to use the Fuegorra.” Then she smiles, a wild, pointy-teeth grin. “But only with a few conditions.”
My stomach drops into my ass. “What do you mean?”
Without warning, she draws me into her, effectively hugging me. “We all have duties under the mountain. The contract said you would find one as soon as you healed. You look lovely and healthy to me, so if you wish to learn to use this with me, then you will find one.” She must feel me tense because she continues, “This is not about slavery, young one. You were right, our people are few in number, which means we must all pull our weight. If someone does not go hunting, we all starve. I promise you that there will be no pain. I just want you to get to know the people, to let their actions speak for who we are.”
I pull back and look up at her, wiping my eyes. She smiles down at me, gentle and beautiful.
“I will do it,” I say.
I step back from her. “No! I don’t wish to be near him.”
She raises an eyebrow. “Do you go back on your word so quickly?”
Heat creeps up my neck. “No.” It is a painful, shameful moment for me.
She holds out her hand. “I am an old woman. Who knows how much time I have left in this rocky world? If you want me to pass down my knowledge, I get to be demanding.”
I chew on my lip. “Fine. We will go.” It does not matter.
Liana takes my hand and leads me back down the hallway towards the throne room. The vision of Teo and the powerful feelings it evoked are still fresh in my mind, making my heart race and my body ache. I wonder if he felt the same intensity that I did or if it was all just a part of his power over me.
As we enter the council room, I find the king sitting atop a deep grey-stone throne. Rigid power leaks off him, accented by the crumbling bits of rock on either side of the otherwise pristine room.
Teo sits proudly—stoically, even—surrounded by his advisors. One of them, a woman I’ve seen watching him during meals stares at him with unbridled emotion. Her forlorn gaze causes acid to pool in my stomach. He breaks away from her as we approach, his eyes locking onto mine. The intensity of his gaze is almost overwhelming, forcing me to avert my eyes. It’s like he can see right through me, like he knows my every thought and feeling.
He does not look gentle or happy. He looks like he wishes he would never look upon me again. I don’t know how I can recognize it, but he looks far colder than I have ever seen him.