"Thank you, Verity. I know it can't have been easy to hold on," I said sincerely.
Her face fell. "No, don't. I owed it to you. When Fate called me, I...I thought I could make a difference. I thought that I, as silly as it sounds, might be able to lead this world to the dawn."
Her eyes glistened, glowing softly as they brimmed with tears.
"But I wasn't enough. The gods didn't need a guiding star. They didn't want to bring hope to the hopeless. They wanted power. They wanted you. And I was just their means to accomplish that."
"Verity--"
"Don't, Xiviyah. I'm not worthy of your pity. It was my ability that prolonged this war. I've caused you so much hurt and suffering. Every time they ambushed you, every time they managed to break past your defenses, that was me. And I thought I was a hero for it. Soltair said--" she broke off, closing her eyes. A single tear ran down her cheek. "I thought he loved me. He encouraged me, taught me how to be a hero, and even made love to me, but..."
