Page 119 of Fallen Gods

I close the door behind me, as if a simple door could save me from myself. Because the truth is, I don’t need a mythical weapon to draw me to Aric.

I’vealwaysbeen drawn to him.

“You don’t have to be like him,”I said on the beach, before our hands touched and the ocean froze and everything was ruined.

“Maybe I don’t want to be anything else.”

Is that still true? Is Aric really a monster like my father? Does he want to be?

And all I could think at the time—can think now—is that he was just like everyone else. He was given me, and even then he didn’t want me.

I shake the thoughts away, looking at myself in the mirror. “Chill, Rey, just chill.”

I leave the bathroom and stop at the paintings again.

“It really would be nice, though,” I repeat to myself. “If love stories like that were real.”

Chapter Sixty-One

Rey

When I get down to the lake, a game of beer pong is in full swing, distracting me from my usual fear of open water. I laugh when I realize Reeve has teamed up with Eira, then am floored to see their opponents are none other than Aric and Rowen.

Days ago, I would have used this as an opportunity to search the enemy camp without supervision—but days ago, I didn’t have a partner in crime. I’m finding that maybe I don’t like working alone as much as I thought—plus, it’s nice, having someone on your team for once, however short-lived it may be.

“Unlikely alliances,” I joke as I sidle up next to Aric.

“Just setting our alibis, like you said,” he murmurs. “As soon as I mop the floor with them, we’ll go get that rune.”

“Reyyyyyyy!” Eira slurs. “Come play with meeeee!” Oh Gods. Looks like she’s been losing.

“Care to sub in?” Reeve asks me. “Don’t worry, Stjerne. Appearances aren’t what they seem. I might look lazy at times, but I never lose.”

His eyes lock on mine as if daring me to call him on it. Then, with zero effort, he tosses the ball. Perfect arc. Perfect drop. Right into their cup.

Okay. Game on.

It takes a few throws before I’m realizing this is actually…fun. Rowen and Aric make an unsettlingly good team. Reeve and I trash-talk them all the way to the last cup. His shot.

“Focus!” I smack him on the chest. “Don’t let down the team!”

He rubs his chest like I actually hurt him. “Stop hitting me and I will!”

Then he turns around, throws the ball sloppily over his head…and it lands with a satisfyingplop.

The crowd explodes.

“Victory!” Reeve bellows. And I must admit, this feels pretty great as we high-five.

“Good game,” I murmur as I shake Aric’s hand. Any moment now, we’ll be able to slip away as the next game draws an audience.

But Reeve seems to have other plans. His eyes gleam as he raises his arms, commanding attention. “Before we continue!” People start chattering around us. “It is time to honor an old Endir tradition. Helmet!”

Chants ripple through the crowd until it’s an unsettling roar. The lightness that had bubbled into my chest during the game is gone.

Helmet!

Helmet!