Chapter 79. Feathers in the Wind

SAELYNA

The prophecy, her eyes mean to say, even though she doesn’t mention it. She doesn’t know how much I know, how much Quain must have told me.

The thought that our lives had been a cover, a facade, drains me of emotion, and all I can do is sink into a chair next to me. Veesa’s rocking chair, I realize. How many nights had Earmon been here, while she rocked in its wooden seat, talking our future over with her? Argell? Our parents?

I open my mouth to speak, but she must have guessed my thoughts, because she shakes her head.

“No. Your parents tried as much as they could to shield you as well as they could from the pains and troubles of the outside world. But then, it became inevitable, once your mother had made that prophecy.”

“Only it was for nothing, right?” I say quietly, “Xanwed now knows about us.”

Her look is sad, almost pitiful, and it makes my temper boil.

“I’ve always suspected the Nordinger boy; after all, blood runs thick. T