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well.”
    She went to the crystalline fountain burbling with water and filled a metal pot carved with images of the Oracle. She set it on the tiny heating unit—a small puck with a switch.
    The bubbling sound started slowly before cascading into a rolling boil. Freddy turned the kettle off and sprinkled two pinches of the herbs into the formal pot. Some water on the grey-green herbs and the now-familiar smell curled into her nostrils.
    She counted to thirty and poured the tea into the small cup. A few ounces were all that was needed.
    She took the cup and sat on the freaky chair. With three short sips, she took in the tea and set the cup on a ledge that was just right for her purpose.
    She intoned, “Petitioner, come forward.”
    Ember stepped toward her and stopped in the groove worn by thousands of years of feet.
    “I wish to know of my future, Oracle.”
    “Touch my hand.”
    “Yes, Oracle.”
    Freddy extended her fingers, and the light touch from Ember sent a pulse through her mind.
     
    “You will walk alone until the day that you find the woman who fights and wins your heart. Jealousy will mark the day as your brother also wants to have her, but she will be yours alone.”
    “When?”
    “When the cleared moon grows a heart and the sun sees its shadow.”
     
    She sat up and blinked rubbing her eyes. “Was that what you wanted to know?”
    Ember grinned. “Yes. Too bad, I thought you were the one.”
    “Even with Rune eyeing me?”
    Ember cocked her head. “I could take him. Maybe. You look like you would nurse me back to health.”
    She smiled. “You are wrong, but I appreciate the thought.” Freddy flexed her hands. The urge to touch and explore with her jacked-up senses was hard to fight.
    She pivoted and hopped off her chair, walking around the crevice to where Ember was standing. The Guardian moved away as she approached and knelt.
    With a deep breath, Freddy pressed her hands to the worn grooves in the floor. Thousands of years of predictions flowed through her mind. She saw wars, weddings, deaths, children, arguments, lost treasure and souls looking for rest.
    Shuddering, she pulled her hands away from the stone.
    “What did you see?”
    Freddy met her gaze.
    Ember recoiled. “Your eyes!”
    “Did they do that thing again? They do that when I look too far.” She clenched her hands and got to her feet. “Apparently, the tea is like training wheels to get me started. I will eventually be able to see without it.”
    “Right, but what did you see?”
    Ember was bouncing around her in curiosity, but Freddy kept walking. It was hard to describe what she had seen.
    How could one describe their own future?
     

Chapter Three
     
     
    Her quarters were quiet, and the shawl that she found in her closet was comforting. Whether her clothing hadn’t shown up or it was considered incorrect for her station, she didn’t know. Sneed was with her and that was what mattered.
    She wrapped the shawl tightly around her and went in search of some tea without funny properties.
    Freddy found the kitchen and boiled the water while getting out the tea set. Weeks of training and she knew how to make tea blindfolded.
    It took her a bit of groping around to find what she needed, but when the water boiled, she was ready to add it to leaves that had a peachy scent.
    She poured the water and watched the colour spread.
    “I am surprised Ember has let you out of her sight.” Rune’s voice was low and amused.
    “She got overexcited and needed a nap.”
    “I see. What are you doing?”
    She looked toward the teapot. “Making tea. It is my default when I want to keep busy.”
    “Is there enough for two?” His expression was hopeful.
    “There is. Where should I set up?”
    He inclined his head. “Please, allow me.”
    He got a tray and set the teapot, cups and some biscuits on it before he lifted it and carried it out into a dining room with a wide, round table.
    He set the service out with practiced movements and pulled