AllFreeNovel
Share Us
"You know how Tulip and Morrow are my high priests?" I ask her. She nods, twisting his fingers in her lap. "I just knew, when I woke up all those years ago, that it was them. When you came into your magic, I knew."
"You never said anything."
"Of course not," I reply, leaning back in my chair. I don't have an office. I never saw the need for it. Juniper is in my home in Rainworth. The smooth wood table between us is scattered with papers I've been sorting, notesI've been taking, preparing for her to take on the mantle. "You know my story, Juniper."
"It's taught in schools. Master Taegan is quite passionate about our history," she mutters.
"I imagine he is," I say, laughing. Taegan literally wrote the book on Krillium history. It's hard to get him to stop and enjoy the moment sometimes, but he loves it. He's taught at the schools since we built them, and sometimes, he has me come in during the section to answer questions.
I hate doing it, if I'm being honest, but I do it for him.
"Then you know why I wouldn't saddle you with a responsibility like this so young. I wanted you to have a life before I spoke to you about it."
"I understand," she murmurs. She looks down at her bare legs, her short pink dress hitting the middle of her thighs. "Do I have a choice?"
"Of course you do. I can keep the mantle until you die and another Equinox comes along."
"That's a long time," she says, shocked.
"I'm immortal. I can handle it. I would prefer not to, but I would never force this on you." And I mean it. This is not for everyone, and I would never force her to do this. But if she wants it, I will gladly give it up.
"Will you train me?" she asks quietly.
"Of course I will. It's hard to without you having the magic, but I will mentor you until you're ready." I can't help the smile on my face. I knew Juniper would rise to the occasion. She hasalways had her head on straight, she's adored by everyone, and she's compassionate and kind. She will be a different God than me, but that's what Krillium needs.
The realm no longer needs its cruel God.
"I'll take the magic today," she says, surprising the shit out of me.
"You don't have to make a hasty decision," I tell her, reaching across the table until she places her hands in mine. "It's a big commitment."
"No, I will do it. Gamma and Pops always talk about how being your high priest has always just felt so right. And…" she inhales sharply. "I feel it. This is what I'm supposed to do, isn't it?"
"I don't believe in fate," I tell her softly. "But I believe in magic. The Eternal Equinox told me to trust my magic, and I have. And my magic says it's not mine anymore."
She nods her head tightly. "Then I will take it on. Will your high priests become my own?"
"No, I don't think so. I believe when I pass it, the draw will pass to your priests, leaving mine to live their lives as normal fae. You'll have to find them, and you'll know when you do." I'm not concerned about how Cirrha, Morrow, and Tulip will react to losing their draw. We've all known this won't be forever, and they haven't been needed for their purpose in a long time. I'll need to let them know, though, so they don't think I died.
"When?" she asks, smiling. "When will we do it?"
"Come back tonight, yes?"
Myhigh priests took the news of losing their draws well, and Tulip and Morrow are so thrilled for Juniper. She's told a select few people, but I had to push them all out of the house for the magic transfer. I don't want them to see the process or know what my plan is.
Mace and I sit side by side at the table, holding hands. Every time I look at this man, I see our history flash before my eyes. Everything we went through, every moment with him, led to this life we have together. From the moment we locked eyes, and I challenged him at the opening ceremonies of the realm's Last Race, we've been entwined.
"What is it, numen?" he says, rubbing his thumb over mine.
"I love you so very much," I say, kissing the back of his hand. "Thanks for wanting to bring back a God, even if it all went to shit after that."
"You're welcome?" he says with a laugh.
I lean forward and kiss him deeply, passionately, dropping his hand and pulling his face to mine. He wraps his arms around my waist, hoisting me onto his lap.
Someone clearing their throat has us pulling ourselves apart. "I can come back?" Juniper says, grinning.
"No, no, come, sit down," I say, gathering the scattered papers from the tabletop. "I have to ask again, are you sure?"
