Aureate Fates

16

She then shifted her attention to Erik, who sneered at one of the guards who had tried to grab his arm.

"The pair of you will ride with me to the palace," Delphinia said, gently. She folded her hands before her. The sunlight glinted off the golden jewelry she had armed herself with. "We have much to discuss."

The caravan had stopped at the opening of a forest. It seemed vacated, aside from their party. On the other side of the forest, Marisol could guess at the palace's presence.

Almost there.

Marisol wondered about Jaak, and whether Nyall had crafted up some story to keep him at bay. She made a mental note to write him as soon as she found a desk to sit at.

Behind her, Reese, Drew, and the girl in red, Thema, were led to an entirely different carriage, one opposite from Delphinia's.

Erik nodded his head toward where his younger brother was headed. "Where are they going?"

"The palace. But it's better if they ride separately. The people admire...abundance, quantity—more carriages," Delphinia explained, lifting her chin slightly.

Abundance was laughable considering the recent famine—and plague. As Marisol thought about the horrors of the plague, her heart ached to see Jaak. She knew Nyall would keep him safe, away from the sick.

Soon. She would see them both soon in a year and seven days, while Erik Ovar became her husband and king.

She refused to look at him, even if his presence beside her was profound. Delphinia motioned for the soldiers to lead them into a carriage that reflected the emblem of Verskyia. Two red doves intersected, and joined with two golden blades—a far call from Ziralem's Levantica Trees.

The soldier helped Marisol onto the steps of the carriage while Erik trailed behind her. He didn't speak a word, and she was sure he didn't allow the soldier to touch him as he ascended the steps.

The interior of the carriage was grand. The windows were outlined in gold trim, and the seats were cushioned with soft, red pillows. Delphinia sat on one side and motioned for Marisol and Erik to sit parallel to her. Close and beside each other.

Marisol turned her attention to Erik, and found his cold eyes on hers. A muscle feathered in his strong jaw, as if he was weighing something that caused him physical frustration. Yet, he yielded, and sat beside Marisol on the red velvet cushions. He made sure to place a safe distance between them.

The soldiers departed, and left the three of them to their conversation.

Delphinia alerted the driver to begin their journey to the palace. And the second the horses began their rhythmic trot, Delphinia's milky eyes fixed on Marisol and Erik.

But Marisol began first. "The Levantica leaves have fallen, and my country is now vulnerable without a border. What is it you intend to do about it?"

Delphinia rose her auburn brows, almost as if she hadn't expected the steadiness in which Marisol had spoken. "Your Jaak is protected, safe. Soldiers who come alive at your name will defend Ziralem with their lives."

Erik gave a barely audible scoff.

Marisol ignored it as she said, "How do you intend to repair Ziralem's border?"

Delphinia released a breath, and leaned forward. "I cannot do anything for the same reason that I cannot put a stop to this plague, to this famine." The Oracle pierced two milky eyes into her, and found Marisol's greatest fear.

Carrying the weight of so many lives.

"As Galvinus would have it," Delphinia began, speaking softer, "you are the salvation. Each one of you."