Sy laughs. “Not a big deal? Bro, did you even explain to her what you made her do, or did you casually just—”
“It was an emergency!” Ziros interrupts, and there’s no doubt about it.
He’s definitely blushing.
And it’s not just the glowing orange light of Sy’s fireball as he bounces it from one hand to the other, watching you two.
“You did,” Sy says with a grin, throwing his head back and laughing. He laughs so hard, he doubles-over, wiping the tears from his eyes. “You really did. You forged an eternal bond with her and youdidn’t even tell her.”
“I told her!” Ziros protests, finally looking at you. “You knew what it meant, right, human?”
Now it’s your turn to blush.
Eyes wide, you stare at him as you choke out, “E-eternal!?”
“Ha! This is golden!” Sy slaps his knee, a fireball flashing out in a puff of smoke. “I never thought I’d see the day. You bonded yourself to a mortal, andshe doesn’t even know.”
You glance between the two demigod twins, waiting for explanation.
Finally, Ziros says, “So maybe it’s an eternal bond. It’s notthatbig of a deal.”
Sy arches an eyebrow. “Sharing a lifetime isn’t a big deal?”
“Sharing…a lifetime?” you repeat, staring wide-eyed at Ziros. You feel suddenly lightheaded. “What does that mean?”
“It means he gave up his immortality,” Sy says bluntly.
Your heart skips a beat, breath catching.
“No! You didn’t!”
Ziros covers his face with one hand, not looking at you. Why won’t he look at you?
This is a joke, right?
There’s no way he would have done something so…so…
“It was an emergency, okay? Both of you, stop acting like it’s a big deal!”
Sy shakes his head, muttering. “I guess I don’t have to worry. I really never thought I’d see the day. You’ve changed, bro. You really changed. I didn’t believe it. But you have.”
“I haven’t!”
Sy just laughs. “Sure, keep telling yourself that.”
“Is it really—did you “…yes.”really—” You find yourself tongue-tied, barely able to form the words you need to ask. “Did you really give up your immortality to save me?” Swallowing, you ask, “Are we really…sharing a lifetime?”
Ziros clears his throat, finally looking at you. “…yes.”
You stare at him.
Just stare.
This is either incredibly romantic, or incredibly devastating, and you’re not sure which to feel.
“Thank you,” you whisper. “I don’t know what to say. But won’t you…die now?”
Ziros slides one hand around your waist, drawing you close and tilting your chin up to look him in the eyes. “Don’t worry, human,” he says, kissing you gently on the lips. “Half of eternity is still eternity.”
