Total pages in book: 129
Estimated words: 123190 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 616(@200wpm)___ 493(@250wpm)___ 411(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 123190 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 616(@200wpm)___ 493(@250wpm)___ 411(@300wpm)
The Jewel nods, the only sign that she is even listening. “Go on,” she finally says. The words come out with the hum, a part of it.
“There are rumors that Mordeus, the false king of the Unseelie Court, has returned from the dead. We have no proof of this supposed resurrection but need to know if it’s true.”
The humming stops, and her eyes open—white and milky. The silence that takes the place of that low hum feels deafening. “Why do you concern yourself with the affairs of other courts, Mishamon Nico Frendilla? You are Wild Fae. You are free of the petty clashes and treachery of the sun and moon courts. Do not entangle yourself with the likes of their politics.”
Misha bows his head again. “You honor me with your wisdom, my Jewel. But I come here asking for the future of my court as much as any other. If Mordeus has returned, no court is safe.”
She studies him for a long time with those milky eyes. “You are a good king, my child. Your court thrives under your leadership and will continue to thrive. But this girl beside you drives you to worry about matters that aren’t yours. Do you deny it?”
Misha doesn’t spare me a glance or even meet Gaelynn’s eyes. “No, my Jewel. I deny none of your wisdom.”
“Good. Then I will say this: When the gods brought Mab back from death, the world was altered, not only in this realm but beyond. Fates took turns that changed the course of millennia. They declared they would not do it again for even the greatest leader and certainly not for the likes of that wicked false king.”
Misha exhales slowly. “Thank you for your wisdom, my Jewel. We will rest easier knowing he doesn’t live again.”
“I didn’t say that, my child. I said the gods didn’t bring him back.”
Misha lifts his head, but I keep mine bowed. “Will you explain for me, my Jewel? Could such a thing be done without help from the gods?”
“Whether or not it was done, I cannot say. I have no connection to the Court of the Moon and their line of rulers. But I can say it is possible. Unlikely but possible. To bring he who has passed into the Twilight back to this world would require incomparable magic—both in the catalyst, which brings back the spirit, and in the physical realization, which brings back the body.”
“Is there a body?”
“His most fervent supporters believe Mordeus’s trusted advisors retrieved his body the day of his assassination and preserved it with magic, waiting for the day they had powerful enough magic to bring him back.”
“Where would one get such magic? Fire gems? Bloodstones?”
“Not even the sacred stones could provide enough power to raise the dead.”
“Then how?”
“There is no resurrection without great sacrifice. We all know death will come for us, but returning requires sacrifice the likes of which no true king would ever accept. For this reason, we will never see the best kings and queens return for their thrones. Only the worst.”
“What kind of sacrifice?” Misha asks.
“There are legends of ancient spells that can take the living and use their magic to raise the dead.” She shakes her head. “But it requires countless deaths of devoted followers, all for one resurrection.”
I hear Misha swallow. “So for such a thing to happen, many would have to die.”
“Where else would such great magic come from? Life is magic. Magic is life. The foresight required makes planning for such a thing nearly impossible. There are too many factors,” she says. “Thank the gods anyone worthy of such a thing wouldn’t allow it and those unworthy rarely have the devoted followers to make it happen. Therein lies the beauty of it.”
Misha blinks, and I wonder if he’s thinking the same thing I am.
The faceless plague. All the dead fae. Are they connected to Mordeus? Is he somehow taking their life force to bring himself back?
“But what if one had the legions willing to give their lives?” Misha says. “Then it would be possible?”
The Jewel flashes her teeth in a haunting approximation of a smile. “Even after the sacrifice brought back the spirit, no resurrection is complete without the body, and bringing a body back from the grave would require great magic indeed.”
“But it could be done?” Misha asks.
Gaelynn hums again, the sound filling the space that seemed so empty without it. “I would hate to meet the faerie who could command powers meant for the gods alone,” she says. “My priestess will give you the name of a skilled witch who lives on the coast. Bring her an object that belonged to the false king, and she will be able to tell you if he lives.”
Misha holds my hand all the way down the too-long hall and out of the Jewel’s sanctuary.