Total pages in book: 135
Estimated words: 125422 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 627(@200wpm)___ 502(@250wpm)___ 418(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 125422 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 627(@200wpm)___ 502(@250wpm)___ 418(@300wpm)
Tears prickle at the corners of my eyes as I look up at her, overwhelmed by a sense of belonging I never knew was missing. All my life I felt like I didn’t fit in. I thought it was because I was the product of divorced parents, my love being split across two countries, never really belonging to either, but now I know that wasn’t it. I felt different because I was different and others knew it before I even did.
And now, with my real mother in front of me, I feel a deep sense of yes, this is it. This is who you are and who you were meant to be.
Fucking hell, I need to get a grip. I don’t even know her or what any of this means.
“You are destined for greatness,” she continues, her eyes alight with pride and a distant sort of affection. “But first, you must come with me to my realm on the sun. It is only there I can help you unlock the full extent of your powers and guide you on your path to embracing your true heritage.”
Right. Her realm.
On the fucking sun.
Vellamo clears her throat behind me, pulling me out of the trance my mother seems to have wrapped me in.
“You’re going to take her to the sun?” Vellamo asks in a stern voice.
I turn around to look at the Sea Goddess standing beside the fire. Even next to my mother, she still looks regal and formidable, her damp body glowing in the light, though the sadness in her eyes runs deep.
“Are you sure that’s wise?” Vellamo adds, raising her chin. “The world has dissolved into Kaaos, in case you haven’t noticed. My husband, Ahto, is dead. There are God-killers on the loose. This world will be lost to Oblivion in no time, and you think it’s best to take the Queen of Tuonela to your world to, what? Hide?”
My mother’s gaze flickers at Vellamo with a fierce determination, the light in her eyes blazing brighter.
“This is not about hiding, Vellamo,” she says. “This is about preparing my daughter for the challenges that lie ahead. The forces of Kaaos may be strong, but Hanna carries within her the legacy of the sun and the strength to face whatever darkness threatens our realms. She is key to all of this—she is the prophecy.”
“You know about the prophecy?” I ask her.
“Of course I do,” she says patiently. “I’m the one who ensured it would come to light. You were no accident, my child. Only light can fight darkness. I knew that the chances of you fulfilling the prophecy were high. Your father knew that too.”
My mouth drops. “My father knew?”
What the actual fuck? He’s the one who acted like he didn’t believe me when I told him I was the prophecy. It took Tuoni holding my bare hand to prove it.
“Your father knew you could become the prophecy,” my mother clarifies, clearly reading my thoughts. Not intrusive, or anything. “Doesn’t mean he believed it until you revealed the truth.” She gives me a small smile, her lips glittering like golden dust. “He had hopes, though. We both did. What if the blood of the sun was mixed with that of a mortal? Not just any mortal, but a descendant of a powerful shaman, one who wields magic? What if it produced a being who was the best of both worlds, tied to humanity, to the cycle of life and death, given the powers of a God and the restraint to use them?”
I blink at her, trying to wrap my head around all of this. It’s nice to know my existence wasn’t a whoops someone got pregnant out of wedlock scenario, but to know my birth was actually planned as some feeble attempt to save the Underworld one day is kind of a mind fuck.
I’m no longer the Chosen One. I’m the Planned One. No wonder my father went to such lengths to smuggle me into the real world and create Salainen as a decoy.
My dad is going to get a fucking earful when I see him again.
“Don’t be so hard on your father.” She answers my silent words. “He didn’t have much say in the matter.”
I raise my hand. “I’m gonna stop you right there,” I tell her. The last thing I need to hear is that my father was coerced into having me.
She nods. “I understand. We can speak more later. But the sooner we leave this realm, the faster your powers will evolve and the better it is for everyone.”
I look back at Vellamo for her input. Right now, I trust her more than my mother.
Vellamo narrows her eyes, wearing an expression of skepticism mixed with concern. “What if she is not ready?” Vellamo asks. “What if the power within her proves to be too much?” She pauses. “Or not enough.”