I recognize the place. There, a giant Fuegorra crystal is housed, surrounded by thousands of towering citrine shards. Each one hums, tuned perfectly to the harmonic resonance of her magic.
It is a potent connection between the Wise Woman and her gods. Sometimes it tells of the future, other times it may be used for information. If she was there, she was looking for a solution to my problem.
“It was…” She doesn’t finish.
“Liana. Please.”
Her jaw tightens. She looks at me, then away. For the first time, she looks defeated.
"I don’t know how to break your curse. I’ve tried everything—prayers, cleansing, crystals. Nothing has worked," she finally says, soft, solemn. "I am… so sorry."
I swallow hard. I had sensed this, but hearing it out loud makes something inside me crack.
My breath burns as it pushes up my throat. "Then that means I need to—" I stop. My voice breaks and my lips quivers.
Liana holds my gaze.
"You need to find someone who can help," she says, gentle and certain. “If there’s an answer, it’s with the ones who gave you the mark. I believe that is one of the human witches."
Reality sinks into my bones, pressing down on my chest until I can barely breathe.
Leave. Venture to find women who had actively worked against us in the last conflict. Thebrujasmight kill me before I can even plead my case.
But what Liana says is true–there are no options left.
“I don’t want to go,” I whisper. “But I can’t keep putting everyone around me in danger. I’ll go alone.”
Liana watches me closely. Then she exhales, her shoulders rising and falling as she takes in my words.
“I know you’re made of tougher stuff than most, but going alone is dangerous. Do what Melisa did—make someone escort you.”
She references Ra’Salore’s mate. Melisa had asked for a bodyguard when she returned to the Giant Capital, Zlosa, in order to spy on the giants. It was a different situation. The danger was external then.
This is all me.
I shake my head sharply. “And kill them, too?” My voice wavers, but I don’t back down. “I can’t control myself. I won’t ask someone to risk their life for me.”
Liana nods once, her gaze solemn. “I know when a woman has made up her mind. If you feel this is best, I will not stop you, but you cannot go empty-handed. Let me help you pack.”
I hesitate, my instincts screaming at me to move quickly, but I know she’s right.
“I need to leave soon,” I murmur. “Can you tell Estela? Mikal? Teo?”
Vann…
Her eyes flick toward the room where I was housed, as if she expects someone to come bursting through. She raises her hand, and the door shuts quiet. “We will not be heard now.” Then she meets my gaze. “I’ll deal with everyone else.”
“Thank you,” I whisper.
She ushers me toward the kitchen. “First, you should go to Mrath. She will be grateful since we have helped her with theCumhacht na Cruinne. Her spies seem to know a little of everything.”
Mrath, the leader of an elven rebellion, has spent years infiltrating practically every corner of the continent. Though her alliance with Teo is new, she has always expressed her disposition to be of help after King Teo and Queen Estela recovered theCumhacht na Cruinne. This divine artifact helps to determine the next sovereign.
It was lost for generations, its absence left the throne in chaos, but Teo placed it in Mrath’s hands, giving her a powerful foothold in the struggle ahead.
I nod once.
Liana extends her hand, the long billowing sleeves of hernightdress flowing like mist as she reaches for me. “When you leave the cavern, head south. The Enduar Mountain Range will shift from black to grey, and once it does, keep close to the base of the mountains. A thick forest should surround you. The Sisterhood’s Enclave is there.”