stood, the Aeternae were the strongest and most influential across three planets. Losing that edge would’ve put them at risk. It would’ve likely brought them closer to the level of the Rimians and the Naloreans. So they took chances, focused on quarantine protocols and hoped that as many of the Aeternae as possible would survive the next Black Fever.
“Perhaps we might be of assistance, should such a horrible day come again on Visio,” Derek said, changing the subject. “Amal here isn’t the only brilliant mind of our world. Her sister is just as sharp, and together they’re practically unstoppable.”
I’d almost forgotten this key aspect of Amal and Amane’s relationship. Ta’Zan had made them as two genius halves of an even more extraordinary whole. The closer they were to one another, the more capable and powerful their brains were. Taken separately, the twins were more than enough to find a cure for a deadly plague. Together, however, I had little doubt that they could, in fact, develop the right treatment that would eradicate the Black Fever forever.
“Provided our relationship stays friendly, I don’t see why not,” Valaine replied. “I’m sure our people would welcome putting a stop to this nightmare. It’s bad enough the Aeternae struggle to have children. Imagine losing them to this.”
That was all I could do. Imagine what devastation the Black Fever could leave in its wake. Looking at Valaine, I noticed how deeply she cared about this. I wondered if she’d lost someone she loved to this disease, but the topic was far too sensitive for me to broach so early in our acquaintance.
There was something about her that made me tick in ways I’d never thought possible. At the same time, Valaine also made me feel… uneasy. It was rather difficult for me to understand why. She had this aura about her, a presence of her own, so intense, so chilling, that it seemed to have been made of shadows. Was I the only one who got this sensation from her? I’d have to check with Esme. It can’t be just my instincts flaring, here.
Valaine was, undoubtedly, the most beautiful creature I’d ever laid eyes upon. Her reserved nature made her into a mystery that I was dying to unravel. She also came across as highly intelligent, though not keen on showing off this particular side of her—it enticed me even more, as I’d always had an appreciation for brilliant minds. She was different. Different from us. Different even from the Aeternae.
Her long leather dress hugged her figure in all the right places, with a silver chain running across her torso. It kept a black velvet cape hanging from her shoulders. From an aesthetic and sartorial point of view, Valaine was as much an Aeternae as the others. But her face, her expression, her dark eyes, they made her seem otherworldly.
A secret of Visio which I had to understand. How had she even come to be, in the first place?
Esme
Kalon and Valaine brought us to our quarters after the palace tour. I knew there were plenty of areas we’d yet to explore in this sprawling building, but I figured they didn’t want us poking our noses everywhere.
Agreeing to meet later, the two Aeternae left us to our own devices. Tristan and I had been given separate rooms, and mine was absolutely breathtaking. A spacious apartment, complete with a wide lounge area and an airy bedroom, it offered views of the north side of the city. The sky turned purplish red at sunset, quickly darkening as the evening spread across the realm. Thousands of houses and small villas fit neatly along the snaking alleyways. Trees poked out from everywhere, their rich green crowns swelling and casting deep shades beneath.
Lights came on in the streetlamps that lined every street. It seemed like afternoons were darker here on Visio—perhaps because of the haze. Workers had been tasked with refilling the oils and candles used to keep them burning through the evening. From my window, I could see them moving around the palace. One pulled the cart around, filled with oil pots, burners, and candles, while the other carried the ladder and used it to climb up to the top of every streetlamp. There were hundreds of such working pairs, all over the city. One by one, the fires lit up, their amber glow spreading.
Turning around, I gave myself a moment to admire the embroidered wallpaper depicting a lake at twilight, shades of dark red and orange glimmering beneath a