He crossed his arms, leveling her with an equally stubborn look. “Don’t lie to me.”
“Lying is useless. Like you, I have no problem being straightforward.”
At the mention of their similarities, Finnian’s nostrils flared and his eyes hardened around her. “Make no mistake, Marina, I only brought you back because you made a vow to our father.”
Marina frowned at the sting in her chest. “Naia told you?”
“Naia tells me everything.”
She averted her gaze to the sludgy groundcover, discomfort twisting her stomach. “I am sorry…” She exhaled and forced herself to meet his gaze again. “For what I did back in the Land.”
He stared at her, mirroring the scowl that she wore so well. Suddenly, she felt empathy for all the poor souls she’d scrutinized with it.
A beat passed.
“I still hate you for it.” Finnian turned his head, peering out in the direction of Tenebris.
Marina pursed her lips, her last interaction with Father fresh in her mind. One day, she would forgive herself, but today was not that day.
“I hate myself for it too,” she murmured.
Another long breath of silence twined with the breeze.
She pushed her hair behind her ear, unable to bring herself to look at him.
“Youdiddie…”
At the playful note in his voice, she glanced at him.
He smirked, full of teeth. “So I guess payback is a bitch.”
Marina chuckled at his mockery, shaking her head as she looked back out at the land. The knot in her chest loosened. “It didn’t feel fantastic.”
“Good.”
Her grin widened and he gave a breathy laugh.
“Thank you.” She peeked over at him. “For reviving me.”
“I worked tirelessly to craft that antidote. It was my only one,” he replied, begrudgingly. “Though, you did me a favor, because now I know that it works. Not that I doubted myself.”
She rubbed at the knot that had yet to heal in her chest. When she awoke, it was with a syringe in her heart. Always the clever one. Of course, he’d crafted an antidote with Ash’s remaining blood from the day she killed Father. She’d only injected a portion into his system.
“Will I be immune to Ash’s blood now?”
Finnian shrugged. “Not sure. The only way to know is to test it out.”
“Will you create more?” Marina looked down, imagining the blood pumping through the blue veins of her palm.
“Under the radar, yes. I don’t want deities knowing that it exists, or else they will target me and my husband and our peaceful life.” He gave her a sharp look. “So best keep this to yourself, or else I won’t hesitate to hex you.”
Marina grimaced, thinking of the grisly image of their mother.
After their last encounter, it was best to create distance from Mira, but Marina couldn’t get the visual of her alone and suffering out of her head.
“Stop that.” Finnian nudged her arm. “She deserved it.”
Marina blinked at him. “How did you?—?”
