It was very hot outside the ship. Destiny sailed at an incredible speed as the wind was in our favor - something that was attributed to the fact that Dominic could control it at will. Heath spent most of the afternoon at the helm while listening to music on the record player and I stayed in the library reading books about navigation, geography, and physics. I managed to finish five books, over three hundred pages each, in one day - which, according to Joseph, was absurd, but was one of the Descendants abilities. He and Dominic stayed on the deck “looking at the landscape”. Heath and I knew they were just continuing the discussion that started over lunch.

"Two children" Heath muttered constantly.

I simply chose to ignore it.

The clock struck half past five when the island of Toedo was sighted. Although I did not sleep, I was not tired at all. We had to bypass the island before anchoring, fleeing the main port, to avoid any unnecessary contact with the Navy.

Toedo was as beautiful as Lyrus, in my opinion. According to Dominic, the city was small, and few people lived there. The place was best known as a “trading point” for smugglers, pirates and even corrupt military personnel. There was no sign of life where we were, except for a forest that stretched on the banks of a huge river.

From Joseph's explanations, in the two days we intended to stay there, we would only go to the city once to buy supplies and the remaining time would be spent on our training.

After settling in, Joseph and Dominic spent the rest of the afternoon going over the plans with Heath and me. Each time Christopher Abel's name was mentioned, Dominic's expression changed to an eminent hatred, and each time it happened, I shuddered. It was almost seven at night and the sun was already completely down, with a small layer of clouds covering now the sky, bringing with it a light rain that lasted all night. I debuted in my new room that day, but without success since I couldn't close my eyes at any moment. When I realized, the sun was rising again, and its rays of light came in through the porthole. It was the second day in a row that I had not slept.

I got up early, hesitating a little as I remembered that day was going to be exhausting and tiring. “Althea, training is needed. Remember that”.

When I got to the kitchen, Joseph had already prepared breakfast and Heath was enjoying one of the wonderful rolls that was on the table. I joined him and enjoyed another wonderful dish.

-What is the weather forecast today Joseph? -Heath asked, laughing.

-Intense sun accompanied by a refreshing wind until half past six. -He replied. I had already forgotten that Joseph could see glimpses of the future. According to what he had explained to me the other day, he could see what people connected to him would do more easily than other people and that he could also only see a decision or an idea as long as they had already been made. I was the only person with whom Joseph had had visions without any prior connection.

After we finished eating, Heath took me to the cockpit and showed me the ship's controls. I absorbed as much information as possible and he promised that, when we left Toedo, he would let me control the rudder. I said I would remember that promise.

I went straight to the library to select the next books to read when I had time. Suddenly something leaning on my shoulder caught me by surprise, making me jump with my body against the bookshelf and dropping several books with me.

-Damn it! -I exclaimed when a thick book fell on my foot.

-I am sorry! I didn’t want to scare you... Are you okay? -asked Dominic with a puzzled expression. I couldn't help laughing about my own disaster.

-Don't do that anymore, please. My heart almost exploded! But I'm fine. I think I was very distracted with my thoughts. - I said laughing and bending down to pick up the books. -Damn, what a mess!

-No, let me fix it, it's my fault. - He said bending down to help me. At that very moment, I was getting up to put a book on the shelf and - to worsen that situation - I hit my head on Dominic’s chin, causing deadly pain and making a loud noise, followed by another exclamation from me. I hit the bookcase again, causing about twenty more books to drop.

-Argh! It can not be possible! -I shouted at myself. -I give up!

This time Dominic was the one laughing.

-Calm down Althea. Let me fix this before you destroy the room.

-I’m so sorry. -I said in a whisper, still sitting on the floor rubbing my head. –Did I hurt you?

-It takes a lot more than that to hurt me. I'm getting used to your accidents. I just think I bit my tongue.

He sat next to me and we looked at each other. I couldn't help but laughing again.

-I even forgot what I came here to do. -He said.

-How about we go outside and breathe some fresh air? We need it.

-Agreed.

After we cleaned up the mess, we went through the side door of the ship and walked to the deck, where we had a nice shade and a great view of the island. It was a perfect for relaxing.

