Page 143

The prince stared at his hands, his shoulders sinking as he glanced up. Deep creases marked the center of his forehead, his brows bunching together. “I don’t know—it’s like she’s—she’s—”

The god grabbed Terin by the collar and pulled him up and off his knees. He shoved Terin against the wall. “She isnotdead,” he spat. “I would know if she was dead.”

Terin grabbed the god’s wrist, tugging it away. “That’s not what I meant, Graeson. Calm the fuck down.”

“Then be clearer next time lest you wish for your heart to be torn from your chest,”he growled.

The god walked to the other side of the room and leaned against the wall across from Terin.The prince stared at him, with different emotions flashing across his face far too quickly for the god to decipher. Human emotions were always erratic, so chaotic and temperamental.

“What the fuck is wrong with you, Gray?”

You’ve done it now, the man inside said.

The god’s nose twitched. “Nothing.”

Terin snorted. “Well, that’s the lie of the century. I’ve known you since we were children, Gray.” The prince squinted at him. “You’re acting weird. Weirder than usual, anyway.”

The god scoffed.

Then, in the back of his mind, he heard the small voice say,He’s going to figure it out. You’re a bigger fool than I first thought if you think you can trick them all. Terin may not be Fynn, but that does not make him any less observant.

It is notIwho am ashamed of myself, human,the god said back to the man trapped inside the cell.It is of no consequence to me if they discover the truth.

Terin and Dani are one thing, but if the others find out? There will be questions. Are you prepared for that?

The god scoffed, both internally and outwardly.

Terin stepped forward, and his mouth fell open. “You didn’t.”

Told you,the man said.

“I thought you had control over it.”

The god grinned, a mischievous glint sparkling in his eye. “Idohave control.”

Terin snorted again. “Obviously not.” He waved a hand in the god’s direction, pointing. “If that was the case, this—”

The god kicked off the wall and stalked forward. “I would be careful what you say next, princeling.”

Terin pursed his lips. Unlike his former twin, Terin was not as outspoken as the other. He was more reserved, careful of his words. Fynneares would have talked back, would have pushed. It had made him reckless. It was probably what killed him in the end, the god thought to himself.

The human banged his fist against the mental door of his cell, his anger rising as the thought traveled through their mind.

It is true, is it not?the god asked.

The man snarled back.It does not matter if it is true or not. Do not disrespect the dead.

As if the god of the dead could do anything to me.

Do not be so ignorant. You are not untouchable.

The god slammed a second door in front of the cell, shutting the human out. It did not do well to dwell on this topic, not right now. There would be a time and place for that. And now was not it.

“We’re forgetting the point here,” the god said, crossing his arms.

Terin raised a brow and crossed his arms over his chest, mocking the god as he stood his ground. “This is important, Graeson.”

The god stared at him, his voice even. “Not as important as Kalisandre.”