Prologue

"You cannot deny your path!"

Faiza is jolted awake by the same message that continues to haunt her mind. She's finally been sleeping better than she's ever slept before. Except for that repetitive disruption. She slowly sits up in their shared bed. She was sure he'd be gone by now. But they've been by each other's side every day for the past year. And she's never wanted anything different. She moves to the edge of the bed and reaches for her pitcher of water. She feels his fingertips trace the scars on her back. His touch, the perfect mix of masculinity and gentleness.

"I never thought I'd feel this close to anyone," he begins. She looks over her shoulder at him, and the word slips out,

"Else?" He slowly moves his eyes to hers. She can read his irritation. He rolls onto his back and stares at the ceiling.

"Hm." She knows she's spoiled the moment but can't figure out how to redeem it. She pulls her dark curls into a tight bun on the top of her head, takes in a deep breath, and pushes out her own annoyance. He sits up and reaches out to lightly pull on the section of hair that she's kept hidden. The snow-white hue pushes him to question,

"The Changes?" Faiza nods and looks at the floor. He turns her towards him and lifts her chin. "You too?"

"Yes."

"Why do you hide it?"

"It reminds me of failure. They said I wasn't like the others. That they had only known one other who could withstand the trials as I had." She lifts an eyebrow and tilts her head. He catches on and smiles proudly. She pushes him back and lays her head on his chest. "It was another choice I made against my uncle's will. It was the worst pain I had ever endured, but pain I knew I could survive. But my uncle's belief in me was contrary to my own and I never completed it. He thought he would lose me."

"That's not failure. It's strength," he says as he runs his fingers through her coils. She looks up to find his eyes moving quickly across her face like he's trying to find out more. "That's why your eyes..." Faiza nods. "What color were they before?"

"They were black as night," she repeats her uncle's description, "Just like my mother's. Until then. That was only the beginning. Who knows what color they would have been had I finished?" Geralt sits her up, rests his forehead on hers, and places his hand on the back of her neck. He closes his eyes and lets out a light breath. She holds on to his wrist and closes hers too.

"The things I learn when we actually talk." He laughs and presses his lips to hers.

The two leave the small cottage they found during a hunt near Peixe de Mar.

"This is the first time your Sight has separated us since Caingorn," Geralt says as he straps his things to Roach.

"I know. I don't want it any more than you do, but it's never been wrong," Faiza replies as she does the same with Amina. Although no one would be able to tell by his tone, Faiza can feel his disappointment. Or maybe it's her own. She tries to add optimism to the heaviness of the moment. "And besides, neither contract should keep us too long."

"Hm." He pulls her arm to turn her towards him and looks deeply into her eyes. He rests his forehead on hers. "Remember. Things aren't always what they seem in Brokilon." Faiza nods. "Maybe I sho—" She pulls away and pushes his chest.

"You don't think I can handle myself?" Geralt smirks and pulls her back into him.

"I know you can."

"Good. Besides...the people of Toussaint seem to really need your help." He lifts her chin and kisses her deeply. She pushes into him returning his affection. When they disconnect, he looks at her.

"Take the shortest route through Brugge. I'll do the same along the Amell Pass."

"You know I like the coast," she retorts.

"Just...hurry." She smiles.

"Stop telling me what to do."

They ride in their separate directions. She struggles to keep from looking over her shoulder. She gives in and turns to find that he's given in too. She presses her fingertips to her lips and raises her hand for him to see. He does the same and they ride until they can no longer see one another. She turns to focus on her journey and darkness washes over her. She searches her surroundings with one hand on her dagger and the other on Amina's reins. The vision of the storm over the Skellige ships plays in her mind and she picks up the thunderous sound of an army's march. She searches the road, but no signs emerge of what she hears.

On her second day, she passes through Cintra and remembers racing to the gates during the banquet that was held for Calanthe's late daughter, Pavetta.

"She would have made a powerful queen," Faiza says to herself. She feels a strong pull of Geralt's presence. She knows that he isn't close, but he isn't far. A vision shows Geralt holding a Druid man hostage while eight men surround them. She stops her ride and tries to figure out where he is and how she can get to him. She's seen the Druid's face before. He was at the banquet, as well. She debates with herself about stopping in a tavern to wait it out. She slows when she reaches a nearby stable, but as she dismounts she hears,

"You cannot deny your path!" The voice makes every muscle in her body tighten. It's louder than it's been before. Stronger. She wrestles with herself. Stay for Geralt? Or answer what is calling?

"He has a destiny of his own." She Sees Geralt and the man teleport themselves out of danger. She drops her head and lets out a relieved sigh as she pulls herself back onto her horse.

While riding by the castle, she spots a child run out to a group to play a game in the courtyard. She can tell the child is dressed as something they are not. A little girl? Wanting to be accepted by the boys perhaps? Faiza can't shake that there's much more to her than that. As she rides past the group, the little girl looks up at her and Faiza sees it. The resemblance is one that cannot be denied. She is Pavetta's daughter. She can feel an untapped source of power emanating from her. One as strong as her mother's, if not stronger. Faiza and the little girl stare at one another until one of the boys gets her attention.

