“Don’t give me that bullshit. For every curse there has to be a counter one, even I know that!”
“The choice was always hers. Free will—”
“Free will? You fucking blackmailed her,” he snarled. “She bravely gave my damn soul back even knowing what her fate would be.”
The Morrigan waved away his words with an impatient hand. “We are powerful beings, we form alliances. You will find another mate more suited. Matters of the heart are for the weak.”
His hands clenching, the air around him turned icy. “Then this meet is a waste of time. You say nothing I want to hear. Leave. Take your birds with you. I am not bound to the laws of the Celtic pantheon or interested in your plans.”
“Blaéz.” She pushed back the hood of her gray cape, appearing a little flustered. “Had I not gifted her bloodline with your soul, you would have never met. She fights her destiny, lingers on this realm just to be with you.”
Her declaration was a punch to his heart. Images of Darci lying dead on the ground filled him with anguish, knowing that it would soon come to pass. Not even Aethan’s ability could bring her back this time. He’d come across Aethan and Týr pouring over the ancient scripts, searching for a way to help Darci. But nothing could, not with what The Morrigan had done.
Blaéz rubbed his burning eyes. “How long?”
“I cannot say…” She paused and he knew she was already scanning Darci. “A day. Two.”
Oh, Christ. He squeezed his eyelids shut, his heart shuddering in pain. How the hell was this fair? At the light fingers brushing his jaw, he jerked away, eyes snapping open. Her hand clenched. He spun around and made for the door.
“Blaéz, wait.” He ignored her and entered the living room, but her voice followed him. “There is one other way, but as a mortal, it would be hell on her. The price too high.”
He pivoted. The Morrigan stood in a patch of sunlight on the porch, looking the exact opposite of what she truly was, like some fucking merciful deity, instead one of death. “What?”
“To save her, I can create a pact with The Forces that rule the Limbo Realm. All that is needed is her blood oath.”
He walked back outside. “And the price is?”
“When she dies at the end of her mortal life, The Forces will claim her soul as payment. She would never be able to leave or ascend to the final resting place for humans. To their Heaven.”
Blaéz glared at her in disbelief. “You are fucking crazy if you think I will put her through that hell. She gave up her life for me—me!”
“Nothing is without cost, it’s always about balance. Your soul was loaned to her in good faith. It was never hers. She only exists now because I gifted it to her. Even if you do claim her in the elemental way of our kind, there is no guarantee of a soul joining. Hers is too frail. Besides, as immortals, we only have one chance at that—do not waste it.”
Unable to handle the fury raging through him, he punched the wall beside the door. Pieces of rubble rained to the floor.
“Blaéz!” She grasped his ruined hand.
He shrugged her off. The pain spreading through his cracked bones and bleeding knuckles did little to mend the ruptures in his heart. Rage gave way to crushing agony, as if his entire being had splintered into a million pieces. He had to go back to Darci, knowing he’d failed her again.
Two days—two miserable fucking days! Or accept the Limbo deal so he could have her with him.
God damn him and hismotherto Hell.
* * *
Blaéz stalked into the kitchen drenched with sunlight, but nothing could melt the ice inside him. How could he damn the love of his life to oblivion? Have her live forever in a gray in-between world, unable to have eternal peace? Watch others pass through to a final resting place she could never ascend to, just so he could have her?
He squeezed his eyes tight and knew he could never do that to her.
With a heavy heart, he picked up a pot and poured the energy strengthening tea Hedori had brewed into a cup. She needed the potion now with her lack of appetite. The kitchen door opened and Michael walked inside. “We need to talk.”
“Not now.” He’d already wasted too many precious minutes of his two damn days away from Darci.
“It will only take a minute. I spoke to Gaia.”
At the ancient goddess’s name, Blaéz slowly set the teapot aside and met Michael’s unwavering stare. “It could have waited. I have eternity for you all to screw me over.”
Michael said nothing. His usual annoyance at Blaéz’s determination to flout his rules was a kick in Blaéz’s face. Just as well the Arc had cut out the pity. He didn’t need that shit right now. “Just spill, Michael, what is it?”
