Erevan shuts the door and pulls me close to his side, keeping one foot placed ahead of me.
“We have gone over the battle plan numerous times, Silas,” Erevan sighs.
“Not of our return.” Silas turns, revealing what held his interest.
My book sits open on the desk. Shock freezes me; I look up at Erevan, whose eyes scan my belongings, which we planned to bring.
“You overstepped!” Erevan rushes forward, about to grab Silas by the neck. A blink of Silas’s eyes triggers his defense magic. Erevan’s hand hits a veil.
“Your steps have been far more treacherous, Erevan.” Silas’s eyes loom over us, full of judgment. “I always doubted the runes were born naturally. They resembled Amariel’s designs too closely. The lies you spun…” He flashes us a razor-sharp smirk. “The others were enchanted by them. You used your magic on them!” His laugh is more of a hiss. “They actually believed those designs were borne from your magic and that they resembled her art because you love her. But I had my suspicions; that's why I shielded my mind when you spoke.”
The secret is finally out. “I had to make the runes in order to bring peace.” I step forward, but Erevan blocks me. “I needed to create a balance. And I did. We have our army.”
My palms sweat as I step out from behind Erevan.
“Youare the imbalance, Amariel,” Silas seethes. His shields rise, fully covering him. “If I had it my way, you’d be dead. It’s your life that has disturbed everything. It can only be stilled when you die for your crimes. Only then can the requiems of war be sung.”
“And what of your crimes?” Erevan spits back.
I swiftly avert my gaze, wiping away my tears. It’s been centuries since the other gods cursed my hands and reminded me of what I made. Erevan’s correct; the deep-seated anger towards me will quickly escalate after we gain control over Attkris. Once the elven war is over, I’ll be their target.
“I never said I was without guilt.” Silas slides his cold glare to Erevan, speaking coldly.
Erevan closes his fists and slams them into Silas’s defensive magic. “Lower your shields and fight like a man,”he growls.
“You forget, I am no man. I am a god.” Silas chuckles when Erevan can’t touch him.
“We left those titles behind when we felt the kiss of death. You can be killed. Threaten her again, and I will be the one to slay you.”
“My debt to you is paid.” Silas’s smirk spreads slowly, then he points to my book of runes. “But that book will not be coming back with us.” His eyes narrow.
“It’s mine!” A precious gift that pulled me out of my depression. I lost my home and Lucian. That book gave me hope again.
“You lost the right to own anything!” Silas roars. “Your hands create nothing but tricks of death.”
“The swords were a mistake,” I cry. Erevan leaves my side, and from his belongings, he grabshissword, the original blade I made for him. One of the last remaining God Swords in our possession. The sound of metal sliding against its sheath fills the air.
Yet Silas holds his ground. “You wish to kill me now? Do it.” He tips his chin high. “All your efforts will be lost,”he challenges.
We only have five God Swords here with us, but we all agreed they were too dangerous to bring back home, so we are leaving them here, gifting them to those who stay behind. Dragon fire has forged metal strong enough to withstand a few blows from a God Sword. Our armor and weapons are made from it.
However, there are still areas of vulnerability within its design.Should a God Sword pierce our flesh, we can still be slain.
“You cast a stone but forget your walls are made of air,” Erevan seethes. “It was you who first mated with a human, so do not speak to me of our old and new laws.”
Silas gave his sword away to his child last night. The first demigod. He bore children whom he will pass the sword down to, eventually.Erevan never confessed Silas’s name to us; it was Silas’s child who gave away his secret.
Silas’s eye twitches. “The book stays behind, with the swords. Both are too dangerous if the elves get their hands on them.”
Reaching out, I lower Erevan’s hand, aiming the sword at the ground. “I can not leave the book behind. What if they abuse the pages?”Endless pages.
“You should have thought about that before you forged it.” Silas crosses his arms; his eyes follow the tip of the sword as it presses into the stone floor.
“I created it,” Erevan admits.
“It makes no difference. You gave her the material to create yet another weapon, you fool!” Silas bites. “Love has weakened you.”
“And the loss of your love has hardened you,” Erevan bites back.