Faiza rides on as she Sees pieces of the heated conversation between Geralt and Queen Calanthe. It's about the child. The child she's just seen. It's his Child Surprise. She can See the deception in the Queen's eyes as she promises the little girl to him. Faiza watches the Queen as she interacts with the decoy, allowing her to go say good-bye to her friends. She squeezes her eyes shut in hopes to push her knowledge to Geralt. She hopes that he can feel her desperate attempt to let him know that he is being deceived. She focuses through Geralt's eyes as he follows her direction. Faiza watches as he discovers the decoy curtseying at the little girl that she had seen before.

Just outside of Nastrog, Faiza feels the darkness move over her again. She looks off the coast and sees the storm that she had witnessed in her visions. She squeezes her eyes, bows her head, and looks out at the sea again. Skellige ships are being torn apart just as they had been before. She knows nothing good will come of what she is witnessing. She decides to return to Cintra, but Amina continues on the path to Brokilon, no matter how hard she tries to guide her in the other direction. She jumps down and pulls on her reins. Nothing.

"This way!" She fights with her, but Amina doesn't budge. On the border of Verden and Brokilon, Faiza sees it. The Unicorn that had called her to Hochebuz. Faiza walks in front of Amina and confronts it,

"What have you done to my horse!?" The irritation of the last few minutes causes Faiza's breathing to be ragged and light tears form in her eyes. The Unicorn stares at her. "There will be war in Cintra! I have to go back!"

"Go back for who? For Cintra? Or for him?" Faiza stares at the Unicorn, her chest moving up and down heavily. She doesn't answer. She lowers her eyes and wipes the single tear that escaped.

"I saw what they've done to the Skellige ships. That wasn't nature. That was magic." The Unicorn turns its back and walks towards the edge of the wooded borders.

"And so, it was." Faiza clenches her jaw and follows.

They walk as far as the Yda River where the Unicorn stops and rests. Faiza releases Amina to do the same, walks to the riverbank, and sits on her knees. She stares out at the flowing water. For the first time in a long time, she feels completely helpless.

"Close your eyes. Meditate as you were taught." Faiza looks at the Unicorn who's staring out at the water too. She straightens her back and crosses her hands in her lap. "See what you want to see." Faiza closes her eyes. "Who you want to see." She Sees Geralt sitting in the same position. She looks around and notices that he's sitting in a cell. The Cintran's have turned against him. "He can hear you," the Unicorn says low, "His meditation is focused on you."

Faiza positions herself in front of Geralt. She stares at him. How peaceful he looks in such a turbulent situation. She reaches out and places her hand on his. A smirk moves slowly across his face as he slowly opens his eyes and looks into hers.

"You found me," he says low.

"Of course." He reaches out and places his hand on her cheek. "I want to come to you." Geralt takes her hands.

"Don't. This city will fall. Calanthe refuses to listen." Faiza nods.

"She tried to send you away with the wrong child."

"You led me to her?" Geralt chuckles. "I should have known it was you. You are getting stronger." Faiza smiles proudly.

"I'm just glad you listened." Faiza furrows her brows as she remembers. "Eist's ships were destroyed."

"Hm."

"Killing monsters was so much easier than this. I just want to go back to that time." Geralt lays his forehead on hers. They breathe deeply, trying to take each other in through the veil. Faiza closes her eyes and drops her head.

"What is it?" he asks. She squeezes his hands. She wants to hold on as tight as she can but gives her warning,

"Eist has fallen on the battlefield. The Queen is wounded. Nilfgaard is near. Find your Child Surprise. You have to leave. NOW!"

Just as she warns him, their connection is lost. She can hear the Nilfgaardinan army at the Cintran walls and Sees Geralt disarm a knight and free himself. Faiza's heart is pounding. She stands to her feet and begins to load her things onto Amina.

"This isn't your fight," the Unicorn says as it stands to its feet.

"I can't sit here and let him die!"

"You have no faith in him?" Faiza stops and turns to the Unicorn.

"I never said that."

"In your consistent attempts to rush to him, you are clearly saying that." Faiza's shoulders drop. "He will never fulfill is destiny with you at his side." The Unicorn's words pierce her heart.

"His destiny? You mean the child?" The Unicorn lowers its head slowly in confirmation. "I can help him raise her. I can help him guide her."

"You cannot. The two that are to guide the young girl have already been chosen." Tears burn Faiza's eyes as she listens. She already knows who the Unicorn speaks of.

"Yennefer." The Unicorn lowers its head again. "But she doesn't lo—"

"That is none of your concern. Your concern should be that of your own destiny. If you do not fulfill it, other kingdoms will fall." Faiza wants to scream at the top of her lungs about how much she doesn't care about the other kingdoms, but she remains silent. "You care," the Unicorn responds. "Especially if that kingdom is your own."

"I don't have a kingdom."

"You do. It is yours by birth. But you will never lay claim to it if you do not follow your own path."

"And what if I don't want it?"

