I lean into it, my soft flesh leaking a single drop of blood. I force myself to look Selene in the eyes as I utter my damning confession.
“Isn’t it always what we love that kills us?”
The corners of her lips tug up in a soft smile as another tear streaks down her cheek, mirroring my own.
“Are you finally admitting that you love me, Dray?”
“You have my realm, my crown, and my blood. I don’t have a heart, but if I did, it would be yours. You could eradicate every shadow, illuminate every inch of caliginous obscurity, and rip the Under Realm to fucking shreds—and I would relish every godsdamned second as long as you were at my side.”
The god blade clatters as it hits the marble floor. Selene’s chest heaves with rapid breaths. She wants to be angry with me. I can see it in the pained tears that crest over the rims of her eyes and in the tremble of her hands—but she is just as ruined as I am.
“Are we doomed to forever be apart?”
“We can have a day or two, but…yes, Selene. Death is no companion.”
She stares into my eyes, her pain morphing into determination. “Then we will take whatever moments we can get.”
The Goddess of Light takes my face between her hands. Her magic skates across my skin—light and blood and somethingshocking. Disbelief courses through me as the blood bond between us pulses with the unmistakable flutter of a tiny heartbeat.
Conception within the Golden Pantheon doesn’t happen at random. There are neither risks of accidental pregnancies nor the need to prevent them. Each and every god is divined by Creation, and only Creation has a say in the timing and the parentage.
“Selene.” I rise my knees, my hands moving to cradle her face as I take in the gravity of her revelation.
The maker of all gods has decided that the pantheon needs a child with our combined gifts—and needs it now. I shudder at the thought.
What kind of god will be birthed from Death and Light? What powers might they possess? What horrors might they inherit from me?
“We have the chance to bring this child into a better world.” Selene’s face alights with blessed assurance. “The final battle in Mikais’ rebellion is happening tonight.”
The rebellion.Shit.
I stand abruptly, pulling Selene up with me. Terror grips me as the Goddess of Truth’s vision replays in my mind.
“We have to go see Taura.Now.”
CHAPTER 11
SELENE
It’s not hard to locate the Goddess of Truth. Ever since the command came down—from Mikais or Nina, I can’t be sure—Taura has been exhausting her power. The final phase of the rebellion commences, and by the time the sun rises tomorrow, we will find ourselves as victors or exiles.
Drayven leads us down the marble halls of Nobus’ palace swiftly. His entire body is tense, resisting the urge to sprint. Despite his urgency, he doesn’t summon his shadows to transport us in his signature wispy cloud. They flit around us, swirling over his arms and skating across the barely-there swell of my belly, eager to be called upon by the master who ignores them.
Black and red carvings come into view as we round the corner. If the gaudy ornaments weren’t enough to denote that the room belongs to Mikais, the Wolf God lounging against the door certainly does.
“Death!” Mikais exclaims with surprise at the sight of the Dark God. “You have finally seen the light.”
Drayven glares at the god before cutting his eyes swiftly to meand back again. He most definitely has seen the light…just not the one Mikais is referring to.
“I am not here to join your war.”
Mikais chuckles, pushing off the door and stepping into Drayven’s space. The God of Death squares his shoulders, slightly angling himself between me and the Wolf God. It’s a barely perceptible motion, a movement easily written off as simply adjusting his stance, but I notice it for what it really is.
“I have information that may change your mind.” Mikais, ignoring Drayven’s cues, places both hands on the Dark God’s shoulders. “Come, Death. Let’s talk.”
Drayven opens his mouth to speak, but the Wolf God cuts him off. “That wasn’t a request.”
“I need to speak with Taura. Is she inside?” I ask.
