Sewn & Scarred (The Fated Creations Trilogy #3)

Chapter Ninety-EightEvaline

Chapter Ninety-Eight

Evaline

M y heart slammed in my chest, my eyes—which picked up on the smallest of details now—were wide as I stared up at the Gods, standing on a platform of water just as I had done so many times today.

Mortitheos spoke first, and I had to suppress a shiver as his shadowed gaze fell to mine.

“Eight centuries ago a mistake was made,” he started, his voice booming over us. “A Sorceress utilized blood magic to create an entirely new species, and another within seconds of each other.” He walked forward and Merwinna’s water extended in front of him. “And now we are here. Just as we did back then when a new creation was born, we decided to come down from the heavens to explain the consequences of such creation.”

Rominiava took a step forward too, head tilting. “Alannah’s love for her friend forced her to do something that she knew was wrong, and the penalty for using her blood magic was required to be severe.” Her eyes settled over me. “For her child to bear her curse, was the only way to ensure that this mistake would be mended. And when we realized that she thought she could refuse to have a child, we extended her life span. Limitless, like the beings she created. To ensure that she would give us the child we asked for, the child we could bless with our gifts and who could balance the world once more.”

Neomaeries smiled softly. “And even on her birthing bed, when she began to bleed, she used her one last act in this world to protect her child.” Her eyes saddened, turning down to me. “She thought she could lock your magic away, that she could hide who you were from you, in hopes neither the Kova nor Vasi would ever find you. In hopes neither First would, in hopes we would forget what was owed.”

Tears sprung into my eyes as they spoke, my hands shaking at my side.

“And now,” Kembertic said, looking at Vasier’s dead body upon the deck. “That debt has been paid. No longer will Vasier wreak havoc on the humans, no longer will he wage war over the Kova.”

Correntan looked down at all the Vasi.

“We don’t want you all to die,” he said, his voice soft. “You are all our children, no matter how far your paths have strayed. You walk the land we made for all creation, and even if we didn’t create you, we still watch over you, always. We want you to live in peace, as the Sorceress advised. If you choose to become a Kova again or to live without killing any humans to feed or taking any slaves, we will bless you, as we have the Kova.”

Mortitheos straightened. “The Kova, along with the Sorcerers and humans you know, are allowed into the Night. They are given entrance to eternal happiness, in whatever way they choose. They see the ones they loved, again, and can travel the world on the other side of the veil.” His eyes darkened. “But the Vasi, for their crimes against humanity, have only entered a purgatory, caught between life and death, in the nothingness that is Dusk.”

I looked to Maddox, brows furrowed, and he shook his head. I’d never heard of Dusk before.

“But if you choose to live peacefully, if starting today you never drain another human, I will allow you into the Night,” Mortitheos finished, and Rominiava smiled.

“You’ve always had mates, like the Kova. I just haven’t shown them to you. Choose to live peacefully, and I will gift you the knowledge of your mate, as I have the Kova.”

The Vasi around us murmured, but Merwinna turned to me then.

“And as for the future of this world, we made a new creation.”

My breath stuck in my lungs as all the Gods turned to me again.

“Evaline Manor was fated to end Vasier’s reign, but more than that, she was fated to begin a new type of immortal.” She raised her hand to me, and I looked into her eyes, the same shade as my own. “Her blood is different than the rest of you, different than other Sorceresses. Her blood was the only that her mate could drink because we had to ensure they’d stick together once they met, to create a new immortal. The Son of the First Kova, and the Daughter of the Creator, whose blood combined created an entirely new being. She is the Silver Rose, of the prophecy, and now, an immortal.”

All the Vasi around turned to look at me, but she continued.

“Evaline Manor is a new First, with eyes to differentiate her from the humans. She is a Silver.”

Arlomandric nodded. “In a world of Kova and Vasi who can drain a human when feeding, a Silver cannot. Her blood was poison to Vasi as a mortal. But when a Silver feeds on a mortal, if they begin to drain them, that mortal’s blood will become poison, and burn down the Silver’s throat just as her mate has experienced. To drain a human as a Silver is to kill yourself.”

They explained that all other immortal abilities remained, the compulsion, the speed, the strength, the heightened senses.

“If you choose to, you can become a Silver, too. Through the same mechanism as the turn to become a Kova, only using a Silver’s blood.” I straightened at that and felt Maddox’s hand close over my back.

Neomaeries straightened. “Today marks the first of peace over this land. Of peace between all of you immortals, of peace with the humans, with the Sorcerers, and all other inhabitants of our world. Choose to continue your ways,” she said, looking down at the Vasi. “And you will be exiled to Dusk upon your death.”

A murmur began again, but Mortitheos’ shadows struck out around us, their humming causing the Vasi to snap their jaws shut.

“Dusk is a wasteland, there is nothing there and you will not be able to see anyone, as you can the Night. You will spend eternity, alone. You will spend eternity experiencing nothing but the pain you’ve inflicted on every single innocent human you ever harmed. Over and over, one by one.”

The Gods pinned their eyes on me again, and slowly, each of them smiled.

“We planned to take back your gifts once you completed your fate, to only allow you your natural Water Caster ability,” Arlomandric said softly.

“But we think you’ve earned the right to keep them,” Vestari said, her black eyes alight.

A breath of relief shuddered through me and my magic soared within me, thankful to stay, forever.

“Thank you, Evaline Manor,” the Gods said in unison. “For rising to the challenge. Thank you, Maddox Vicor, for doing your duty to stand at her side.” They turned to Wyott. “Thank you, Wyott Whitlock, for delivering the fatal blow.” Then turned toward the rear of the fleet. “Thank you, Cora Whitlock. The hero of the Final War, for listening to our message to prepare.” They turned back, and their eyes locked on someone. “Thank you, Sage Ashton,” they began, and I couldn’t help but wonder if Sage even remembered her true last name. The last name she had, before Vasier made it Vicor. “For using your unique magic for good. For doing what was right, and for leaving Vasier behind.” Their eyes scanned over all the Kova, all the carnage. “Thank you, everyone, for risking your lives. For fighting in a war that you didn’t start, but that you were willing to die to end.” Their eyes fell to the dead bodies, to the fallen Kova, and Mortitheos stepped forward.

“Your dead will be looked after, they will be happy in the Night.”

Their eyes moved over the Vasi, washed over all of us again.

“Do not make us come back.”

And with that, light encased all of them. The soft hue of moonlight, for Neomaeries. Bright yellow of the sun, for Kembertic. Madierian Sea blue for Merwinna, gray for Correntan, green for Arlomandric, blood red for Vestari, pink for Rominiava, and the black of shadows for Mortitheos.

Their light erupted out over us, and for a moment, it was all there was.