“You’re serious,” I whispered, and Kaos jerked his massive head in a nod.
“Your tether,” I said suddenly, stomach churning at what was to come. It felt too much like when I was forced to choose between Peytor and Finian. Could I kill another being simply to save myself? To save Torin?
I wasn’t sure I wanted to come to terms with that answer just yet.
“It’s in capable hands,” Kaos said solemnly.
I licked my lips, suddenly dry from the air that huffed rapidly from my chest. I clutched the crystal harder, certainly drawing blood with the force of my grip, as I frowned over his words.
“Do you mean for us to destroy it?” I asked, and Kaos simply shrugged.
“I’m certain the Rune Master will know what to do if that time comes.”
Sweat beaded against my brow despite the coolness of the chamber, loose tendrils of my hair sticking to my forehead and cheeks. I wiped them away with the back of my hand as I blew out a breath, desperately willing my heart to calm.
“Is there anything else I need to know before I . . .” I asked dryly, trailing off before finishing my thought.
Kaos quirked an eyebrow at me as a small smile played on his lips. His massive hands squeezed my shoulders once before falling back to his sides.
“Be quick, if you would. I’d rather not feel this.”
“Okay, okay,” I muttered, shaking the tingles from my hands and arms. I pocketed the crystal before holding both hands out in front of me. Just as I called forth a tendril of Destruction Magic, I faltered, letting both my hold on my magic and my arms fall.
“I . . .” I started, my voice cracking, “I don’t think I can do this,” I whispered.
Kaos’ expression softened—a look I’d never seen the god wear before—before it hardened once more.
“You must, Ellowyn. I’ve known for quite a while now what needed to happen. I’ve come to terms with my death. Dying at your hand would be a mercy compared to what my sister has planned. Besides, there are a few someones I’mready to meet in the ether,” Kaos said, his voice soft as if he was cajoling a startled animal or small child.
I opened my mouth to protest further, but a loudcracksounded from somewhere above, the reverberations of it echoing in the underground chamber. The floor rocked as the earth rumbled and stone and dirt rained from the ceiling in response to whatever cataclysmic event just took place topside.
“My sister is here,” Kaos explained, his whole being betraying the urgency he felt. “If you’re going to do this, godling, now is the time.”
My hands shot out once more.
“Remember, the crystal can only be destroyed in the place of its creation. Use the Valley to your advantage. There are spirits here—restless ones. Use them,” he whispered, his eyes darting to the staircase to my back.
“I’m going to give you some Pleasure Magic first,” I said as I conjured a golden tendril of light, the power viscous like honey. Kaos inclined his head once, and in the next instant, I had my magic winding around his neck and caressing his body.
Kaos’ eyes closed, the tension easing from his face.
With his expression relaxed and a smile teasing his lips, it was clear how much Kaos held, how deeply this war and his eternity on Meru had affected him.
“Goodbye, Kaos. May Fate welcome you into the ether,” I said, surprised when I felt a tear run down my cheek where it fell against my exposed collarbone.
Kaos peeped one obsidian eye open for the last time, shooting me a wink. “Goodbye, godling. You’ve turned into quite the formidable woman, one that I would not want as my enemy. I will rest easy knowing Elyria has a chance with you in it.”
My breath hitched at his compliment, words I felt down to the marrow of my bones. The ground shuddered again, as if the goddess was hammering at the ruins above, trying to fight her way below.
I inhaled, filling my lungs completely with musty air before I called forth my Destruction Magic. With whispered words, I directed the tendril of ashes and embers to wrap itself around Kaos.
My gaze hyper-focused on my magic, everything else fading to black as I watched the diaphanous strand dance across the open space until it met Kaos’ flesh. The dark god stood with his head tilted back, arms outstretched as if welcoming the bite of pain I knew accompanied my magic.
The magic consumed him faster than I would have thought possible, his body disintegrating to dust as I watched, transfixed.
If I thought this would be like killing Finian, I was wrong.
Something akin to euphoric relief was writ on Kaos’ expression as my magic consumed every inch of him. There was no screaming, no pain, no forced callingof my Destruction Magic. Just an immortal who never looked more godlike than he did now, meeting his death with a smile.
