Hyperion showed up the second I returned and insisted on dragging me back to the volcano.To try and keep me safe, you told Hyperion your secret, that you were Axel.You begged him not to throw me into the volcano, but he did it anyway.And while I was in there, you and Gordon and Rufus were being tortured—the vanir demons or whatever those creatures are—were feeding on you.Freya gave me the chance to set things right.
What does that mean?He’s catching on.Set things righthow?
She gave me the choice to restore your flame blessed form...and eliminate your memories of all our time together.Or you could stay as Axel and retain those memories.
You said I had already been given that choice.I chose to keep them.
It’s so hard explaining what I did.I—it was my fault Azar died.Memories of me arewhyyou died, and memories of me are the reason you exposed your earth dragon secret.It was all my fault, all the damage you’d suffered, and suddenly I had a chance to make it all right.The only one who would suffer was me—you wouldn’t even remember what you’d lost.
He’s straightening beside me, his eyes hardening.You’ve been fighting with Hyperion all week because you don’t want anyone bonding a human without their consent.You’ve been entirely insistent that it has to be their choice.
I know.He’s right.I can’t even argue.
And you’re telling me that you took my choice away.
That’s what I’m saying, yes.My breath catches.I’m sorry.
You wouldn’t do it again, if you had a chance to repeat that decision?
No.I shake my head.I’d probably do it again.I reach for him.
But he backs away, his eyes hurt, his nostrils flaring.
It was hard, but I did it for you.
I had chosen.He narrows his eyes.You said I chose to live with the weakness.Did you restore me because you only liked me when I was flame blessed?As an earth blessed, I was too weak for you?He looks like at least that, he would understand.
I shake my head.“No, that wasn’t it.”
Do not tell me it was for me again.It wasn’t.
“It was,” I insist.
I made my choice—you mattered more to me than my power.He leans closer, his eyes on mine.In my entire life, I have never chosen anything but more power.It’s all the blessed value.It’s all that matters.If I chose to give up all my power for you—you should have known what that meant.If you knew me at all, you knew.
“I couldn’t be responsible for that loss,” I say.“It’s because I knew what it meant that I did what I did.”
And you hoped to restore my memories if possible.
“Yes.”I nod.“See?You get it.”
He shakes his head.No, you’re the one who doesn’t get it.You should have loved me, trusted meenoughto let me lose what I valued less.Power.Position.We could have tried to regain my power, but you didn’t honor my choice.
He’s right.
It was his pain, his vulnerability.His memories.
I was wrong.
Power to endure.I chose it the first time, but then I reversed my position later.I’m sorry,I say.
Axel shifts into Azar in that moment, glances at me sideways, and then makes a portal.I’ll be saving the blessed.He tosses his head at me.Hyperion will take Elizabeth Chadwick to save her mother.Thanks to our new bond, we can communicate across the seventy miles separating them.How convenient.
Without another word, he flies into the hole and is gone.
Hyperion sets down next to me.Something wrong?
I’m leaking again.Stupid human tears.I swipe them away.“I think he finally gets what I did, trading Azar for his memories.”
