Laughter continued to echo in the ballroom as it did across the grand balcony overlooking the Citadel’s magnificent gardens of green. Desia was happy for once to be in a place that neither scared her nor to be with people who thought her crazy.

  The Origin of Fate was creating illusions of woodland creatures that danced and played around Permeus’ delighted twin daughters, Amara and Kara. A nice little trick she always played with them when she would come visit. She was probably sure that as they grew, she would have to find more creative ways of entertaining them, but for now what worked worked, and neither she nor they questioned it.

  This year and at this moment, a translucent fox made of golden light darted between the girls’ feet while a rabbit hopped along the marble balustrade, its shimmering form leaving trails of stardust in its wake.

  “They’re chasing me!” cried Amara as she ran from an ethereal beehive.

  On the other hand, Kara stood frozen in amazement, with wide eyes and an open mouth, as a butterfly of light fluttered just beyond her grasp.

  Desia smiled, momentarily forgetting her many troubles as she lost herself in the innocent joy of the children, her favorite nieces. Despite the weight of her recent visions, seeing the twins’ excitement brought a genuine warmth to her heart.

  “You have quite a way with them,” a deep voice commented from behind.

  Desia turned to see Darkeus approaching, his tall form silhouetted against the light from the ballroom. Unlike the other Origins, who had adorned themselves in festive colors for the celebration, Darkeus remained in his customary dark attire, his pale face a stark contrast to his flowing black robes.

  “Thank you,” Desia replied, allowing the illusions to fade away, to the dismay of the twins.

  “No! Bring them back!” Kara protested, her small face crumpling in disappointment.

  “I think it’s time for you two to find your parents,” Desia said gently, kneeling to their level. “This grown-up talk would only bore you.”

  “But we want to stay with you and the magic animals,” Kara insisted, stomping her foot in the way only an over-privileged five-year-old could.

  Desia’s eyes twinkled. “Run along now and find your parents. If you’re good, perhaps tomorrow I’ll create even more magical creatures for you to play with.”

  “I am here for a while, and I will stay in your castle the whole time,” she further reasoned

  The promise of future entertainment was enough to persuade the reluctant princesses, who cast longing glances over their shoulders as they made their way back into the bustling ballroom.

  When they were alone, Darkeus moved closer to Desia, his crimson eyes scanning her face with concern.

  “How are you holding up?” he asked, his voice softer now that they were away from prying ears.

  “I’m fine,” Desia answered, turning to look out over the moonlit gardens below.

  She could sense Darkeus studying her profile, noting the tension in her shoulders and the subtle furrow between her brows.

  “Are you sure about that? You don’t seem fine to me.” He pointed out.

  “You sound like Raynor,” Desia replied, half laughing

  “I guess both he and I are deeply concerned about you then,” Darkeus said, defending himself

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  Desia sighed, her shoulders dropping slightly.

  “Am I that transparent?”

  “As your illusions,”

  “Really?”

  “Don’t worry.”

  “It only applies to someone who knows you well,” Darkeus replied, joining her at the railing. “Plus, I saw how you reacted when Laura and Dalia arrived.”

  Desia’s fingers tightened on hearing that. The memory of that moment — the shock of seeing Laura in Dephenus’ place, followed by the icy dread at Dalia’s arrival — made her stomach clench anew.

  “I believe Laura’s presence has insulted us,” she admitted after a moment of silence. “Dephenus and Imaia sent their child rather than attend themselves... it feels disrespectful to what we’ve built, to the significance of this council.”

  “Not that it had much significance anyway,” Darkeus remarked

  “You understand what I mean,” Desia replied sharply

  “The obvious guess is Dephenus is using this as a teaching tool for his daughter on administration,” Darkeus explained

  “Imaia is probably just using this as an excuse to stay home, though,” he added

  “She always hated these things, I guess,” Desia admitted

  “An intriguing and naturally applicable theory” Darkeus replied

  “Nevertheless, why bother teaching Laura administration?” She wondered, “It is not like she can succeed him. “

  “Our brother Dephenus is a very peculiar Origin,” Darkeus answered

  “I am sorry if I made quite a scene, but this is an ‘Origins meeting’,” she pointed out. “It is supposed to be full of Origins.”

  “Why do you think that every year I question why Permeus hosts?” Darkeus asked.

  “You just could not miss the opportunity?” Desia said with a grin on her face.

  “Not really,” Darkeus admitted

  “By the way, you still have not explained your reaction to Dalia’s arrival?” Darkeus prompted, his voice carefully neutral.

  Desia turned to face him fully, her sky-blue eyes troubled.

  “I admit I was spooked just when I saw her step out of that carriage...” she said, shuddering slightly. “I know it’s unfair. She has done nothing to deserve my suspicion, and yet...”

  “You think she might be the darkness you’ve been warned about,”

  Darkeus finished for her, his expression grim.

  Desia’s eyes widened in surprise. “How did you know?”

  “Because I’ve been thinking it too since I got news of her admission as well,” Darkeus admitted, lowering his voice further.

  “The control over shadows, the Nightrealm itself, the circumstances we find ourselves in — it all fits too neatly.” He elaborated.

  “I saw the ghost again,” Desia said suddenly, glancing around to ensure they weren’t overheard. “Aurea.”

  Darkeus leaned in closer, his eyes intense. “When? What did she say?”

  “Before I left for Titania,” Desia explained, her voice barely above a whisper.

  “She appeared to me by a river. She said the only way to defeat the darkness is with ‘the sacrifice of a white flame powered by the black night’.”

  Darkeus frowned, his dark brows drawing together in concentration.

  “What does that mean?”

  “I’ve been puzzling over it since she spoke those words,” Desia replied, tucking a strand of light brown hair behind her ear. “The white flame... Permeus’ immortal flame burns brilliant white. Perhaps it is him?”

  Darkeus stiffened. “Are you suggesting we need to speak with Permeus about this?”

  “I think we may have to,” Desia said hesitantly, knowing how Darkeus felt about their brother.

  “We are talking about the same Permeus, right?” Darkeus asked for clarification.

  “I am pretty sure,” Desia jibed.

  “The Permeus who takes nothing seriously,” Darkeus asked once more

  “How many Permeuses do you know?” Desia asked, prompting him to stop

  “More than I would like,” Darkeus said.

  “If we’re facing a threat to all creation, as Aurea suggests, we need his power,” Desia explained

  Darkeus turned away, his jaw clenching visibly for a while before regaining some composure.

  “You know something?” he asked ominously

  “What?” Desia asked, expecting an answer she did not like

  “I think I would rather face this coming darkness alone than ask for his help.”

  “Great mercy of fate, your pride isn’t worth the risk,” Desia countered firmly. “If Aurea is right,”

  “If?” Darkeus interrupted, turning back to her. “We don’t even know if this ‘Aurea’ is actually friend or foe, real or imagined.”

  Desia drew back. “You think I am imagining this? Don’t you”

  Darkeus’ words especially hurt Desia. It was enough that Desia’s own subjects believed she had lost it, but if her closest confidant did too, she would feel more alone than she had ever known.

  “No, that’s not what I meant,” he said, reaching out to touch her arm.

  “But surely we must consider the possibility.”

  “All the more reason to consult with the others,” Desia insisted.

  “Including Permeus.”

  Darkeus sighed heavily, resignation written across his pale features.

  “You’re right, as usual. Typical Desia” He relented. “But for the record, I don’t like it.”

  “You like nothing,” She reminded him

  “Plus, no one’s asking you to like it,” Desia said with the ghost of a

  smile. “Only to do what’s necessary to protect what we’ve created.”

  “That I can do,” Darkeus replied

  “I hope we can.”