Page 78 of Evermore

Minerva rose from her seat and moved toward the door. She clearly wanted Archer to sit with the idea of being king. “The gods,” she answered tightly. “Until a mortal requests the role and devises a strong plan the other mortals will agree to, the golden streets belong to whichever god is holding the most power.”

“That’s me,” I said, rising from my seat to follow her lead.

“Or Ezra, if there’s true balance again,” Tuck said.

“Or Alastor,” Thea said casually. “Since he seems to be holding Paesha and so far, correct me if I’m wrong, the mortals’ power isn’t being affected like the gods.”

“I’m sure you’d like to think so,” Minerva bit back.

Thea shrugged. “Are we dismissed now? Is that what we’re doing?”

“You were never held against your will,” Tuck said. “You followed us here, remember?”

“Well, I assumed… I thought we’d regroup and go back in with a better plan.”

I shook my head. “Never assume anything when it comes to gods, Forger. They will count on it and use it against you every time.”

Red flashed across her cheeks. “Are you warning me against you right now?”

“Of course I am. There are few things I won’t do to get what I want. Almost none at all.”

“Butt stuff?” Archer asked. “Yeah, you’re right, I wouldn’t do that either.”

I shoved him as he walked toward the door. “What the fuck is wrong with you?”

“Probably more things than we have time to list.”

“Do us all a favor and try not to get any reckless ideas while I’m gone.”

“Me?” He smirked. “I was only going to check on the kid. Make sure that Aeris hasn’t corrupted her too much.”

“Finally, sense prevails,” Minerva said, swinging the door open.

I shared another look with her, this one lasting longer than the others. She gave an imperceptible nod before turning to face Tuck. “We’re going to see the Fates.”

The silence that followed was thick enough to choke on. Tuck’s shoulders tensed, his jaw working as he processed what she’d said.

“We?” he finally managed.

“If they won’t listen to desperation, perhaps they’ll consider reason. And if not that, then maybe a little wrath.”

“You can’t be serious,” Tuck said, but his voice had lost its edge. He knew better than to argue when Minerva had made up her mind. And thank fuck for that because I’d never forgive myself if they targeted him for this foolish decision.

“I am,” she said, no bullshit to her tone.

Archer and Thea walked out first, letting us linger behind. Tuck’s eyes remained fixed on us. “The Fates haven’t been kind to us since the loom.”

Minnie smirked. “Then it’s fortunate that I’ve never required their kindness.”

“Keep them safe,” I followed, jutting a chin toward the mortals.

And keep him from doing anything stupid, I added silently, knowing my oldest friend would understand.

Tuck’s slight nod was all the confirmation I needed. And the scowl at the end was the perfect send off.

“Last chance to turn back,”I said, watching another crystal shatter and fall into the void beneath our feet. The sound of it breaking echoed through Etherium’s twisted architecture, a subtle reminder that even immortal realms could die.

“If I meant to turn back, I wouldn’t have come at all.” Minerva moved carefully across the suspended walkway, past buildings that defied logic, towers that grew sideways, spiraling structures that folded in on themselves, all of it carved from stone that absorbed light rather than reflected it.