“For more power, then. Just like all other men.”
“What? No! That’s not—” I stopped myself. Because he was speaking the truth, wasn’t he? There was a reason I was gathering the dragons of Verania, aside from a prophecy. I felt stronger after I had them at my side. I felt… powerful. “Okay, look. It’s not like—”
“And he has risen,” Dimitri ranted. “And now you have been marked for consumption. You’re lucky to have survived once, Sam of Wilds. How you did, I will never know. But do not mistake that for anything more than it is. You were lucky. When the shadows begin to spread, apprentice, it becomes evident that gods have little time for mortal men.”
And a memory burst through the chaos of my mind, rising and—
The Great White. I’ve heard the stories. Tell me. When did you last see him?
He is not your concern. Gods have little time for mortal men.
But he’s not a god. His clock ticks just like yours and mine. It may tick slower and longer, but it still ticks.
The Dark Woods are deep. I can see far.
How far?
Your human mind could never understand.
Specifics.
I am specific. You’re just choosing not to listen.
You never do anything without a price, Dimitri.
That is true. A bit of advice. Stay out of the Dark Woods. There are things far worse than myself.
I’m not afraid. Of you or anything else. I have proven time and time again that I am more than capable of handling myself.
Chaos always rises from complacency. I like you, Sam. You are not like the others. I’ve always been able to see that. There is something inside of you that burns differently than anyone who has come before. I thought to harness it for myself, but I won’t be the one to force it. But remember. The Dark Woods are known to you now. And you are known to them.
—the words from that long-ago day in the forest echoed in stunning clarity.
“You knew,” I breathed.
The fairies fell silent.
Dimitri cocked his head at me.
I held my tunic in my hands as I took a step toward him. “That day. In the Dark Woods. When we were going to rescue the Prince. We discussed the Great White. And you warned me. You told me that chaos rises. You knew.”
“I am of the Dark Woods,” he said stiffly. “I know many things. Like when magic burns part of the forest away in a burst of life. Tell me, Sam. How did you do it?”
“Is it alive?”
“The bird you brought back to life?” he mocked. “Really, Sam. How could I possibly know that?”
How did he know about— “The Great White.”
“Should it matter to you?”
“You owe me.”
He laughed. “And how do you figure that, apprentice? You have done nothing but make a mockery of me and my court. You do not respect the ways of the—”
“You were supposed to guard the seal to the shadow realm that held Myrin.”
“Oh snap,” Tiggy said.