Shock races through Andrian's mind, sending his thoughts buzzing through his head. He'd been more sure than Rowan that the finfolk prophecy spoke of her, but the confirmation is still startling. And the other two girls as well? Why the three of them? He slumps into the armchair closest to the couch. He looks at Star, frowning.

"So what's your prophecy, then?"

Star glances at her friend. Andrian's frown deepens at this. If the prophecy is from Star's people, why is she looking at Wave? He opens his mouth to question just that, but Wave speaks.

"First of all, why am I the one who keeps having to say all the prophecies?" Star just shrugs. Wave sighs and continues. "Starry snow and flower blue, cross the sea and return home. Find the berry red of lost and forgotten magic. Once the three are bound, right the wrong of ancestors long unknown."

Andrian hadn't expected that he could have sunk into his seat further than he already had. It appears he was wrong. He sighs. "What does that mean?"

He closes his eyes for a moment, but they fly open again when he hears the sound of someone rising from the couch. It's Rowan. Her expression is calm and steady, but emotions are churning in her eyes. Andrian can see it, even from this distance. He knows her, her mannerisms, her strengths and weaknesses. Whatever it is, she has conflicting emotions about it. He sits up in his seat.

"Ro, what's wrong?"

Rowan doesn't say anything, she just steps around his chair. He twists to watch her, but she pushes on his shoulders. She doesn't need to speak for him to know what she wants. He twists back around again, looking at the other two girls. Rowan wraps her arms around him, reaching over the chair's back. It's a good thing that it's low to the ground, otherwise it would be a very awkward position for her. She rests her chin on his shoulder.

Andrian murmurs, "Is everything okay?"

Rowan gives him a minute shake of her head. "Not even close."

Her words send vibrations through his body. Andrian sighs. "D'you want to talk about it?"

Rowan turns her head to press her cheek against his neck. He can feel something wet. She's crying, trying to hold it in. He opens his mouth, but she makes a wordless sound of protest. She takes a shuddering breath.

"We have an idea about what the prophecy wants us to do."

Andrian hums in his throat. "And?"

"We think it wants us to break the kelpie curse. The selkie prophecy spoke of ancestors and the finfolk one of a curse. It makes sense."

"And you're scared of facing him."

Rowan shudders. "I know I shouldn't be, and I know how good it will be if we succeed, but it's just . . ."

Andrian twists to cup Rowan's cheeks. "Hey. Don't be ashamed of that. There's nothing wrong with not wanting to confront him. He's been trying to ruin your life since he found out about you."

"But An-"

His words come out as hard as steel, despite how softly he is speaking. The other girls don't need to hear this discussion. "No. Don't you dare be ashamed of your fear. It's okay to be afraid. Fear can make you strong. Just don't let it overwhelm you."

"But how can I beat him? How can I stop him? I've barely saved myself before, and I was lucky that I temporarily stopped him."

Andrian lets out a low laugh. "You did well. And Ro, stopping him temporarily is still stopping him. Besides, you have help now. And there's no guarantee you have to face him. If the prophecy says you are to break the curse and only that, there's still a chance you won't have to face him."

Rowan smiles weakly. Andrian restrains a disappointed sigh. He may not have made her feel entirely better, but he did make her feel better. Rowan looks over at the other girls.

"What do we do now?"

Star shrugs. "I suppose we'll be staying here for a while, so we might need to figure out a good place to camp. What time of day is it now?"

Rowan laughs brightly. "It doesn't matter. When we go through the passage again, it can be at the same time you arrived here. But you're going to camp?"

Star smiles. "Why not? I'm used to it. Wave might not be completely used to it, but-"

She's cut off when Wave lightly whacks her arm. "I'm fine with camping."

Rowan giggles. "I might know a good place, unless you're planning on staying here in the pocket realm."

Andrian winces. "That might not be a good idea. Wave will be fine here, but even if she doesn't touch anyone, it might not be safe for Star. Kelpies can still be compelled toward her."

Star smiles. "I think it's decided, then. Lead the way, if we're going now."

Rowan's hand tightens on Andrian's shoulder for a moment. He reaches for her hand and removes it from his shoulder, squeezing gently. "I'll still be here later. Go on, Ro."
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First of all, for anyone confused by the lack of chapter updates for the past two days, I had put an update on my profile convos. If you didn't see it, allow me to explain. I'm pulling back from posting every day because I'm still getting used to college and the workload. I don't have as much time to write, so I'm reducing the chapters from every day to weekdays(sounds strange, I just have some chapters saved up and it's easier to remember with the routine) with that said, while I do have chapters saved up, I'd like to not deplete the supply which would happen if I maintained the every day updates. I want to have backups. Okay, that was long and my brain is broken. On to the fun stuff.

What did you think of the chapter? Where is Rowan going to take Kyma and Astrila? What's going to happen next? Tell me your thoughts!

Happy reading and I'll see you next chapter!

~Goddess of Fate, signing out.