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She took in a deep breath, heart pounding. “I am staying.”

“You’re my first wife. You belong with me in Runevale. You can have your palace back. We will have a celebration, and the entire territory will worship you.”

It wasn’t even a temptation. She’d rather live in a small hut in the middle of nowhere than go back to that palace that was nothing more than a gilded cage. “I do not want to go.”

“Why?” he narrowed his eyes at Thane. “Because of him?”

Her heart lurched into her throat. He could not think Thane had anything to do with this or he’d kill him. “I am not one of your wives any longer.” Katana was surprised at the strength in her own voice. “Things are going to be different now.”

“You were always much more than one of my wives. You’re my first,” he said sharply. “And things may be different, but it doesn’t change that you are my wife. We’re leaving.”

“I said, I am not going. Valeen needs me.”

“What could you do to help her? You’re even weaker now than you were before. I can sense you are mortal, like a delicate flower that could be crushed with little force. You need me to keep you safe.”

“I will be fine on my own.”

His posture visibly straightened, and he pushed his shoulders back, puffing up his chest. “According to the laws of Runevale, as my first wife, you belong to me.”

“Death freed me from those chains. We are no longer married, and besides, I do notbelongto you.”

Atlanta sighed and took her hands. Her skin crawled with his touch, and she pulled, but he clamped down harder. “Katana, I missed you. You were the most important person in my life, and then you were just gone. I didn’t know what to do. Our children miss you. Please come home. Yes, I took lovers to fill the void, but they mean nothing.”

“You took lovers long before I died.”

“It’s only natural for gods. But you’ll always be my number one, my first love, you know that.” Atlanta’s jaw muscles flickered. “You’re the goddess of day, a primordial. They mean nothing compared to you. If you come with me, I’m sure I can help with Valeen’s situation. I have sway with the council. Pricilla can be… persuaded.”

“You will only help her if I go?” she asked, face scrunching in confusion. “You do not even care that I am alive, do you? This is about how you will look if I do not go back to your side when everyone finds out I am here.”

“Enough.” He turned and began to pull her with him. “Come. We’re leaving.”

She finally tugged out of his grasp. Atlanta looked at Thane again, gaze raking over him, assessing a threat.

“Time has not made me forget, Atlanta.”

“Where are you getting these ideas?” Atlanta demanded.

“I am not going. I do not want to be withyou,” she snapped, showing her fire for the first time. Fire that had been stamped out long ago. Maybe a spark of it was still there.

She didn’t even see his hand coming, only felt the crack of it against her face. Pain exploded in her cheek, far worse than any blow he’d delivered to her before. This fragile body couldn’t take hits like this. Everything around her tilted, she felt herself falling and then hit the stone. Scared to get back up, fearing what he’d do if she did, she stayed down and brought her hand to her mouth. Blood streamed into her cupped palm.

“Do not speak to me in that tone again,” Atlanta said so calmly it was eerie.

The low growl and footsteps made her push up slightly, just in time to see Thane smack Atlanta hard across the face, then again with the back of his hand. A red welt appeared on both cheeks. Atlanta took the hits, then lifted his chin with a snarl.His crown was misaligned but held on. A bead of blood welled crimson.

No.

Panic shot through her, and on wobbly legs and with a throbbing head, she pushed herself up. “Thane, no.”

“You won’t lift that hand when it’s someone your own size?” Thane snapped. “Are you going to do something or just stand there?” He reached back and pulled out his sword.

A scream caught in her throat. Her heart crashed wildly as she staggered closer.

Atlanta dragged the back of his hand across his mouth, wiping the blood away. It was difficult to make an immortal bleed. “I could crush you, mortal. Easily drown you in my sea.” Water suddenly whirled around his legs.

“And I could peel your skin from your bones. Maybe you can’t die, but you’ll wish you could.” He pulled out his other sword. “Choose your weapon.”

Katana stepped between them and held up one palm to Thane and the other to Atlanta. “Please,do not fight on my account. Please, I beg you.Please.” Atlanta would end him, and she couldn’t live with it. It would break her. She would want to die.