Slowly, Cion nodded. She opened her mouth, but Ilav cut in, stepping forward, Vane tense next to Soren as he said, “Are you seriously sayingyouare a god? I thought you were born in a dirt pit in Mise.”
Vane let go of her hand, closing in on Ilav so they were face to face. “Watch. Your. Mouth.”
Ilav looked up at Vane and said tersely, “It’s a simple question. How can she be your goddess wife and a slave from Mise?”
“Kronos didn’t let me live after what I’d done.” The words said aloud were a harsh reminder of Vane’s screams echoing against the palace walls in Arcadia. Her skin raised, as if she was hearing them now, and both Heles and Thessa made low, keening noises behind them.
Vane didn’t step away from Ilav as Cion said slowly, “So, you’re not a goddess, or you are?”
“Gods cannot die,” Soren replied simply. “Not their—our—souls. I am both Sora, daughter of Nyx and Thanatos, as well as Soren, a girl taken from her from her family in Mise.”
A shocked silence filled the area, perhaps the whole valley. The mortal world held its breath as she willingly announced herself. But the terse air broke quickly as Ilav asked, “Goddess or mortal, why in all the world would you pick a demi-god over a king? I mean, your power could have been limitless with Kronos, right?”
Cion interrupted before either Soren or Vane could reply. “We need to go. We’ve already lingered too long, and my father will send more riders if we don’t return soon. He will interrogate you both.”
Soren reached for Cion’s arm, but she shied away. “Cion,” she said, lowering her voice. “Please. I can tell you more, but?—”
“If you betrayed a king once, you obviously would do it again,” the princess snapped. “And besides,” she flicked her gaze to Vane, “I know about his binding to my bloodline. Why wouldn’t you try to kill me and my family to break it?”
“I’m not a monster,” Soren whispered.
“Love makes us all monsters,” she said. “Follow us to camp, or the king will force your hand and tug on that one’s leash.”
She jogged over to her dragon, her dark hair a shadow behind her. Ilav gave Vane a lingering look before doing the same.
Vane feigned kissing her head, murmuring into her hair, “Something is wrong with the boy.”
Soren furrowed her brow.What?—
“Not there.” They had reached Thessa, and Vane kissed her, whispering against her mouth, “He has too much power for a mortal.”
He pulled back and held out a hand to help Soren climb on to Thessa’s back. She remembered the first memory she had of Vane, when she had been able to sense his magic swirling under his skin, in the aura all around him. But Ilav was just a general’s son. How could he be a god, or even half? Could he be reincarnated too?
Ready yourself, Soren,Thessa rumbled.
Soren braced against the saddle as Thessa took off into the air. The mountains swelled around them as they left the valley behind, bringing colder air. To her left, Vane rode on his knees as he had in battle, his eyes ahead on Ilav and his dragon.
A few short hours later, when they circled the training camp again, Soren’s hands tightened on the saddle, unease a steady beat in her chest.Thessa. Did you sense it? With Ilav?
Vane is right. You need to be careful, even with your thoughts.
The unease grew, making Soren feel light in the head. It only got worse when Thessa dove downward, and Soren’s vision grew dark and fuzzy around the edges. She gripped the saddle, trying to take deep breaths in the air rushing by. When they landed, they were immediately surrounded by guards, but Soren was suddenly too exhausted to care. She hadn’t eaten, had barely slept in three days, and it was beginning to wear on her body.
“Dismount, now!” one of the guards shouted. “Both of you.”
Thessa growled, sensing Soren’s weakness.You are not well, and they do not intend to do anything but harm you.
“Now!” the guard barked.
Vane slid off Heles first, and two guards grabbed him before he could go to Soren. He easily fought them off as she struggled off Thessa’s back, landing in a heap on the ground by the time she managed it.
More guards surrounded Vane. He gutted one of them, but before he could reach Soren, a booming voice called, “Stop. Do not harm them.”
Soren watched in horror as Vane’s body locked and his face contorted in pain. Through gritted teeth, he growled at Johannas, “Fuck you.”
The king merely laughed, striding towards them casually. “Good work, daughter,” he said as Cion slid off her dragon. “And you, Ilav Thil, the general’s son—you’ll be rewarded, as I promised. Guards, take them.”
Soren raised her head as the guards dragged her up. Delirious, she reached for her magic but found only whispers. Her vision crossed, and vaguely, she heard Vane shouting her name.
