A Light in the Flame

“Heartmates usually only occur between two people whose unions are linked to some great purpose.”

“You have no idea what Nyktos has had to give up. What he’s been through. What he’s sacrificed for you, and then for you—”

“Prophecies are fucking pointless.”

“I hate that you spent so long being made to feel that way. And I loathe that I likely added to that feeling. For that, I do not think I could apologize enough. You are seen and heard, liessa.”

“Maybe I started doing it because instead of feeling like I couldn’t breathe, I was actually controlling it, and it wasn’t controlling me? I don’t know. But it made me feel in control. Not weak or something.”

“I don’t know why death smells like that, but lilacs are special. They represent renewal, and both life and death are that—a renewal. If you ever see lilacs like this near water in the mortal realm, you can be assured that you’re near a gateway to Iliseeum—to Dalos, in particular.”

“I’m his weakness. What I’ve been preparing for my whole life? It was for him. Not you. I can still try. Just help me get there, or…or let me go. Either one. I will fulfill my real destiny.”

“What he means to say is that such a thing, a Primal of both Life and Death, is not meant to exist. It would be unthinkable for the embers of both to thrive in one being. But if they could? The kind of power they’d wield? It would be truly absolute. They could unravel realms in the same breath they created new ones.”

“Either way, I will not play the I-don’t-want-you-but-no-one-else-can-have-you game. With you or anyone.”

“That thread that broke off from all the possible strings that chart the course of your life? It was unexpected. Unpredictable. Fate is never truly written in bone and blood. It can be as ever-changing as your thoughts. Your heart. His.”

“But what I can tell you is something you already know. What you’ve spent your life preparing to become? What I trained you for? It wasn’t a waste. You are his weakness.”

“He would burn through the Shadowlands to obtain his graeca.”

“From the moment I learned that I no longer had to answer to a duty I never had a choice in accepting, I became my own person. Someone who gets to make their own choices. I will not be ordered about and told what I can and cannot do as if I have no power or control over my life, no matter what risks I may be taking. I am done living like that.”

“But it wasn’t until Kolis experienced love and loss that he changed. That he began to become what he is today. Love can breathe life and inspiration into one, and the loss of it can rot and taint the mind of another. That is what Ash fears most. Loving someone. Losing them. Then becoming something even worse than Kolis.”

“Love makes anything possible. Makes anyone capable of the unexpected.”

“Seraphena has taken no oath, sworn no loyalties, nor does she yet wear the crown of the Consort. She has not been here long, but she was still willing to risk her life to protect all of you—all of those within the Shadowlands and beyond. Believing that she was the cause of the recent attacks, she planned to turn herself over to Kolis. Though she is not the cause. Her bravery is unmatched, even among all of you.”

“All you’ve proven is what I’ve told you before. That one decent and kind bone I have in me belongs to you.”

“Kolis believes all mortals should be in service to the Primals and gods. That their lives should be dedicated to appeasing the whims of those more evolved than they are. That those who do not worship the Primals with dedication and respect should be punished. He has already ordered the Primals and gods to punish mortals more harshly, even for the simplest indiscretions. You may not have seen this play out in your kingdom yet, or were simply unaware, but failure to even bow before a statue of a Primal could result in death in other places.”