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"I can shave it down to a single thread," the goddess said. "Thin as spider silk. Delicate. And if either of you"—she pointed one claw at Seren—"consummate with another, the bond will snap."

Gone. Dissolved.

"You'll have your own fate," she added. "Your own life. Choice, Seren. Isn't that what you wanted?"

Seren nodded slowly. "And... him?"

The goddess's grin widened. "Same. But there's a catch, darling. There's always a catch."

She stepped closer.

"Since you are the one to request severance—you must pay the price. The fates linked your elements to prophecy. That power must be returned."

Seren's voice cracked. "I'll give it up. All of it. Just... let me keep my bond with the animals. Please."

The goddess paused.

"Well, damn," she muttered. "That was a letdown. I was expecting more drama. But that’s not like you, is it, Seren?"

She twirled, then sighed. "Fine. Because my lovers have pleased me today and I'm feeling generous, you may keep three of your gifts."

She snapped her fingers. "I'll take back two. As for your mate—" She rolled her eyes. "The shift speed, the strength? That wasn't some average bonding side-effect. That was you. You're like a walking power potion."

Seren looked away, bitter. "No wonder he doesn't want to let me go."

"Exactly," the goddess muttered, suddenly serious. "But don't be so sure, little light. All is not what it seems."

She paced a slow circle, four arms folded behind her back. Then she stopped and looked Seren dead in the eye.

"He'll keep that gift," she said.

Seren blinked. "He can?"

"Oh yes," the goddess said with a shrug. "One gift. As restitution—payment for your freedom. It's the only reason I'll allow it. Think of it as a consolation prize. There must be balance."

She smiled, baring her fangs. "But he won't feel it the same way. It'll be there—yes. But dull. Hollow. Like a blade missing its wielder. The joy of it will be gone."

She stepped close enough that Seren could see the galaxies swirling in her pupils. "You don't have to be anyone's supercharging battery, darling. Not anymore."

Her form flickered—eyes glowing red, claws lengthening, teeth gleaming. Black wings unfurled from her back, casting a shadow over the entire sky. Faster than the blink of an eye, she disappeared to appear behind Seren.

"Still," she snarled, showing all her glinting fangs, "he must be punished. He spat on the gifts of fate. Who does he think he is?"

Lightning flashed. Thunder cracked. Her voice had teeth.

Then, as quickly as it came, it faded.

She coughed delicately. "Sorry. Anger management."

She smoothed her practically non-existent skirt.

"You will no longer feel pain from the bond. No more pull. No more agony. It will be muted at your end. Your mating mark won't hurt anymore when another touches him with the wrong intent."

Her voice grew softer. "You will have a choice, Seren. Freedom."

Then her eyes darkened. "But he... he will ache. Every day. For your voice. For your touch. Until one of you takes the final step."

She stepped back.