“The first god of the dead made a deal with a mortal man that led to the mortal’s death. A terrible deal—the kind young mortals ask for when their desperation for change outweighs their sense. His sister was far more cunning. She came to strike her own deal and brought with her an offering of tea. The god of the dead drank the tea only to realize she’d tried to poison him. She’d beenbold enough to believe she could kill the one who rules over the dead with mortal herbs.”
Nia grinned, clearly loving this part of the story. “That’s the kind of gumption that wins gods and starts wars.”
“Butdidshe kill him?” She glanced at the wall, thinking the recipe might be useful.
“Of course not! Gods are not so easily killed. Something you ought to remember.Butthe poison did weaken him enough that he made a deal for its antidote.”
Elysia recounted the story in her head, trying to keep up. “And that deal impacts me now?”
“Correct. The deal was that the god of the dead would never rule alone again. He would be tempered by a mortal with limits to his power.”
“And he agreed to that because…?” Elysia was starting to question if any of these men had ever cut a winning deal before.
Nia made a soft noise of agreement. “There are theories. The most common being that the fates became intrigued and intervened.”
Elysia paused, remembering what Aidan had said about the fates and the damper on his power. “Right, that’s where the talisman comes in then. More meddling of the fates.”
She stared into her mug, soaking in this new information. So, Aidan was after the mortal counterpart required of him as god of the dead along with the talisman. Lifting her gaze, she spoke from her gut. “I’m not her, I won’t be her. I’m a mortal who wants the god who fucked up her kingdom to fix it. If he believes I’m the mortal to his god, then he should’ve made a better deal, but he didn’t. All I’ve agreed to is finding a talisman.”
Nia responded with infuriating calm. “Then you have nothing to worry about. Find the talisman and be on your way.”
Elysia eyed her. “You wouldn’t have a map, would you?”
Grinning, Nia started eating from a small board of cured meats and cheese. Between bites, she asked a pointed question. “Ifyou could overlook the deal that wrecked your home, what’s your take on him?”
Elysia flushed, covering her mouth as she spoke around her food. “Overconfident and annoying.”
Nia’s chiseled cheeks curved in amusement. “That all?”
Frowning, she chewed her food. It hadn’t been long, but so far, he’d spent most of his time in his office, working and scribbling in his ledgers. When he wasn’t busy looking worried, his attention was heavy on her, his communication blunt with a heated edge.
“Unexpected,” she grunted begrudgingly.
“Aidan is unique amongst the gods. He tends to those who have passed. Makes deals with the living to align broken fates, or at least he used to. He’s far more aware of mortal realities than most of the gods who dip in and out of their lives.”
Elysia waved a chunk of bread. “You don’t need to do this. The whole talking up your boss bit—it’s just like I told him. I’m committed to my job, my kingdom, and that’s it.”
Nia continued evenly. “He is also stubborn and terrifyingly powerful even when limited. He can dry the life from the most succulent of beings. He may be god of the dead, but he carries the weight of death within him. It’s not a weight meant to be borne alone.”
Elysia dusted her hands off. “Well, I guess he better start dating then. Is this all I’m here for? I have things to do.” Irritation had her eyes flicking to the exit. She’d been initiated, so if this was just going to beten reasons to date the god of the dead, then she was ready to leave.
“You’ve never been in a temple before in your life and you don’t have any questions?”
She’d gotten drunk and smashed a bottle against Aidan’s skull temple in Relaclave—didn’t that count? She pushed her empty mug away.Fine.“Aren’t you bored here? You don’t seem like the priestess type.”
Nia’s gaze homed in on the new, angry branding nestled in thehollow of Elysia’s throat with recognition in her eyes. “I’ve retired into this position and was specifically brought on for my skill set.” She looked back up, speaking wryly. “You’re sorely mistaken if you think there is anythingboringabout managing an underground temple full of women and folks who are obsessed with death of all things.”
Elysia grinned in spite of herself. “Do you mean to say temples have assassins? Wouldn’t that fall under Grim’s work?”
“Grim and Aidan work closely together. This is as much Grim’s temple as it is Aidan’s.” Nia’s focus slipped, her knowing gaze heavy on the fresh burn still tingling Elysia’s skin. “Wish I could be a fly on the wall when our god seesthat.”
Elysia sniffed, her shoulders drawing tight and her back straightening at the implication. As if she gave a rat’s furry ass what that man thought about her ensuring her own protection. “He’s the reason I needed it, so whatever his grievances may be, he can shove them wherever he’d like.”
Nia’s eyebrows rose.
“And if this is his grand plan—sending me to chitchat with his priestesses about his many wonderful attributes, then I think we’re all going to be waiting a very, very long time for me to find the talisman.”
“I’d send you away too if I had to deal with your shit attitude all day.”
