Heirs to a Nothing Throne

Chapter 34

The sun hung high above the ocean. Raven and I sat together facing away from the island. Given the dire circumstances we'd just left and the pain that left with us, neither of us minded the heat. She was in better condition than I physically. The fact that she'd spent a long while in good care showed. She wore the face of mourning, though, and I could see how deep the scars of loss were.

She interrupted my thoughts, finally ready to break the silence. "I think... I'm ready to hear what happened to you after we were separated. And I'll of course tell you my side of the story."

I nodded and forced a smile for her sake. "I'll tell you it, although it's a little long."

"I've got plenty of time. We both do." She smiled a little, and, to my relief, it seemed genuine. I began organizing my thoughts, wondering how to begin, and how to explain Theta and everything that happened with her. I suddenly felt bad about how we tarried in the ruined city and tried to suppress my desire to leave out the easygoing parts of the story. I finally started after only a moment or two of silence. I was brief but detailed, recounting the suddenness of our meeting with Theta and how hospitable she was, despite our strangeness.

I felt awkward when I had to explain the more unusual parts, especially Theta's fight against Ouldrakken. It was probably believable, of course, since Raven had seen Theta in action already, but, even as one who experienced it all, I could hardly believe it. None of it seemed realistic, or real at all. Maybe it was because Theta was gone now, but I could almost feel her slowly fading from my memories. Not disappearing—I doubted any of what happened would ever disappear—but knowing I'd never see her again, it seemed right to focus on the future.

I finished my tale with less-than-eloquence and suffered the questions Raven politely put forward about Theta. I had left out some details about Theta and I's relationship, and I felt she could tell, but she was also understanding enough not to pry.

Eva stirred beside me. Raven and I had bandaged her as best we could, and now part of my shirt was wrapped around her. We had exchanged few words during the process.

She sat up. "Where... are we? What's..." She blinked a few times as she rose.

"The beach," I answered solemnly. "The same beach we arrived on. Where all of this mess started."

Her mind seemed to then recall the mess, and she drew her legs close, looking around. "Wait, what's... where's Timore? What happened?"

"Timore is dead. We did it."

"And... Angelique?" She said quietly.

I hesitated. "Her... also."

Eva was silent. I stole a glance at her and saw quiet tears trickling down her cheeks. Raven slid over to her and put her arms around her, comforting her with muffled words. Finally, Eva continued. "And... the same for Theta, then? Verwarr?"

"Verwarr... yes. Theta..." I thought for a moment. "Theta and Jasmine had to leave. They had to go back to wherever Timore came from." I paused again. "They won't return."

Eva put her head in her hands. "Why did all of this have to happen? All of it? Why to us?" Her tears reemerged.

Raven shook my head. "I don't know. We were just caught up in something far bigger than any of us. But... I think we left our mark on things. Played a good part in it all, as best we could. Verwarr, Theta, Jasmine... all of us." Her gaze fell.

I nodded. "Jasmine told me... Jasmine told me to never forget to be happy. That goes for all of us. We have to remember we did the best we could." I turned to Raven, offering a smile. "And now that Eva's awake, what's your side of things."

She took a deep, shaky breath and began her story. Andrey hadn't betrayed them right away. They retreated away from the cliffs, back into the thick of the woods, before traveling in one direction following its edge. They didn't want to be caught against it, but they also needed to stay close enough to know their way. But in the night Andrey would occasionally wander off, while it was his time to be on watch, thinking the others didn't notice. Everyone noticed he was acting funny, more aloof, until finally, one night, he returned with a group of Chevaliers. They were marched back to the fortress and once again separated, Jasmine being imprisoned on her own for a short while. She and Verwarr were made to watch her transformation, the memory of which still made Raven shudder. Raven begged that Jasmine at least be given to her, and Timore didn't care enough to disagree. Verwarr had already been made into a mindless puppet, so as to prevent further rebellion. Why Raven didn't receive the same treatment was unknown, although she was still forced to bear Verwarr's heir.

I swallowed. "So then... Well... you are? Carrying the heir?"

Raven shook her head. "If I am... I don't know yet. It might be dangerous for someone with Timore's blood to survive. I'm scared of what I'll have to do." Eva held her, and my heart filled with sorrow for her.

I wondered for both of our futures. Even if we got off the island, people would have questions. We might be blamed for the others' fates. No one would believe any of the truth, so we'd likely have to tell them lies. Tell them that we three were the only survivors from the ship. If all three of us could keep that up was questionable. How could I move on in life, without knowing a thing about what happened to Jasmine or Theta?

Raven broke me out of my own contemplation once more, this time with a sob. I sighed sympathetically, and put my hand on her back. I wouldn't worry about that. Jasmine and Theta were capable and would take care of themselves. Avel promised me that. For now, I'd stay with and care for the people I could, the people who needed me to. Raven dried her eyes. Eva lifted her head. We stared, not at each other but outward, four souls on a beach in an endless ocean.