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“She has done nothing to you.”

“She freed something that belongs to me.”

“I’m not your possession.”

“No,” he agrees. “You’re my greatest disappointment.”

I step toward him.

The floor cracks beneath my feet.

“Release. Her.”

Hypnos glances at Calla.

“Gladly. In exchange for your return.”

My stomach tightens.

“To the statue?”

“To eternal stone. Willingly this time.”

I stare at him.

He smiles.

“Surely the great God of Desire can endure another few millennia without the touch of a woman.”

I look toward Calla.

Her dark curls spill across the pillow. One hand rests beside her face, the same hand that brought me back to life.

I would surrender every kingdom in existence to see those fingers move again.

“How do I know you’ll release her?”

“You have my word.”

I laugh bitterly.

“Your word is worth less than the dust beneath my feet.”

Hypnos’s expression darkens.

“Then perhaps you’d prefer she remain asleep forever.”

I look at Calla.

And make my decision.

“Take me.”

* * *

The bedroom disappears.

We stand inside a vast black marble temple beneath a sky without stars.