Annalise

Aaron has never yelled at me like that before. We’ve argued, but it’s usually over silly things, and we make up quickly. He won’t even see me, right now. I could order him to, but I know that would just make him more angry.

But I needed to talk to someone, and my gut said who so I hurried quickly to the apartment I needed. I knocked on the door and Raymond opened it and sighed.

“He’s not really, uh,” he started, “well, I doubt he’d want to see you.” My face dropped.

“Of course,” I mumbled, “but you’ll tell him.” He nodded. I turned to leave and then paused. “Raymond,” I said softly, “what can you tell me about the wheel?” He sighed, smirked and shook his head.

“Tricky,” he mumbled, “come in.” I laughed and we sat down at the long table near the windows, it was covered in books and papers.

“Lefty and Eric must love this,” I grinned. He rolled his eyes.

“Lefty is barely ever here, he’s usually at the manor,” he pointed out, “and Eric has had other things on his mind.” I nodded. He pulled out a large book. “I took this from the university library.”

“You aren’t enrolled yet,” I chastised him.

“Hm, yes, that’s true,” he mumbled, flipping through it. “Here,” he slid it to me. “The wheel is theorized, or visualized a number of ways, but it’s most likely closer to a spinning wheel than a cart wheel.” I nodded.

“I know that,” I said.

“And now we know it’s in the Westran Desert, most likely,” he said. I nodded. “But that’s not the most interesting part.” I wanted to giggle, seeing him so excited. “When The Sword Of The Goddess,”

“Present,” I mumbled. He nodded.

“Frees the gods,” he continued. “Threads of time will be cut off.” I nodded. “That means some fates will be changed, some left with only one path to walk.” I swallowed. “Not all, obviously, but some.”

“Oh,” I said. “So I’ll be dooming people to fate, removing their will?” He exhaled.

“I didn’t think of it that way,” he said.

“No,” I said softly, “you were thinking theoretically, which is exciting, but well.” He nodded. “Are you alright?”

“Randolph has decided to go back to Phania,” he mumbled, “I didn’t think,” I bit my bottom lip. “I can’t go back, I have a future here.” I smiled gently at him.

“I’m sorry, Raymond,” I said softly. He shrugged. “But I am glad you’ve decided to stay.” The door cracked open.

“Ray,” Eric called out weakly, and staggered, he looked a little pale, and certainly more disheveled than I’d ever seen him, “do you have more of that ginger stuff,” he stopped seeing me. “What are you doing here?”

“Visiting my cousin,” I said. He nodded. Raymond stood up and walked to another table and grabbed a bottle handing it to him. “You’re not feeling well?”

“A penetrating insight,” Eric muttered, “the fate of the gods is clearly in the right hands.” I frowned.

“There’s no reason to be nasty,” I mumbled.

“I think I have every reason to be nasty,” he said. “I’m going back to bed. Thanks for the potion, Raymond.”

“Sure,” Raymond said softly as he left. I collapsed on the chair. “He’ll get over it. He wouldn’t be this upset if he didn’t actually care about you.” I frowned at him. “I should tell you something.”

“Regarding?” I raised an eyebrow.

“I’ve been having Dreams,” he said. I nodded. “From Amina.” I exhaled.

“Oh,” I said softly. “What did she promise you?”

“It doesn’t matter,” he said, “I know it’s a poisoned promise.” I smiled at him. “But I thought you should know.” I put my hand on his.

“Raymond,” I said softly, “what did she promise you?” He swallowed. “Me it was Caleb,” he turned and looked at me, “whole, and alive again. At my side, helping me, like I thought he always would.” He looked down.

“Karina,” he said softly, “on the throne, and I’d be by her side, trusted, not tolerated.” I nodded.

“You have that here,” I said softly. He smiled and nodded.

“I know that,” he said, “that’s why I’m telling you.” I laughed. “Do you know what it was for Brayton?”

“Not precisely,” I said softly, “but my mother probably. And then Marina after her.” I received weekly notices from Mastero Anselm regarding Brayton in Dovetail. His health was improving, he still seemed sharp and vaguely amused by his circumstances, as if he knew they were temporary.

“Amina loves chaos, it fills her realm,” he said softly, “playing on people’s personal desires, that plays into that.” I swallowed and nodded. “You’ll be fine, Annalise, it will all happen as it’s supposed to go.”

I stood up and walked carefully back to my rooms. Harran was already waiting for me. I knew it was wrong but I fell into him and then my bed, it felt safe and comfortable.