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The love she had for him filled every corner of her soul.

Naia pulled away with her forehead on his. “We will always find our way back to each other. I love you, Ronin.”

He shook his head.

She knew he wouldn’t say it. He didn’t need to, and she didn’t need to hear it. Saying it aloud meant it was finally over. The last of their time together—for this lifetime. It would be a deep ravine filled with the somber weight of grief and heartbreak for a while, but eventually, he would find his way back. He would raise their son and have the family he’d always longed for.

Rupturing through her chest, agony seared her body and emerged on the other side. Somewhere between releasing Ronin and making her way back to Cassian, the ache stretched into a fist-sized hole, and it was as if her heart had fallen out.

It was best to leave it behind with those to whom it belonged with.

Ronin roared out, reviving his blood briars back to life.

One shredded through Theon’s backside. He collapsed, wheezing for breath. Another impaled Solaris as he dove to catch Ronin. Several severed through the air for Cassian.

The High God’s reflexes were unmatched as he maneuvered with little effort. Clearly displeased, he shot a deathly glare in Ronin’s direction, telling Naia his patience was limited.

Naia spun on her heel, prepared to knock Ronin out to keep him from interfering, when she found Yuki’s small frame tackling her brother from behind. She locked her petite arms around his torso, and wrapped her legs around his knees. Together, they both rolled onto the ground.

Ronin struggled to crawl up to his feet with Yuki strapped to his back.

Arms and legs kicking around, he bellowed Naia’s name.

She gave him one final smile. “Please forgive me, Ronin.”

And then she took the High God of Death’s hand for the last time.

36

THE EXCHANGE

The journey to the Land of the Dead was through a hallowed, sacred hall. At its end ahead, fluffy, deep lavender branches swayed in front of a massive black structure.

“Will you force me to live eternity in Moros?” Naia clenched and unclenched her fingers into fists at her sides. Anything to distract herself from the agony of her heart shattering in the walls of her chest.

Later, she could process everything—everyone—she’d lost. For now, she needed to hold herself together.

Oddly enough, beneath her turmoil, she had peace, and she clung to it, knowing she’d made the right decision in sacrificing herself. No matter how much she longed to witness Ronin as a father, or her son as he grew up.

Cassian strolled in front of her, hands tucked away in his pockets. “I have no intention of locking you away to live out your days in a prison cell when you have not committed a crime.”

A sliver of hope braided in her. “Then what do you intend to do with me? You vowed to make my life a living hell.”

He pushed his damp strands from his forehead. His hair was cut shorter on the sides. The longer strands settled in a disheveled mess. “Seeing as how I did not anticipate you would have the wits or intelligence to break my curse, I am still deciding on how I wish to confront you for ruining my plans. Whatever I choose, I can assure you, it will be painful.”

She didn’t quite believe him. Aside from his usual poised composure, overshadowed by the tension in his tone and shoulders, Naia could sense his exasperation. It was in the way he addressed her, how his threats lacked lethality, as if his heart wasn’t in it. She supposed breaking her curse had killed some of his spirit.

“Will you ever allow me to see them again?” Naia quietly inquired.

Cassian halted in his step.

She stopped behind him.

“You belong to me now, Little Goddess,” he said without looking over his shoulder at her. “Once you enter the gates of my land, you cannot leave unless I grant it.”

Another cage.

It appeared her destiny was to always remain trapped.