SELENE
Eighteen years later
“Drayven.”
I sigh as I enter his study. His desk is a mess, the top littered with scraps of used parchment and half-empty mugs of coffee, and whiskey, and Creation knows what else.
“What has gotten into you?”
“She should have been here by now.” He lifts one of the mugs, taking a deep drink before spitting the cold liquid back into the vessel. His nose scrunches in disgust.
“You’re sure it’s today?”
“Yes, my light. I am sure it’s today.” Drayven tries and fails to hide his irritation at my question. “I am the Dark God of Death. I know when a name is added to the scroll of souls, especially when that name belongs to an immortal god of the Golden Pantheon.”
“He always gets like this, Your Majesty.” Corvus perches on the back of black leather chair where the god sits.
“Tell me again how you know she’ll be here,” I push.
Drayven’s fingers tangle in his white hairas he sighs. He wants to resist my attempt to calm him by forcing him to recount the details he’s already told me, but he rarely denies me anything I ask.
The dark purple blooms in the vase beside him wither as he expends a sliver of his infinite magic.
“Today’s scroll contains so many names in one central location that it’s nearly an offering to War. All soldiers, all in the palace where the Wolf God has taken residence. The Reapers have been tailing their little party and reporting back on how Ivy’s power is growing. If Mikais’ name is on the scroll today, that can only mean one thing.”
There’s an odd spark that flickers in his eyes when he talks about our daughter. Pride, tinged with a pinch of worry and a dash of regret. He would never admit to any of them, so instead of calling attention to it, I tuck it away in my heart.
“I told him it could be the boy, but he refuses to hear of it,” Corvus chirps.
“It isher,” Drayven growls. “She will overextend herself and the magic will bring her here. This is what it knows. This is its home.” He pushes from the desk in an exasperated huff, the chair smacking the desk as he stands.
“If Mikais was dead, you would have felt it, right?” I ask, tentatively stepping toward him and placing my hands on the sides of his arms.
“Of course. The death of a god is felt in every realm.”
“Okay, then we have time.” I smile sweetly at him. “She will probably arrive in the throne room anyway. Why don't we walk that way together? It might calm your nerves.”
“I do not have nerves.”
Corvus lets out something that sounds like a chuckle at the god’s continued denial. The noise, one I didn’t know a raven could make, elicits several giggles from me before I can tamp my mouth shut.
“You two are insufferable together.” Drayven groans. “Bird, you are not needed when the girl arrives.”
“I think the girl might enjoy my comedic relief. Everyone loves an animal sidekick.” The raven prances across the back of the chair, preening and shaking his iridescent feathers.
“Thegirlhas a name,” I chastise them both as I usher them out of the study and down the dimly lit halls of the palace.
“She does,” Drayven agrees. “And she will also be terrified.”
Terrified doesn’t feel like a strong enough word for the emotions that will plague Ivy. If Death’s deadly magic wasn’t enough, there is also fire and grit and steel in her veins. She will be no better than a caged animal. Full of rage, coated in blood, and scared for her life. Not to mention the life of her fated that she will undoubtedly have left behind.
“Don’t worry, Corvus. We will both get our chance to meet her one day.” I stroke the raven on the head with my index finger, my memories filling with images of the young child I left behind. A girl who must be so different from the woman heading here today. “Why don’t you go check on Amaya? She had a rough go in one of the mortal realms.”
“Again? That Reaper cannot seem to stay out of trouble.” The bird reluctantly flies off to investigate the fabricated incident, leaving me alone with my husband.
“It will be better this way, my light.” Drayven offers me his elbow and I lace my arm through it as we stroll his halls. “The second she lands in this realm, she will be looking for a way out. There is information that she must know before she discovers she has the power to leave.”
“I know.” I smile sadly. “Finding out who she really is will be hard enough for her. A reunion would be too much.”
