Cruel Fates
Chapter 8
By: Kiana Darkk

AN: Wasn't the last chapter so un-romantic-like? Lol. Let's see if I can make my characters think about sex in an even more impersonal manner. ^^ I'm kidding folks! Anyway, in this chapter it's like a few days after Silvara's Virgin Night. So yeah...have fun.

Disclaimer: I don't own characters or settings taken from the Black Jewels Trilogy. Anne Bishop does. I do own any new characters, settings, or plotlines written about in this fic.




~Terreille, Realm of Light~ *Silvara's POV*

Two days after my Virgin Night I made the Offering. It was a very weird experience. Different from what Sarai and Jade had said theirs was like, but then, theirs were different from each others too. I guessed it was different for every person. For me, it was like standing in a field of flowers, and deciding which one would be the perfect one to pick. Tedius, and a bit boring, but not strenuous like Sarai had said.

It was boggling, but I left it where it was for now. I already knew that my brain had stored away the information for another day.

At first I was worried that my one-time physical intimacy with Nathaniel would change things, but I didn't notice anything different. There was no awkwardness, no hesitation. Just the normal contact for a Queen and a Warlord Prince. In fact, it seemed that Jade and Nathaniel were spending a lot of time together.

The two were practically joined at the hip! If you wanted to know where one was, you found the other. There was speculation that they were romantically involved. Of course, none of this was speculated in their presence. When I mentioned it to Sarai, she shook her head and told me to go to the source if I wanted answers.

You didn't really think I'd ask Jade about that, did you? If she didn't want to talk about it, I wasn't going to broach the subject. However, suspicions were practically confirmed after one particular incident.

I remember it was the fifth day Nathaniel was here. We were all sitting down to eat lunch, and the two aforementioned people were not present. Klarah bet the now-recovered Ahdam that they were off somewhere doing behind-closed-doors activities. A second after, Jade walked in with Nathaniel trailing behind her.

They were holding hands, and both had slightly dazed expressions on their faces. In their eyes I could see a mixture of excitement, contentment, and secrets. Clothes and hair were in disarray. Jade's normally pale skin was flushed and she was smiling widely.

To say the least, I was shocked. (Major understatement.) Sarai did a double-take, then settled for staring at her food. Alex looked like he was about to spit out his. Ahdam handed Klarah five coppers.

But Jade and Nathaniel just behaved like usual. Well, except for a bit of perkiness on Jady's part. So the rumors started flying at an even faster speed. Throughout it all Jade remained oblivious, although I had a feeling that Nathaniel knew.

When the time came for Tir'Ai'ni to leave, good-byes were long and emotional. We had all grown quite attached to each other. Jade openly hugged Nathaniel, nearly squeezing him till he was blue, then kissed him on the cheek. I was close enough that I heard their whispered words.

"Thank you for coming," she said while running her hand up and down his arm.

"It was my pleasure, Lady," Nathaniel replied with a warm smile.

What Jade said next made my jaw drop open. "I'll miss you." Never had I heard her sound more open, or more vulnerable. Nathaniel gave her a cocky grin. "I know. I'll miss you too."

"So till next time then."

"Till next time," He said, and gently extricated himself from her grip. Then Nathaniel walked off to join Tir'Ai'ni, his Circuit.

*Jade's POV*

Days later Silvara and I could be found at the local jeweler's, picking out settings for our new Jewels. Sarai would've liked to come with, but she had things to take care of at home. Ah, the downers of responsibility. Wait, there's an up side?

Silvie was looking to incorporate a little bit of the modern world into the traditional Dea al Mon setting. She said it was too overdone. So instead she just chose some of the symbolism that she felt applied to her. What she ended up with were antlers encompassing her Jewel, which would represent the moon. In silver, of course, because gold would just clash too much.

Myself, I had found the ultima-necklace. Pretty and useful. In a fight, I mean. A thick band of silver wrapped around my entire neck, making it hard for the enemy to decapitate me, and nearly impossible for them to pierce the jugular. Complicated knot designs decorated the outside. I loved it! I told him to make a matching ring.

He looked at me strangely and asked for my Jewel. The same happened to Silvara. So we both handed over our Jewels; hers an Ebon-Gray, and mine a Gray. Then we signed the order book and left.

"So do you think that guy's eyes could get any wider?" Silvie asked once we emerged into the sunlight.

"I know what you mean. Once he was the Jewels we wear he got real quiet."

"Jade," Silvara began, using that tone of voice usually reserved for simpletons, "His eyeballs looked like they were about to pop out." She rolled her eyes. I laughed, agreed, and we moved on.

Walking through the square it was the normal hustle and bustle. Women bargaining with shop keepers for a decent price on much-needed supplies. Children screamed and giggled while playing chase me, find me. Hard-working men went about their business, trying to earn the day's coppers.

I wondered how they could all be so singly devoted to one task. Perfectly focused. Not like me. I was so confused, I felt like I was being ripped apart, buried alive, drowning in secret-cold water. Keeping my cool facade was becoming more and more difficult with each passing day. Hell's fire, I'd even let Alex see me cry. Disgusting.

The pain was also increasing day by day. I had to do something, anything. But not right now. I still had a role to play out here. Soon though...soon.

*Tersa's POV*

The boy was here today. My grandson. Damien. Yes, that's his name.

We sat and had coffee with nutcakes. He babbled about his goings-ons at Morghann's court, but I was not listening. No, I was conversing with his soul. Poor thing was filled with a niggling worry, and a longing so profound it took my breath away. Like a black hole, it was slowly consuming every part of Damien.

I felt the familiar anxiousness enter my body. My vision misted over, and I was looking into the Twisted Kingdom again. I was aware of my body distantly, like some anchor, and felt my fingers twitching nervously. Around me, clues flew by at lightning speed, trying to tell me its message.

My body got up and walked into my workshop. Damien followed behind me like an anxious puppy. It reminded me of Silvara, my once-pupil. Now she had gone to learn from other teachers. I sat on my stool in front of an empty loom, waiting to be filled with my Widow's web. My hand began moving faster and faster, spinning...spinning the thread of life, the thread of past, present, and future, the thread of knowledge. Soon enough I was done.

When my vision cleared for me to read the web, I could not concentrate due to a certain grandson hovering over my shoulder. I snapped at him, "Sit down, boyo." Then I could focus on my foretelling.

Pictures flashed through my head and involuntarily I began talking. "Three years next, the silver moon will rise, bringing with it the shining star, and the deep, dark sky. With them shall come a healing wind, and from then the real story begins."

Mind reeling from what I had seen, I said to Damien, (who had been sitting open-mouthed, aghast), "Get out, child. Go home. I must contemplate this." He left me with my thoughts obediently, and here I am, still worrying, watching, waiting.





AN: Do you like my prophecy? I think it's pretty obvious... Well, review please.