-Here. -said Dominic, opening a space for me to sit beside him on a bench in the shade. -Were you always so clumsy?

-Since I was a kid balance was never one of my strengths, but I believe that all those years imprisoned only made the situation worse. I'm not like that by choice, you know.

-Don't get mad, it was just curiosity. -said Dominic smiling. -How can I redeem myself for being rude?

Just seeing that smile, I was no longer angry.

-Hmm... How about answering some questions? It's just curiosity. -I said taking his hand.

-Feel free to ask me anything.

-What prophecy is this that you referred to yesterday? I didn't understand much of what you said.

He sighed. This was another long story.

-Exactly 222 years ago, our continent was in one of the most terrible wars in our history. Your predecessors and those of Orion finally faced each other in a direct and bloody battle. It felt as an endless battle, with no results. Their powers were equivalent, and it was impossible to defeat each other. The war ended, with no winners.

“That same day, Orion's predecessor went to a woman that was considered a diviner on those times and who had already predicted that the battle would have no winners. Most possibly she had very similar powers as Joseph. He went after her to look for a way to defeat his opponent, but the result was the Prophecy."

“The old woman saw that the only way for the war between the Descendants could come to an end was when the Heiress was born. The powers of this Heiress would be incomparable to that of her opponent, she would be the one who would free the world. Right after that, the Prophecy spread around the continent, bringing hopes and expectations for this child to be born. But the years passed, and all the Heirs were men. So far."

"Unbelievable." -I thought to myself. I was waited for so many years.

He smiled and I couldn’t help but to smile back. The past seemed very interesting to me, but the future was even more.

-There are many stories about you around Eberon; but the most important story is still being written. Many will doubt our mission, others will expect us to carry it out without fail, but in reality, nothing is accurate. -said Dominic. He was silent for a while longer, his fingers entwined in my hair. If he did not speak, I would certainly fall asleep. But he resumed the conversation and this time, his voice was melancholy, which made my heart ache. -Althea, Joseph predicted that our crew would increase, having up to ten main leaders by our side and hundreds to fight in our army… but I fear that in the end we will be outnumbered. What we are doing is very dangerous and those who join us will be willing to sacrifice themselves for the cause.

-I don't want them to die for me. -I whispered. The death of a companion was too heavy a burden for me to bear.

-Death is not certain, however the risk is. You should only be concerned with living. If there is anything that threatens your life, we will destroy it, even if it costs ours. I will never regret it if I die to save you. It's the best thing I can do, also to redeem myself from my past sins. -He said. I opened my mouth to contest, but he raised his hand and covered it, preventing me from speaking. -Althea, I discovered my destiny the same day that I discovered you. You are the only thing that makes sense to me and I will go all the way to make you happy and not to let you suffer anymore.

I just sighed.

-What’s wrong? -He asked.

-Nothing. It is just that you... leave me speechless. And I feel like my heart is going to burst. - I replied blushing.

-That is very good. -He whispered in an almost inaudible voice.

-Ah... You are too perfect. - I spoke without realizing it and soon regretted it. -Oh my God, I said it out loud. Please pretend you didn’t hear it. -I continued, turning my face away from Dominic and covering it with my hands.

-I'm afraid you are wrong. –Contested him, taking my hands off my face holding them. His lips touched my fingers, making me shiver completely. That feeling was different from anything else I had felt in my life. -I am just your humble servant and far from perfect.

I couldn't find words to answer it. I got up on impulse and walked away from him, without a word, however, Dominic soon reached me and held me against the wall, holding my hands.

-Do not move. -he said. I obeyed him blindly.

His fingers touched my face, and he caressed my lips gently. My heart was pounding even harder and my breath was irregular. That kind of contact with another person went beyond anything I had ever imagined.

I took the courage to face him and saw that he was looking deeply at my eyes. If at any time I had any intention of interrupting him, after seeing his gaze, that idea completely disappeared from my head. I wanted the same thing as him and nothing was going to change that fact.

-Dominic, don't do this to me. You know it is something without return. -I said dizzy with all that. I wanted. But I shouldn't.

-I know.

-We will regret it.

-I will not.

I had never done that before.