Eyes of Ember (Imdalind Series #2)(77)

“We can feel him.” The remaining Drak in the hall stood in unison as they spoke as one. Their voices echoed around me and I jumped a bit at the intensity of the sound.

“He wishes to know,” Sain said, his voice deep and rumbling.

“Know of his future,” said another.

“Know of his heart.”

“Shall we tell him?”

“Shall we give him sight?”

“He is the only one who can see, the only one who understands.”

“That is why he has come, come to see us.”

I spun around as each voice spoke, their voices coming in quick succession. Each of the Drak stood still, their eyes black centered with glowing embers of color as they looked beyond their own sight and into the Black Water.

“He has come.” I turned toward my Father at his announcement, as all of the Draks’ eyes shifted from black to their normal multi-colored array. I looked around them, unsurprised to see Dramin standing to the left of my Father.

I waited, my nerves on edge, wondering what was happening, what they were talking about. No one in the Hall of Sight moved. Their eyes focused on the door that stood behind me, their gaze deep and unwavering. I heard the creak of the oversized door as it was opened, another gasp escaping me when Ilyan walked through.

Although he looked different, I knew it was him. I would recognize him anywhere. In my head I pieced together why this seemed so familiar – I had seen him walk into this room in my first sight.

His hair was short and cut above his ears, the blonde strands were darker and waved slightly against his head. I had seen his hair short once before, but somehow this look was different. The change was becoming, his features more defined. And, dare I say it, he looked... gorgeous.

He walked in quickly, his eyes strong and yet nervous. He wore the same clothing I had seen him wear for council, the long tunic, high boots, and ornate jewels all firmly in place. And yet, I had the distinct impression that this was not some special attire, this was the clothing of the time.

Dramin’s words of Ilyan having waited eight hundred years echoed through my head. Eight hundred years ago would make it around the year 1200, and Ilyan would be a little over two hundred years old. My jaw dropped as the numbers sprang to life in my mind.

Ilyan marched in, before falling to one knee, his head bowed against his hand. He said nothing. He stayed like that while all of the Drak looked at him. I was frozen in place, my eyes glued to Ilyan’s back, waiting for something to happen. Finally, after a few minutes, Sain stepped off of his throne and toward Ilyan, who still did not move.

“Welcome, My Lord.” Sain greeted him warmly, his pleasure at seeing him echoing around the large cavern. Ilyan rose at Sain’s words, and I was surprised to find his eyes bloodshot.

“You know why I have come?” Ilyan asked, his head rising about a foot above Sain’s.

“How could I not?” Sain smiled sadly and took Ilyan’s hand, leading him toward the pool of Black Water that stood in the middle of the hall. I reluctantly followed, my skin prickling with nerves.

“Tell me, how did you survive for so long?” Ilyan’s voice was so pained, it cut straight into me. Sain smiled at him sadly, patting his hand softly.

“You of all people know that I did not manage it easily. If I had then we would not have my lovely Dramin, and I would not be bonded to your sister. My life is full now, but only after many centuries of waiting.” Sain’s voice was not sad as it echoed around the stone chamber, if anything it was full of acceptance and comfort. It was a voice from my childhood; I had heard it with every scraped knee or tumble. The tone of his voice reminded me of home.

“I know, but still...” Ilyan trailed off and he hung his head, looking into the still water that did not show him his reflection. None of the other Drak moved, their eyes stayed focused on Ilyan and Sain.

“You are lonely,” Sain finished for him confidently. Ilyan nodded once, his eyes glistening with tears, which he tried in vain to hold back.

“I feel lost. My heart breaks for someone I have never even met, someone who may never exist. I cannot weave my magic with someone without causing them injury. I am beginning to believe that the joy of a Z?lství will never be in my future.”

I took a step toward him, wishing I could console him somehow. I had to remind myself that this was a memory. Ilyan wiped the tears from his face before raising his head to Sain. My Father wrapped his arms around him comfortingly.

“Would it help you to know that I have felt your pain?”

“That is why I have come to you. I knew you would understand.” Ilyan clapped my father on the shoulder hard, causing him to lose his balance, both men chuckling at the stumble.

“And yet you still wish to use the sight to see into your future?” Sain asked, his tone curious and worried.

I found myself growing concerned about what exactly I was about to see. I had been told this was the sight about my true purpose, but Ilyan was asking about his love life. Cail’s words about Ilyan’s feelings for me shot through me, my body freezing in fear that the two things might be connected.

“Yes. I would gladly wait until the end of days if only I knew that she would be waiting for me, that someday I would be with her.”

“The future does not always hold hope, Ilyan. What would you do if no one will ever come into this world for you?” Sain moved away from Ilyan and around the pool before facing Ilyan from the other side. The Water began to ripple between them, and yet, their reflections still did not shine on the dark surface.