Very funny, my sweetling.
I lower my hand and he dips his head.
“I’m afraid we weren’t properly introduced on our last visit. I’m Thayla Godrun.”
I take a step, well, attempt to. Gladian and Sevryn grab my biceps and I fling them off with a sneer.
Phoelius smirks as I reach my hand out toward him.
“It’s my pleasure to meet you, Ms. Godrun. I see our fearless leader didn’t escort you today. Where might he be?”
“Well, well, well. The son of the God of Pain returns to me.”
I take a purposeful step to the right to block Sevryn’s way as he charges toward the God of Judgment. A mocking laugh falls from his chest as he steps to Phoelius’s side.
“Now, Delun. Do you believe it smart to taunt young Seveous? We both know how you’d fare against him without his restraints.”
My attention snaps toward that unfamiliar, deep voice. He isn’t looking at Sevryn, Mara, me, or either of the other two Domain Gods.
“Gladian. Long time no see, old friend. I swear the last time I saw you, you swore you’d never step foot back into the bowels of Hell.”
“Barir. You swore that same day, you were leaving this place. Still working on that, I see.”
My gaze bounces between the two of them. The God of Treachery’s smirk fades and the air grows tense. I don’t know what the hell that’s about, nor do I have time to ask all the questions I want to.
“Well, I greatly appreciate you all joining us, and I swear not to keep you long,” I say as I snap my fingers and grip the signature parchment and pen.
The three Domain Gods focus entirely on me, and I force myself not to shift.
“If you all could just read over this, then sign for me, with your essence, that’d be lovely.”
I plaster on the realm’s fakest smile as I pass Phoelius the parchment first.
Sevryn leans in close to my ear. “Really? You think it’s going to be that simple?”
“Worth a shot,” I mumble.
A moment of silence stretches on before the God of Judgment tosses his head back, laughing and clutching the God of Redemption on his shoulder.
“Oh, Ms. Godrun, I pegged you for something special that day in the Judgment Rings, but not a fool. You must know we’d never sign something like this. The God of Death hasn’t come anywhere close to fulfilling the expectations of his role here.”
I swallow down my own opinions and emotions, especially those I have about him, and take a deep breath.
“What expectations exactly hasn’t he fulfilled?”
His laughter tapers off as he catches the seriousness in my tone.
“He is supposed to be here, ruling. Instead, he comes and goes as he pleases.”
“And yet, when he was coming here and fighting in theJudgment Rings, you had no complaint. Why is that? What did you get out of him coming here then?”
His eyes narrow and I smirk.
“You know, I remember a moment while he had you strung up in his power, he lowered his voice and whispered something to you. Care to share with everyone what that was?”
Phoelius and Barir pivot toward the God of Judgment.
“Delun,” they say.