"Then many of your people will die." Faiza drops to her knees. "You have to let him go."

"We can't let go."

"He can." Faiza looks to the Unicorn who is looking directly in her eyes. She quickly covers her ears when she hears a loud shriek,

"NOOOO!" She looks quickly at the Unicorn who turns its head to look in the direction of Cintra. The Unicorn confirms,

"I heard it too."

Faiza meditates and watches as Cintra burns. She can hear the screams of the people. Their footsteps as they scatter along the grounds. She searches relentlessly for Geralt. She finds him, and through his eyes, she Sees Queen Calanthe fall to her death. She pushes the message to him,

"Go find the Child." She Sees him go back into the castle to find the little girl, taking out anyone that stands in his way. He confronts a Nilfgaardian soldier, offering him a chance to save himself if he tells him what he wants to know. The soldier tells him that no one has survived and begins to recite,

"Thus, it shall be. Watch for the signs. What signs these shall be I say unto—". She hears Geralt's dagger enter the man's throat before he is done. The soldier's words cause Faiza's skin to tighten. She feels trapped. Like vines have risen from the ground and enveloped her. She tries to disconnect herself from her Sight, but to no avail. The wind begins to blow erratically. She hears a voice. A voice of the past. Faiza's eyes open involuntarily but she can't see the forest around her. Only blinding light. The voice begins to speak through her,

"Verily I say unto you, the era of the sword and axe is nigh, the era of the wolf's blizzard. The Time of the White Chill and the White Light is nigh, the Time of Madness and the Time of Contempt: Tedd Deireádh, the Time of End. The world will die amidst frost and be reborn with the new sun. It will be reborn of Elder Blood, of Hen Ichaer, of the seed that has been sown. A seed which will not sprout but burst into flame.

Ess'tuath esse! Thus, it shall be! Watch for the signs! What signs these shall be, I say unto you: first the earth will flow with the blood of Aen Seidhe, the Blood of Elves..." Faiza is finally able to pull herself out of what kept her hostage. Desperately trying to catch her breath. She crawls to the riverbank and pulls water to her mouth. She looks over at the Unicorn, who is now standing over her.

"What the hell was that!?"

"The prophecy of Ithlinne."

Faiza sits with her hands over her face as the Unicorn explains to her why she can hear the voices of the past and how she can See.

"I have Elven blood?" The Unicorn nods.

"Among other things."

"So, not only—"

"Yes," the Unicorn interrupts.

"But, I have Elven blood."

"This is why you must stay on the path that has been laid before you." Faiza moves her eyes to the Unicorn. "If you and Geralt stay connected, the destiny's that fall to you both will never be achieved."

"So...I mean...I'm not a Source...am I?"

"No." Faiza releases the breath she was holding. Her shoulders drop.

"I truly felt that he was my destiny," she whispers. Faiza's heart grows heavy.

"If it is so, then it will come to pass." Faiza raises her eyebrow. "I did not say that your path ended with this journey." The Unicorn playfully scoffs, "That is what's wrong with you humans. You only see what's right in front of you. There can be much more than one journey within your lifetime." Faiza chuckles but allows its words to seep in. The only words she has in return,

"Don't call me human."

After hours of wrestling with her heart, Faiza allows the Unicorn's insight to push her to a decision. They stand in front of one another, staring into each other's minds.

"You have to be forthcoming with your thoughts so that I may clear his mind." Faiza clenches her fists at the Unicorn's words. "Stop fighting. You have to let him go." Faiza's bottom lip begins to tremble. She flows through the moments that she and Geralt shared. The entire journey that led to their deep affection for one other. His touch. His voice. Their arguments. Their kisses. Their connection. She can See Geralt riding towards their cottage in Peixe de Mar. Him heading back with no child. She watches as he dismounts Roach, settling him in his stable. He looks over at Amina's empty stall.

"Faiza?" He calls out. Tears stream down Faiza's face as she stares into the Unicorn's eyes. "Faiza!" Geralt pushes the front door open.

"It is done," the Unicorn says.

"FAI—" She watches as Geralt catches himself. He looks around the cottage with confusion on his face. Faiza allows the tears to run as she watches who he once searched for be stripped from his memory.

Faiza falls to the ground. Regret filling her.

"He has to find the child," the Unicorn reminds her. Faiza looks up at the Unicorn, anger covering her face. "Tell him to find the child."

"How!? You've taken him from me!"

"He can still hear you." The words take Faiza by surprise. She composes herself when she realizes that there is still a connection. She positions herself for meditation. She taps into him, this time faster than she's ever done before. She smiles as she Sees him moving around their cottage, touching her things with a sense of familiarity, but he can't place his knowledge. He runs his fingers along her pillow. He picks it up and pulls in her scent with the deepest inhale.

"Hm."

"Tell him," the Unicorn startles her, but she does as it says.

"Geralt. My lo—" She stops herself. She watches his reaction as she knows he hears her. "You must go back and find the child. She is searching for you." She watches as he hurriedly gathers his things and walks out of the cottage for what once was the "Jewel of the North". Faiza smiles at their glimmer of hope.