Rona
The doors swung open.
A blinding flash of light forced my eyes shut.
What the hell was going on?
When I blinked them open again, more than half the immortals in the hall were on their knees, their heads bowed.
"Lord Myrrha," a voice boomed.
I strained to see as a figure glided through the parted crowd. Immaculate white robes trailed behind her like drifting clouds.
"Herald of the Fates."
Only two words lodged in my mind.
The Fates.
Beings who held the immortal realm in the palms of their hands.
"You may rise." Her voice swept through the hall like a haunting melody.
A silver staff chimed softly as she moved. Her long white hair framed her gentle curves, with piercing gold eyes that could see straight through a soul.
It wasn't just her power that was unnerving.
It was her presence.
"I declare the Fate's Banquet open," she announced, lifting her staff. "In the name of the Three Fates."
She brought it crashing down.
The marble floor split apart beneath the impact, a web of cracks racing across the once-pristine tiles.
I instinctively shrank back.
Then her gaze settled on us.
She didn't hurry. Each graceful step echoed through the suffocating silence.
Until she stopped in front of Kethan.
From the corner of my eye, I saw Tamil's hand drift to the hilt of his sword.
"Stand down," Kethan ordered quietly before stepping forward.
A flash of crimson caught my eye as Morvane slipped through the crowd with effortless grace, a crooked grin already tugging at his lips.
"I never thought I'd see the day the two of you met." His words came slightly slurred as he leaned against a pillar. "Long time no see, cousin."
A flicker of disdain flashed across the Herald's face.
"What?" Morvane laughed, raising his glass. "You don't miss me?"
"You mistake familiarity for affection, Morvane." She said softly while her eyes remained fixed on Kethan.
"I've come because the Threads have begun to unravel."
My blood ran cold as those golden eyes peered at me.
"They began to unravel a long time ago, Myrrha." Kethan's expression hardened as he stepped in front of her, shielding me from her view.
"This time, it's different." She stood right in front of him, their bodies were inches apart. "And the fates demand this loose thread be tightened."
"Now, this." Morvane interrupted, filling his glass to the brim. "Is a banquet worth attending."
The herald ignored him as she walked past Kethan.
"You're the anomaly." She set her eyes on me, reaching out to grab my chin.
Whispers spread through the immortals like wildfire.
"The one that's supposed to be dead."
My skin stung at the force of her grip. This would definitely leave a mark.
But before I could speak, a hand slapped hers away.
"You've grown quite used to touching things that aren't yours." The red haired goddess from earlier stepped in-between us. "Haven't you, sister?"
The herald's hand hung limply by her side. "All souls are at the mercy of the Fates."
"No, they're at the mercy of who lets them pass through the gates."
"That's a case you have to plead before the Fates." The herald turned to Kethan, her voice tightening with urgency. "They've been waiting to see you."
He raised a brow, "The last time we met, I nearly destroyed their loom."
"Regardless," The herald's gaze darted between Kethan and me. "It's a matter of utmost importance."
"No."
The herald's voice strained. "This is not something you can ignore. It's a direct dereliction of duty."
Silence swallowed the hall.
Kethan smiled. "Then let them strip me of my title."
A collective gasp swept through the banquet,
Even Morvane lowered his glass, every trace of mischief in his eyes vanished.
"Tell the Three Fates..." His voice was quiet.
"...they can come ask me themselves."
The herald, Myrrha's face paled. "You dare disregard the Fates?"
"They exist to bring order to a world I created." I felt the air sizzle with energy as he spoke. Each syllable sent shivers through my spine.
"To bring order to a world you nearly destroyed!" Her composure broke as the words left her lips.
The hall descended into a deathly silence.
Kethan chuckled.
It was the first time I had heard laughter that made me want to run.
"A world I'll destroy again if I don't get what I want."
"You can't..." Her voice broke off into a whisper.
For the first time since she entered this hall, fear flashed across Myrrha's face.
"Tell your Fates that I've been patient long enough. Any longer and they'll watch this world unravel at its seams." He clicked his tongue.
"That is not a threat." He looked her dead in the eye. "It's a promise."
I couldn't move. I couldn't breathe.
Judging by the silence, neither could anyone else.
Somewhere in the distance, a wine glass shattered against the marble.
The sound was deafening in the silence.
The Progenitor turned to me.
That pair of deep crimson eyes pinned me in place
Before he could take another step, slender fingers closed around his wrist.
"Wait."