“Uncle—” Scimina began, but Nahadoth jerked her leash to silence her. Dekarta glanced once in her direction, then away.
“You have another heir, Dekarta,” I said. “He’s clever and competent, and I believe he’s strong enough—though he will not thank me for recommending him.”
I smiled to myself, seeing without eyes through the layers of Sky. Within, the palace was not so very different. Bark and branches had replaced the pearly Skystuff in places, and some of the dead spaces had been filled with living wood. But even this simple change was enough to terrify the denizens of Sky, highblood and low alike. At the heart of the chaos was T’vril, marshaling the palace’s servants and organizing an evacuation.
Yes, he would do nicely.
Dekarta’s eyes widened, but he knew an order when he heard one. He nodded, and in return, I touched him and willed his hip whole and his heart stable. That would keep him alive a few days longer—long enough to see the transition through.
“I… I don’t understand,” said the human Naha, as the godly version and I got to our feet. He looked deeply shaken. “Why have you done this? What do I do now?”
I looked at him in surprise. “Live,” I said. “Why else do you think I put you here?”
There was much more to be done, but those were the parts that mattered. You would have enjoyed all of it, I think—righting the imbalances triggered by your death, discovering existence anew. But perhaps there are interesting discoveries to be had where you’ve gone, too.
It surprises me to admit it, but I shall miss you, Enefa. My soul is not used to solitude.
Then again, I will never be truly alone, thanks to you.
Sometime after we left Sky and Itempas and the mortal world behind, Sieh took my hand. “Come with us,” he said.
“Where?”
Nahadoth touched my face then, very gently, and I was awed and humbled by the tenderness in his gaze. Had I earned such warmth from him? I hadn’t—but I would. I vowed this to myself, and lifted my face for his kiss.
“You have much to learn,” he murmured against my lips when we parted. “I have so many wonders to show you.”
I could not help grinning like a human girl. “Take me away, then,” I said. “Let’s get started.”
So we passed beyond the universe, and now there is nothing more to tell.
Of this tale, anyhow.
APPENDIX
1
A Glossary of Terms
Altarskirt rose: A rare, specially bred variety of white rose, highly prized.
Amn: Most populous and powerful of the Senmite races.
Arameri: Ruling family of the Amn; advisors to the Nobles’ Consortium and the Order of Itempas.
Arrebaia: Capital city of Darr.
Blood sigil: The mark of a recognized Arameri family member.
Bright, the: The time of Itempas’s solitary rule after the Gods’ War. General term for goodness, order, law, rightness.
Darkling: Those races that adopted the exclusive worship of Itempas only after the Gods’ War, under duress. Includes most High Northern and island peoples.
Darr: A High North nation.
Dekarta Arameri: Head of the Arameri family.
Demon: Children of forbidden union s between gods/godlings and mortals. Extinct.
Enefa: One of the Three. The Betrayer. Deceased.
Enefadeh: Those who remember Enefa.
Gods: Immortal children of the Maelstrom. The Three.
Godling: Immortal children of the Three. Sometimes also referred to as gods.
Gods’ Realm: Beyond the universe.
Gods’ War: An apocalyptic conflict in which Bright Itempas claimed rulership of the heavens after defeating his two siblings.
Heavens, Hells: Abodes for souls beyond the mortal realm.
Heretic: A worshipper of any god but Itempas. Outlawed.
High North: Northernmost continent. A backwater.
Hundred Thousand Kingdoms: Collective term for the world since its unification under Arameri rule.
Irt: An island nation.
Islands, the: Vast archipelago east of High North and Senm.
Itempan: General term for a worshipper of Itempas. Also used to refer to members of the Order of Itempas.
Itempas: One of the Three. The Bright Lord; master of heavens and earth; the Skyfather.
Ken: Largest of the island nations, home to the Ken and Min peoples.
Kinneth Arameri: Only daughter of Dekarta Arameri.
Kurue: A godling, also called the Wise.
Lift: A magical means of transportation within Sky; a lesser version of the Vertical Gates.
Maelstrom: The creator of the Three. Unknowable.
Magic: The innate ability of gods and godlings to alter the material and immaterial world. Mortals may approximate this ability through the use of the gods’ language.
Menchey: A High North nation.
Mortal realm: The universe, created by the Three.
Nahadoth: One of the Three. The Nightlord.