The god’s smile is bright. “It means you’ve been blessed by forces older than the gods. It means you were always meant tofind each other, across all realms and times, no matter what the universe tried to throw at you.”
“I have so many questions,” she murmurs, her magic stirring in the air—like she’s ready to summon water into a thousand shapes if it helps her understand.
Ghost nudges my hand with his nose, his presence filling my mind—strong and defined. And there’s something new there, too. A golden thread woven through our connection, linking us to Nebula and, through her, to Sapphire.
If anything ever happens to bond me to Sapphire more than I already am, I think I might die from the sheer feeling ofcompletenessof it all. And that’s saying a lot, given that I’ve died for her once already.
Yet, standing here, any sacrifice seems like a small price to pay for a love like ours.
But I’m snapped out of the daze when Anteros clears his throat, commanding our attention once again.
“Allow the bond to grow, and it will become a source of power unlike any other,” he says. “However, since you passed your trial and your familiars have awoken, our time here—as educational as it’s been—is over. The temple will return to its slumber, and you’ll return to where you need to be.”
He gives us an approving smile, his form sparkling with golden light.
“Wait.” Sapphire steps forward, her hand curling at her side. “What about the Winter King? And the Night Court?”
“Many answers await you,” the god says gently. “But not here. Not now. You must return to your realm, to face the battles that cannot be fought in this sacred space.”
Frustration pangs through me, but I know he’s right. We can’t hide from our problems here. So, I exchange a glance with Sapphire, whose water magic coils protectively at her feet.
From the way her breathing slows, I know she understands.
“Ghost and Nebula will guide you,” Anteros says as the walls start to shimmer, the vines retreating, the ice melting into mist. “But as you continue your journey, you must understand—soulmates are not always forged in light. Some are born in shadow, molded by suffering, and tethered by the unspoken vow that even through darkness and destruction, they will stand together.”
Sapphire stiffens beside me. There’s fear in her expression, but she sets her jaw, defiant.
Frost crawls up my arms.
“You’re talking about me,” I say, the words tasting bitter on my tongue. “After all, destruction follows me everywhere.”
“You carry both ice and shadow, Winter Prince,” Anteros says with an amused smile. “But that’s not the whole of it.”
“No. It’s not.” I reach for Sapphire’s hand, letting her warmth melt my ice. “Because without her, I’mnotwhole.”
“And yet, the two of you were tethered together in light,” the god says cryptically, glancing at where Sapphire’s fingers are entwined with mine. “With a warmth that ignites your souls.”
“So, we’re the golden standard. That’s comforting,” I say, my voice dripping with sarcasm. “I’m sure that whoever you’re talking about now will be thrilled to know they won’t be as lucky.”
Water swirls at Sapphire’s feet, her focus locked on Anteros, as if she can read his mind if she stares at him hard enough.
“Who elseareyou talking about?” she asks him.
He regards us both for a long moment.
Then, finally, he speaks.
“Sometimes, the ones who fall end up there by choice,” he says, as if another cryptic message should clear up the rest.
Sapphire’s breath catches. “And other times?”
“Other times,” the god says, “they fall because they believe there’s no other way.”
The temperature in the chamber lowers, and Sapphire presses closer to me.
I circle an arm around her shoulders, wishing I could shield her from Anteros’s hinted truths.
“Is it someone we know?” she asks softly.
