She slowed her pace and inhaled, fidgeting with the chilled chains resting between her breasts.
Four months ago, she would’ve departed without a word. Expressing her farewells had never been something she was good at, and her two oldest friends knew she would always return to them. It was the way of their relationship. They all came and went, but they always stood together when they needed each other.
However, because of her, they’d fought against Acacius and potentially made an enemy of one of the most powerful gods in their world. Therefore, she owed it to them to at least showsomegratitude.
Marina rounded the corner. The morning light flooded through the windows above the sink. A doughy, cinnamon scent braided in the air, and the sweet, spiced combination reminded her of the kitchens back in Kaimana. Marina always caught glimpses of Naia sprinting out of the swinging door with a pastry hanging from her mouth. The sight triggered both revulsion and amusement in Marina each time, a confusing combination she never delved deeply into.
Now, though, all she could recall was Naia’s gentle touch and her strong hold, keeping Marina on her feet as they traveled through the Land of the Dead to see their father off one last time.
Marina didn’t deserve Naia’s kindness.
“You sure know how to piss off a High God.” Mansi sat at the head of the dining room table, propped back comfortably with a steaming mug to her lips.
Viviana snorted, not looking up from her book as she spooned a slice of plump grapefruit into her mouth. “Chaos at that. Of all the gods.”
Marina strolled over to the countertop filled with an assortment of beautifully prepared foods—breakfast pastries, fruits, crystal pitchers of juices, steam trailing out of a tea pot, and a press filled with fresh coffee. She’d never been much for mortal luxuries, but the fresh strawberries dipped in chocolate piqued her interest.
She twirled the lush fruit between her fingers, grateful to have something in her grasp to focus on. “Thank you both…” She trailed off, and her chest grew tight. “For helping me.”
The clinking of their silverware halted.
Cheeks flushing, Marina bit into the strawberry, delighted by the flavorful burst of bitterness on her tongue from the cacao. It was reminiscent of her sunny walks as a child in Kaimana, along the bank of the River of Souls, popping dark chocolate shards into her mouth.
When Viviana and Mansi did not reply, Marina turned to face them.
They scrutinized her.
“Have you gone mad?” Mansi placed her teacup down. “Did his disillusionment fuck your head beyond repair?”
Marina eyed her friend, unamused by her exaggeration. “No.”
“You’ve neverthankedus.” Mansi raised an eyebrow, not completely convinced, as she settled back in her chair, her dark cropped vest riding up her toned torso. Underneath it was a ruffled violet hem that came up just above her navel.
Marina tossed the top of her strawberry in the bin beside the cabinet and poured herself a cup of coffee. “I suppose I am turning over a new leaf.”
She sipped the hot silky beverage, holding the teacup on its saucer. The delicious flavor warmed her throat, and she took another drink, uncaring how the hot liquid melted the skin off the top of her mouth.
“Are you okay, Marina?” A fissure of concern cracked through Viviana’s stoic expression as she adjusted the collar of her white silk button up, the fit hugging her petite physique.
Viviana had always been the voice of reason when Marina was too harsh, or as a disciplinary to Mansi when she was too rash and made senseless decisions—like throwing explosives at villages in the Mortal Lands, where her enemy just happened to be hiding. Their friendship of nearly three centuries made it impossible not to know each other better than they knew their own selves.
“Yes.” Marina poured cream into her coffee, watching it swirl on the surface.
“Really?” Viviana probed, her tone adopting a parental note. “Your father just died, and you have yet to see Mira?—”
“I’m fine.” Marina pressed her tongue against the back of her teeth. The coffee crawled up her esophagus, but she swallowed it down.
Mansi snorted. “You’ve always been stubborn.”
“It would be okay, you know, if you weren’t okay,” Viviana said.
“But I am.” It came out like a sigh, hoping to convey the assurance they needed.
Viviana stared at her for a long second, and Marina’s skin itched under it.
“Okay.” Mansi let out a breath and picked up her fork. “When you feel the need to kick someone’s face in to let out all of those emotions you’re harboring, you know where to find me.” She took a bite out of her sausage and grinned wide, meat chunks sticking out from between her teeth.
“Wonderful.” Marina’s lips quirked at the sight, unable to hold Viviana’s intense gaze any longer. She took a final drink of her coffee and placed it on the table. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a High God to visit.”
