Eden Marie Corrington Warren, Duchess of Tyne an’Rodor, the hidden Queen of Swords, knew she was dead the moment the poisoned wine touched her lips. It was not the first assassination attempt conducted by the other Houses, but she hadn’t expected it here in her own home.
The formal dining room swam in her vision as her power triggered. Eden’s hand gripped the chair as the vision overpowered her senses.
She watched as a calculated invasion swept through the empire while the Houses, sworn to defend the throne from the shadows, fought among themselves in the wake of a generation of peace since the end of the Third Interstellar Civil War.
Her family was summoned. Daughterless, she used her power to see the potential futures of her sisters, nieces, and cousins, even an elderly aunt. She viewed possible outcomes where the power of the House of Swords died with her. She even reviewed the unlikely future of her survival and its affect in the coming war. Every future saw the devastating collapse of the empire.
Her time was short. Eden was the most powerful precog ever to rule the House of Swords, but even her strength had limits. Desperately, she threw her power out randomly, allowing the fates to guide her vision. Then, suddenly, she saw a possible future with a glimmer of hope.
With seconds left, she explored the layers of futures along the glimmering but heretical path. Her successor died as the power transferred. Or died in battle. Or became a dictator. Or, finally, in one shining possibility, became the key to the empire’s victory.
Gathering the last of her strength, Eden’s hand raised. Amid horrified gasps, she made her last act one of blasphemy. She locked eyes with and clasped the hand of her son and willed her power out of female hands for the first time in three thousand years.
The vision ended and Eden returned to the real world with a sharp intake of breath. She smiled at her husband’s concerned glance and squeezed his hand. She reached forward, lifted the poisoned wine to her lips, and drank.