Morgana shrugged. “I’m unsure. The book containing the prophecy came from his realm.”
“I thought you said Cael gave it to you.”
Morgana’s gaze bore a hole straight through me. “He did.”
“Only gods can walk between realms.” Did that mean Cael was a god?
Morgana nodded toward Elliot. “And beloveds.”
“Is Cael a god or a beloved?” If he were one and in Aengus’s realm, he must be kin to Aengus. Hope bloomed in my chestwhere Cael was concerned. Perhaps Cael was only one step ahead of us and hadn’t abandoned us after all.
“It’s his story to tell, Grym.”
“He’s not here.”
Instead of answering the question, Morgana made her way to Elliot. She smiled at him. “It’s time for you to learn to walk between realms.”
“What about us?” Miles crosses his arms over his chest. “If we’re beloveds, we should learn, too.”
“In time, you will. But your time isn’t now.”
“Why Elliot?”
“Because he is bonded with Grym.” Morgana held out her hand to Elliot. When he took it, I released him from my hold. “It’s up to you, Elliot Coyne.”
Elliot gave a nervous giggle and turned, widening his eyes at me. “No pressure.”
I tried to smile or give him some sign that I was the calm one between us. He needed reassurance. I knew that, but I couldn’t keep the pain in my chest at bay. I was sure it showed in my expression.
I followed them outside, grabbing a cloak from the hook as I went.
Joel and Miles followed me.
Morgana held out her hand for the cloak, and I handed it to her with a frown. I wasn’t happy about not showing Elliot what to do myself, but Morgana was the boss.
“You’re needed here, Grym.” She glanced at Joel and Miles. “Protection for all the beloveds in our care, not just Elliot.”
“Of course.” I was better able to keep them safe than she was, simply because I wasn’t rusty with my reaper skills. She’d been behind a desk too long. Fieldwork kept all the gears oiled.
I stepped up to Elliot and pulled him into a hug. “Get in, talk to Aengus, and come back to me.”
Elliot pulled out of my hold. “Wait. What the fuck am I supposed to do?” He turned to Morgana. “You want me to talk a god into starting a war with another god.”
Morgana winced. “Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that. Perhaps a polite discussion is all that’s needed. Aengus might have started this whole thing, after all.”
Elliot opened his mouth, then shut it again. He shook his head and headed for the barn.
“Where are you going, Elliot Coyne?” Morgana yelled after him.
“Not into another realm. I know that much.”
“Sounds like you’re the only one who can,” Joel said around a bite of pasta and cheese. “I’m not getting eaten by a hellhound, dude. That sounds like an unpleasant way to go.”
“They don’t eat people,” I whispered.
“Do you want him to go talk to this god of love or not, man?” Joel shook his head.
“No, I don’t, actually.” But it was the only way.
