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“I’m sorry. You’re a threat, Calysian. We had to know if you could be contained.”

Madinia had studied me as if I was an insect. A potentially dangerous insect. And the truth had revealed itself to me.

Whatever feelings she has—and despite her pretenses, Iknowshe has such feelings—they are for the man who wandered alone for centuries. They’re not for the dark god. And they never will be.

By finding my grimoires, I’m losing her. And each moment I spend with her will make that loss more painful.

But I can’t end my search. To do so would leave me purposeless. Empty.

The soldiers have retreated, but I hold up a hand, gesturing for Madinia to stay put. She rolls her eyes, waving a hand at her ankle, which must be throbbing by now, and I turn my attention to the wide expanse of ruin in front of us.

My instincts were correct. Three soldiers return within ten minutes, scanning the area for any sign of movement.

I wait them out, and stay hidden, even as the action eats at the darkest part of me.

I do not hide. I am a god.

Clenching my teeth, I force myself to stay put, unsurprised when the soldiers return yet again, half an hour later, disappearing after a quick scan of the fractured earth.

I get to my feet, muscles cramped as I make my way to Madinia.

“Nice distraction,” she says. “Subtle.”

I shrug, and she angles her head, her eyes still on me.

I can’t tell her that the choice wasn’t entirely mine. That I saw the solider with that strand of her hair, saw him look to where she was hiding, and something dark was released within me. Something I could only access at that exact moment.

“Stay out of sight. I’ll check the horses.”

They’re wandering the forest nearby—thankfully both unharmed. Hope is clearly still spooked, but she allows me to catch her, while Fox snaps his teeth at me but complies when I lead both horses back toward Madinia.

I lift her into my arms, and she doesn’t protest, which means she must be in pain. I should have killed the soldiers. And yettheyweren’t the ones responsible for this.

“Are you sure he’s dead?” She points at the hole as we walk past.

I lean over, allowing her to see the crumpled body, the soldier’s head lying at an unnatural angle. “If he wasn’t, they wouldn’t have left him behind.”

Madinia nods, and I scan her face. She can be ruthless when necessary, but she also has a softer heart than she would like to admit.

Our eyes meet, and Madinia raises one eyebrow.

“Would you like me to wring my hands? Would you approve if I wallowed in guilt for the lives lost since this began?” Her beautiful face turns cold. “I heard what they said, and anyone who tries to return me to Kyldare deserves all this and more.”

A strange kind of warmth seeps through my chest. “You’re right. They do.”

Our gazes hold for a long moment before she clears her throat and scans our surroundings. “Why did this happen? What does it mean?”

“It means I’m not the only god walking this continent. One of the others has decided to involve themselves, and they’re attempting to stop me from finding my grimoires.”

She clenches her teeth. “And how long have you had that suspicion?”

“From the moment I saw those bones sucked clean in the swamp. Some of the older gods used to enjoy their…sacrifices that way. Even I’ve heard ofthat.”

“You didn’t tell me.” Her mouth tightens, and she glances away.

I place her on my horse. “Just as you didn’t tell me Rythos would attempt tobefriendme.”

She winces, and I swing myself up behind her. “Stay quiet. The soldiers may have posted sentries.”