Page 89

Hands closed around her waist. She twirled around and there he was. Blowing bubbles out, he grabbed her hand and kicked up, bringing them to the surface. “That was too easy.”

He didn’t lean in for the promised kiss, but they held each other’s stare. The gentle waves lapped against his back and pushed him into her. His big hands slipped around her waist, and his eyes fell to her lips. An energy buzzed between them, an invisible cord pulling, winding taut.

“Too easy,” she repeated, and reality crashed down. A flash of Synick pinning her against a wall filled her mind, pushing in for a kiss, pleading with her to let him have her, begging for a union. “Give me an heir, the most powerful heir in all the realms.” And part of her wished she would have, then Katana would be alive. The thought made her sick.

Hel and Synick looked nothing alike, sounded nothing alike, but they were of the same House. He was Hel’s mentor.

Shifting into her lighter, half-shadow form, Valeen rose out of the water and then turned entirely into shadow and reappeared fully on top of the Amonlee cliffs. She snatched up her dress, left the flowers, and marched for her chariot.Too easy,she repeated in her head with a scoff. And he was right.

She slipped her light purple dress overhead, stepped into the chariot and picked up the reins. “Boys, it’s time to go home.” The two geldings stomped and tossed their heads, ready to take flight.

Hel appeared fully dressed and dry in his usual black suit right next to her in the chariot, shifting the weight. “If you don’t want to give a kiss, I won’t ask for it. It must be special to you and I’m not yet. I’d never want to make you feel uncomfortable with me.” He smiled trying to turn the conversation lighter. “But I would accept a replacement price for getting me into the water. Would you go on another date with me? I’ll plan this one.”

Staring straight ahead she said, “I think this was a mistake.” What was she thinking even coming here to meet him? She should have never invited him and his cousin to her home. He was Primevarr, and she swore she wouldn’t get involved in the mating for power games and for all she knew, that’s exactly what he was after, just like his uncle was. Hel had no children yet.

He folded his arms and leaned back against the chariot. “I’ve upset you. I didn’t mean you were easy… it was a foolish choice of words on my part, Valeen.”

“No, it’s not anything you did or said. We,” she finally looked over at him, “are not compatible. We’re too different. I shouldn’t have agreed to… a date.”

“You don’t know we’re too different. You’re making assumptions.”

“I know enough.” She tapped the reins on the horses’ backs, and he grabbed hold before they could move.

“You know what I think? I think you’re scared. You’re scared that I might be the one to change your world and drag you out of the uptight and lonely state you’ve been wallowing in since your sister died,” he leaned closer—too close, she heard his heart beating, “and you’re even more scared that mark on your arm means exactly what we both know it means. And I’m not Synick.” He stepped back and out of the chariot. “Goodbye, Valeen.”

“Wait,” she started.

He vanished.

* * *

Layala blinked rapidly,pulling herself out of the memory. Holy Maker above. Her mind reeled at being sucked back into the here and now. She could almost taste the salt on her lips, smell him as he leaned in close and his words—You’re even more scared that mark on your arm means exactly what we both know it means. Shit. Shit.It was like history repeating itself. He was so—not Hel in that memory. Sweet and playful.

The thrill of that day with Hel on the cliffs made her feel a fondness she didn’t want to. She’d have to fight to hold her tongue now rather than demand to know what happened after he vanished. At this very moment, she felt pulled to that time, wanting to fall back into those memories, and discover how she could merge then and now.

Still gliding on his wings, Hel flew in wide circles below.Is he leaving me up here on purpose?She shook her head.Of course, he is. I just pushed him off a cliff.But Layala thought back to that memory,Valeen—I could fly, or at least hover…I rose right up and out of the water without wings, without anything but my power. And then somehow shifted to another spot.

Layala took several steps back and inhaled three very deep breaths.You can do this. Embrace the goddess. It’s time to accept it. I am the goddess of night.

Before she changed her mind, she ran.Magic don’t fail me!And in four strides she leapt off the cliff. Her stomach felt like it dropped out of her. The wind whipped wildly past, so loud in her downfall she heard nothing else, not even her own screaming. Her magic flared, tingling all over her body, vines broke free, crashing into the rockface to get a hold. But that’s not how she wanted her magic to show itself.Stop falling. Fly! Hover, something!Tears streamed up the sides of her face into her hair.

She did not stop.

A body slammed into her, and strong arms wrapped around her torso. “Are you fucking insane?” Hel shouted, sliding his arm along her backside, and hooking behind her knees, where he promptly pulled her tighter to him. “Were you testing me?”

“What? No.”

“I told you, I won’t let you die.”

“Are our lives tied together like the mate bond you created? I know you need my blood every once in a while but that’s different.”

He let out a huff. “No. They’re not. If you die, I won’t. That particular stipulation is something only in the bond I created. Death isn’t a consequence for most gods. But for mortals I thought it was poetic.”

A closet romantic.

I wouldn’t go that far, but I have a few different sides, love.

A quick dip from a gust of wind made her wrap her arms around his neck for assurance, even though he held her tight. “So, is all this truly only because of something you need from me?” She sounded disappointed even to her own ears.