My Tattered Bonds Read Online Free Page A

the light almost didn’t reach.  
    I knew I was in the right spot.   I knew it with unexplainable certainty.  
    Suddenly, a rolled parchment fell from the top shelf and landed at my feet.   Before I could even move, Cadmus bent and picked it up, untying the velvet string and unrolling the parchment.
    I watched his jaw tighten as he read the words inscribed on the page.   His beautiful dark eyes hardened and I felt the stirrings of dread.
    “What is it?” I whispered hesitantly.   He shook his head.  
    “It’s nothing.   This is just a silly premonition by someone we don’t even know…”
    The falcon fluttered from the top of a nearby bookcase and landed in front of us.
    “The Oracle of the Dead brought us this prophecy,” he told us.   “She has never been wrong, not even once.”
    “The Oracle prophesied this?” I asked tremulously.  
    The bird nodded once, his black eyes shining in the light. I gulped and held my hand out to Cadmus.   He didn’t move.
    “Cadmus,” I prompted.   He sighed and handed it to me.
     
     
    The Prophecy of The Chosen One
     
     
    She who will save Olympus and all that we know.
     
    Treacherous snakes will tremble beneath her fingers and the crown shall be restored.
     
    Despite great sadness and loss, she will prevail,
    As she alone holds the noblest and purest of hearts.
    The Chosen One will save everyone but perhaps herself.
     
    At what cost will order be restored?
    Will she perish in the flames of the Phoenix,
    Never to rise to the land of the living once more?
     
    Time will tell.  
     
    My breath caught in my throat as I read and Cadmus wrapped his arms around me, pressing his forehead to mine.
    “It means nothing,” he insisted.   “We choose our destiny, remember, Harmonia?   The Fates are imprisoned in the Underworld.   We choose our own fates now.   I will never allow anything to happen to you.   Do you understand?”
    I nodded to placate him, but my heart was racing.   
    “Time will tell,” I murmured.
    “No,” Cadmus said harshly.   “I can tell you right now.   This is not right.   We will be victorious, but you will be fine.   You have faced death already in Camelot.   Remember?   Perhaps that is what this is referring to.   You came back from that. You are fine.”
    I had a feeling that Camelot was not what this prophecy referred to, but I didn’t say it. Instead, I folded into Cadmus’ side and allowed him to hold me for just a moment.
    I closed my eyes and inhaled his strength, his scent, even his heart beat.   I picked up his hand and held it to my heart.
    “My love?”The anxiety in his voice pulled at my heart strings and I opened my eyes.  
    “I’m fine,” I assured him.    “I only need to see my mortal mother- and then I will be ready.”
    “Harmonia, we should talk about this prophecy further.   I don’t think—“
    I cut him off.
    “Cadmus, I’m fine. There is no use in talking about it.   Whatever happens will happen.   It is what it is.   I will not worry about it now- there are too many other things to be concerned with.”
    I nodded curtly at the falcon and strode across the room for the door.     As I entered the hall, I was met by Hecate.
    “You saw?” she raised her eyebrow.  
    “Yes,” I confirmed.
    “You’re fine?”
    “Yes.”
    “Good.   I know you would like to see your mother before we depart.   Come with me.”
    Without questioning her or how she knew that that was exactly what I had been intent on, Cadmus and I followed her to the courtyard to a small pond in the center. Koi swam leisurely in circles in the clear, cool water.   Hecate waved her hand and they froze.   The water rippled only once and then Calypso’s island appeared on the surface.
    My mortal mother, Allison Lockhart, was walking on a pristine beach with Calypso.   She was healthy and well, her dark hair blowing in the sea breeze as she laughed at something that Calypso said.  
    The island was clearly being