“Forgive me, Princess Eloria, but a chance to discuss our journey never presented itself during dinner.” 

Eloria’s shoulders sagged. “Novus, you can drop the formalities. And there will be no journey tomorrow. Not for the three of us.” She gestured towards Ryöko.

“I… I thought you understood.” Novus stepped towards her. “Sorrell needs you. Their…” He glanced down the hall from the direction they’d come. “Their circumstance requires aid.” 

Eloria’s eyes narrowed. “You said yourself that I cannot help them. Not in the way they need.” 

“You have a greater purpose to serve,” he argued. “That’s why you must return with me to Kien Illae.”

“My purpose is not in that castle. It’s here.” 

Novus stepped forward, closing the distance between them. “Three years ago I told you, didn’t I? I warned you.” 

Eloria squared her shoulders, remembering the Builder’s ominous words. “A shadow is coming.” 

He nodded. “It’s almost time, Eloria. The shadow will soon be free.” 

“And I told you, Crown Maker, that we’ll cut off its head before it can harm a soul in Loraillvon.” 

He leaned in closer, his face becoming more clear. “It’s not that sort of shadow.” 

Eloria searched his eyes in the dimness. “What is it that you want from me, Novus?” As he opened his mouth to reply, she held up a hand. “Wait. I’m afraid you might have misheard me. I’m not asking what Tavin wants, or Sorrell, or Kosta, or Ashnah, or anyone else in Kien Illae. What do you want from me?”

His features strained as he looked down, catching sight of her wedding ring. Novus slipped his hand around hers, bringing it up to admire the piece of jewelry.

“Killian never told you that he helped me make this ring, did he? He never told you that his magic lies within the pearl… magic that is slumbering until it’s needed.” 

She tried to pull her hand out of his grasp, but Novus held firm. Ryöko snarled, scales rising along her spine, but she backed down with a thought from Eloria.

“One day, Eloria, your husband will not be able to save you. I do not know his final consequence, but I do know the sort of magic he put into that pearl. Whatever it is the Creator has planned, Killian’s afraid. So afraid that he made you a way out. Something is coming, Eloria. Something that he doesn’t believe he can defeat.”

“Your shadow?” she spat. 

Novus shook his head. “No. The shadow is…” Whatever he was going to say next faded on his lips. His grip eased as he stared at the ring on her finger. “Whatever Killian will face is far worse, and this ring will serve its purpose when the time comes. But soon, very soon, you will find yourself in need. I do not know what is lying in wait, but I’ll say again what I told you three years ago.”

He shifted closer until his breath swayed the strands of hair that had fallen from her carefully arranged braid.

“If you ever find yourself in need, if you ever find Killian not at your side and the time comes that even your training fails you, find me. Come to Kien Illae. When the day comes that you need help, I will be waiting.”

“I remember your words from all those years ago, Novus.” Eloria pulled her hand from his grip. “I remember that you said the stones of Loraillvon were singing to you, telling you things.” 

His mouth pursed into a thin line. 

“I’ve learned a lot these last five years in Loraillvon. There’s not been much to occupy my time once I discovered I can’t take the Trials. It gave me time to think about things I’ve heard. Mysteries of the world that may need solving.” Eloria’s head tilted as she observed him. “In all my travels throughout this world, I’ve listened to many songs sung by the people of Loraillvon. Old songs. Passed down through generations. I heard one, once, that told of stones that carried a melody. But, I’ve never met a Builder who could claim the same.” 

His breath stilled.

“What songs have the stones been singing to you, Novus?”

He stepped away, putting space between them once more. “If you don’t return with me to Kien Illae, it will be harder for me to protect you.” 

“Don’t you remember?” Eloria raised her chin. “I am the Prophesied. And I already have a Protector.”

From the shadows, Killian stepped out and to his wife’s side. His black wings rose up, curving around her as she stared down the Crown Maker. 

“Tell my brother that while we appreciate his invitation, we are, once again, unable to accept,” Killian all but growled. “If he wishes for our help, we’d be happy to oblige via parchment and ink.” 

Novus straightened. “Then I have your answer.” 

Killian’s voice was low as he said, “You have our answer.” 

The man nodded. “I’ll inform the king.” 

The sound of his boots echoed off the stone walls as he walked back the way they’d come. But when he reached the end of the hall, Novus looked over his shoulder. 

“Don’t forget my words, Eloria.” 

Then he disappeared around the corner.