Not that he needs to be embarrassed, with all those muscles and gorgeousness and a dick like that.
“She’s not going,” Baelfire growls.
“She’s not,” Everett agrees, trying to sound firm but failing because he’s so weak. Silas also looks exhausted from all the magic he’s used, but he looks relieved that Syntyche left.
Galene laughs. “Rest your fears, matches of Maven. She won’t be coming to Paradise the way she did last time. This will be a mere projection of her soul to fulfill the blood oath she made to my queen, but I’m afraid swiftness is of the utmost importance.”
Shit.
Shit.
My blood oath. My mouth runs dry as I stare at the white-cloaked goddess. The battle is still ending, and already I’m being summoned to speak with Arati? What the hell did I agree to pay for this to be the right timing?
My quintet looks sick to their stomachs. Baelfire’s golden gaze moves to me, and he shakes his head.
“Don’t. I don’t like this.”
“I’m with the lizard,” Crypt rasps, burying his face in the side of my neck.
“Your fears are unnecessary,” Galene says soothingly. “I give you my promise that Maven’s soul shall return with the utmost haste. She cannot yet remember why this is so vital, but she will know soon. Come along, my fearless one. Your sworn fate awaits.”
She waves her hand, and just like that, my vision goes white.
52
MAVEN
This time,when I wake in Paradise, I recognize it right away.
I’m sitting in Arati’s grand dining room. I remember it from the time I showed up here naked, back when I was still trying to piss off my aunt. It’s an ornate, massive dining room connected to the balcony that overlooks Paradise.
I’m in one of the dining room chairs beside a long, golden table etched with patterns like fire. Blue figures made of flames arrange gleaming plates and bowls full of strange, beautiful foods and pour a glowing purple liquid into golden goblets. A few of them wave at me before disappearing into smoke.
It looks like they’re setting up for a celebration, but I’m the only guest. Confused, I reach for one of the goblets to get a better look at it, but my hand passes through the gold.
“Projections are not corporeal,” Syntyche says behind me.
She moves into my view before sitting in one of the chairs beside me. Her hand wraps around the goblet in front of her, but she doesn’t drink the liquid in it. She just sits there in thoughtful silence.
“What oath did I make?” I finally ask.
“That was between you and my sister. But even with only your soul here in Paradise, you should have free access to the missing pieces within your mind,” Syntyche muses, finally taking a sip from the goblet.
I have my memories?
Oh, my gods.
She’s right.
I can remember everything about that blood oath now. I made it right here, in this very room. I can still remember Arati, smirking at me.
“If you really want to return to your fate-given matches so desperately, it will come at a price you already well know. You must first exchange a blood oath with me.”
“I accept.”
“I knew you would. As much a menace as you’ve been, my dear niece, your passion and depth of love have earned my respect. There’s fire in you where fear should be. Let’s hope you don’t regret that later.”
And I recall my golden ichor swirling into a bowl alongside Arati’s as we exchanged unbreakable oaths.
