Do what you wish, Freya.
The last of the memory played out vividly in his mind. He’d stood across from her, arms crossed, disinterested in her request.
Though, now, a euphoric triumph twirled in his stomach as he met her gaze with an acquainted ease.
“I want to express my utmost gratitude to Lord Finnian for his unyielding years of mentorship.” She gestured to him with her arm, her affection soft and apparent as she regarded him. Heads snapped in his direction. “For without his guidance, I would not have come out the victor of this duel.”
Eyes burned into his skin.
Off to the side of the circle, he caught the clipped twist of Marina’s head in his periphery. The sharp motion slung her dark strands against her cheek.
Malik’s glare carved as deeply as one of his scimitars. Finnian could feel it hacking down to his bones.
Vex and Astrid clung to one another, unable to tear their wide eyes from Mira.
Finnian acknowledged his student with the slight dip of his chin.
Another wrong made right.
His gaze jumped to Mira with a predatory intent. The memory of her looming over him in the garden as a child flared once again in his mind. The feeling of her sharp nails digging into his scalp. His hair wet and clinging to his neck. The harsh snap of his nose and the waves of bruising in his eye sockets.
Know your place.
A sinister anticipation tingled in his fingertips.
Footfalls broke the silence as a guard sauntered out from the crowd of deities into the circle, golden chains clinking against his oiled chest.
He bowed on one knee and lowered his head. “Long reign Freya, the High Goddess of the Sea.”
17
FAMILY REUNION
More guards stepped forthand filled the circle, kneeling alongside one another, heads dropping.
“Long reign Freya, High Goddess of the Sea.”
Their voices intertwined, forming a resounding crescendo that filled the great hall, amplifying the hushed whispers of the crowd.
“Mira has finally fallen.”
With her chin held high and her hands joined behind her back, Freya stood on the platform and scanned the hall.
Finnian had dreamed of this day, swearing to relish in the feeling bursting in his chest when it manifested.
He’d met Freya five decades prior, long after he’d dropped the barrier spell warding off deities from his city.
She’d first wandered in, oblivious to its population of witches and their hostile nature towards her kind. Her sprightly spirit and vivacious outlook on life reminded him of Naia and his apprentices. Although her naiveté and cheerful demeanor irked his nerves, he felt compelled to teach her how to protect it from the world’s cruelty.
It had been her to suggest taking over Mira’s title, for the sake of ending the High Goddess’s tyranny.
“Methodical as ever.” Solaris appeared in the space next to Finnian’s left side. “Bloody horrifying, but impressive. Though I expect nothing less from you.”
Without sparing a glance at the High God of Fire, Finnian acknowledged his statement with a breathy scoff, keeping his eyes on the triplets as they shoved their way through the bowing guards to Mira.
“Mother!” Astrid fell to her knees and shook Mira by the shoulder. “Awake this once!”
Marina and Malik loomed over them.
