“A bond forms between the two; usually they can see it floating between them.”
“How long does that take?”
“Sometimes it is instant, and sometimes it may take a few interactions. No one knows. Gods and goddesses have to waitlifetimes for their mates to come, but the heavens always pick the best mate for us.”
I nodded. Well, that was a lie if I did not end up with Ardella. No man would treat her better than I would.
“Do the cursed gods in Hell get mates?”
“No, the heavens did not think that they should be mated to anybody. Maybe that will change if they break their curse, but until then...”
Avesh watched me oddly.
“Do gods bond together?”
“No.” Avesh looked at me. “Not since Malamay and Diath.”
Well, that answer pissed me off. My eyes burned with my wrath, and I looked down so Avesh couldn’t see.
“What goddess is Ardella?”
“You know Ardella?” His tone was suspicious.
“I met her before I came here.”
I looked up at him and saw that he was beginning to question my motives for being there.
“The Goddess of Life, the stars' favorite.” I raised my eyebrow at him questioningly. “Do you think they would give that title to just anyone after what happened with Malamay? Ardella was created specifically for that title, and she has been exceptional at it.”
Hmm, my little crush just happened to be with the woman who took my father’s role. What better way to break my curse than to corrupt the stars' favorite goddess? Della would turn bad, and we would rule together; that would be the only way I could protect her from my siblings. It was the only way I could keep her.
“What king did you say you are doing this for?” Avesh stood up. Shit, he was onto me. I didn’t want to waste my energy with another lie, so I smiled at him.
“I never said, because I didn’t come here for a king. But you already pieced that together, didn’t you, Avesh?”
He paled as he stared at me. “Who are you?”
I stood, dropping my glamour. “Haden Vale.” My eyes flashed red. “God of Wrath.”
“I can hurt you without lifting a finger.” He glared. But there was fear in his eyes. Avesh was too small to take me on in a physical fight and I was honestly in no mood to fight him with magic. I stepped toward him and Avesh let out a shaky breath and backed away. I took pity on him.
“Do you really want to fight or can we just part ways?” I asked.
His eyes narrowed on me with defiance, but I knew he wouldn’t fight me.
“Don’t worry, Avesh, I will scrub away the memory of you helping the Gods of Hell escape since you have been helpful to me today. But I want you to answer one more question.”
“Fuck you.”
I grinned at his sudden burst of confidence.
“Can a mate bond be changed? Can it be transferred?”
“Why?”
“Because Ardella and I can’t be fated, according to you, but I don’t like that answer, so how do I change it?”
His eyes widened and he became a defensive little prick.
