“I will. What you offer me holds no appeal.”
She seemed to expect my answer, because it didn’t throw her into a tizzy. If anything, she seemed to be thinking very hard over there. “Vuheia said you were stubborn enough to not go.”
The war goddess herself? Interesting, but not surprising that these two belonged to her. I had always felt a deep connection with the goddess. She wasn’t the most popular patron among humanity, as most didn’t wish for war, but I had chosen her as my patron from a young age. Even I couldn’t fully explain why.
“We cannot allow a hero such as yourself to become a wandering ghost, though. It would upset the balance between life and death, for one. Plus, we’d need to keep an angel on guard with you to keep that from happening, and we’re short-staffed as it is.”
Oh, was that the issue? I could see how that would cause them problems.
For the entirety of my life, I had negotiated. For what I wanted, what others needed—a whole variety of reasons—but it had always come down to negotiations. This was no different. In fact, this might be the best opportunity I’d ever been given.
“If you do not want me to linger here, then how about this? Give me one more chance to do it over.”
Both women gaped at me.
“You say Edwin is not done. I regret everything about the life you’re trying to reward me for, and certainly don’t feel like I belong in Paradise for it. So, if you must reward me, then let this be my reward: Send me precisely ten years and three months into the past with my full memory intact. Let me live that part of my life over again.”
First Angel squawked in protest, eyes bulging.
But Supervisor Angel, she seemed intrigued. Hope rose in my chest. “If you do, all the merits you have won are for naught. You’d have to accomplish those Tasks all over again. It would be a true turning back of time.”
“So? I did them once, I can do them again. I can do them even better, for that matter, since I know how to prepare for the challenges ahead of me now.”
“You’ve never been afraid of work,” Supervisor Angel said with a slow dip of her head. “You think this time you can change what you regret the most? That with the right influence and support, Edwin can find and accomplish his task?”
“I know I can.” I meant every word. “At the very least, I want the chance to try. If I fail this time, then I will not argue when you come to take me to Paradise. If I fail so completely I must be reincarnated, I will not complain about that, either.”
First Angel kept looking between us as if doubting her ears. “Supervisor, surely you’re not…”
“One who has completed their Tasks may ask for any reward they please,” Supervisor pointed out to her. Then tacked on dryly, “But most of them want Paradise, not more work.”
I didn’t actually want more work. I wanted Edwin. I was just willing to do the work to get him. There was a difference.
Supervisor lifted her head, and I could tell she was communing with someone. Then she grunted and respectfully bowed her head. “Vuheia has authorized it.”
A thrill raced through me. Perhaps those many years of devotion had paid off, since my goddess was willing to give me a second chance. “Can she hear me?”
“She can.”
“Vuheia, thank you. I will not let this chance go to waste.”
A warm feeling engulfed me, like someone had just given me a firm hug, and I knew she had not only heard me but approved. It was all the validation I needed.
Supervisor gave me a searching look once more but smiled proudly. “You have ever been a favorite of the heavens, James, solely because of your heart. I will not deny you your heart’s greatest desire. Very well, King James Kronenscheld. If you wish to restart this part of your life, then your desire is granted. I will send you precisely ten years and three months into the past as you have requested, but this will be your only chance.”
“One chance is all I need.” I bowed my head. “Thank you.”
“Good luck.” Her smile dimpled in a pretty way. “Although, knowing you, you will not need it.”
One
James
On a strong, startled inhale, I woke up.
White hot agony flared from my abdomen, reminding me I had been stabbed right before dying. But as quick as the pain hit, it faded.
I patted over my body, physically needing to take stock. Not injured, not bleeding out anywhere; in fact, I felt more whole and hearty than I had in a decade. The brief pain must have been a carryover from being sent back in time, and I was thankful for it. The lack of pain and feeling well rested was odd, as I’d been nothing but sleep deprived for years. I felt disjointed in my own flesh, like my soul was still settling into the body I’d inhabited for thirty-seven years. Well, twenty-seven at this point in time. A second disorienting breath in, then the feeling dissipated, and I found myself in the bedroom I’d resided in before I’d become king. On the bed, in fact, like I’d taken a nap.
