Page 41 of Gods of Prey (Parallel Prey #3)

Sienna

T he Divine Council chamber is cold. It always has been, though I’ve never quite noticed it like I do now.

A chill seeps deep into my bones, into whatever remains of my soul after all my mortal lifetimes of punishment.

Their thrones stretch before me, each seat occupied by a councilor, their faces impassive as marble statues.

Their eyes, however, burn with judgment.

Just like yesterday, we have an audience surrounding us. It seems to have doubled overnight as the news of our fates has spread across all the realms. No one wants to miss this rare event.

I stand beside Sebastian, Jovie, and Revel in the center of the chamber, my chin lifted despite the weight pressing down on me.

“The Divine Council has come together to determine your fates. This is not a task we’ve taken lightly, as the balance of the cosmos is at stake,” Caelum, God of Order, announces.

“During our deliberation, we’ve concluded that the mortal woman is to deliver the child here in Nytheris, then return to her mortal realm alone, where she’ll live out the rest of her days until her soul contract expires,” Seraphina announces in a cold, detached tone.

Jovie stills, her mind struggling to process their words as Sebastian steps forward to speak. His anger radiates off him in waves that I can feel across the chamber. His divine power casts a glow that can be seen from the farthest spot in the audience.

Before he can get a word out, Nyx, the Goddess of Dreams, holds her hand up and silences him with an invisible gag.

“Sebastian, God of Life, you are to return to Aurelys and serve your role without further issue,” Seraphina continues as if nothing happened.

“You and Siennara, Goddess of Death, will finish the last seventeen mortal lifetimes of your punishment before you’re free of all obligations to the Divine Council. ..”

Rage snakes its way through my chest. I can’t even hear the rest of Seraphina’s words over the blood whooshing in my ears and heart pounding against my chest.

This is ridiculous. Infuriating.

They aren’t conceding on a single demand we’ve made, and Nyx has got all four of us gagged now, unable to defend ourselves.

“...Revel will return to Aurelys and serve as Interim God of Life in Sebastian’s absence. Erebus will continue to serve as interim God of Death,” she goes on, as if we’re not all staring at her with enough hatred to set her on fire.

When she’s done, I raise my hand to speak. The seven of them share a questioning look before Nyx hesitantly lifts her palm and I feel my gag fall away.

Blowing out a deep breath, I try to steady my heart. As much as I want to scream obscenities in their faces and destroy this entire chamber, I have to appear levelheaded, or my offer won’t be taken seriously. All of us will suffer then.

“I’d like to formally request that the council add the God of Life’s seventeen remaining mortal lifetimes to my own tally and clear him of his indiscretions.”

Sebastian stomps his foot behind me—a petulant, last-ditch effort to get my attention and convince me to stop.

When I glance over my shoulder, I’m shocked to find tears streaming down his cheeks.

In all our centuries together, Sebastian has never cried in front of me.

Revel stands beside him, a mask of indifference planted carefully along his features.

He’s come to expect these surprises from me.

“You propose to take on your brother’s remaining punishment?” Seraphina’s voice echoes through the chamber incredulously, calling my attention back to her. I turn back to find her cruel eyes narrowed with suspicion. “Seventeen mortal lifetimes added to your own?”

“I do.” My voice is steadier than I feel.

“Why?” asks Elder Lyralei, leaning forward. “After thirty-three lifetimes of suffering, why would you volunteer for more?”

The truth is complicated. Messy. Human . “Because I understand now what we didn’t understand when you first sentenced us. Balance isn’t just about cosmic forces—it’s about love and sacrifice. This all began with my mistakes. My brother needs the time with his child and to serve Aurelys.”

A ripple of whispers passes through the council. I catch fragments:

“ . . . sentimental nonsense . . . ”

“ . . . corrupted by mortal emotions . . . ”

“ . . . no longer fit to rule Umbraeth . . . ”

I clench my fists at my sides. “I stand by my offer. I’ve already proven myself through your trials.

And I suggest an addendum to your final ruling.

Allow Jovie to live out the rest of her mortal contract in Aurelys with her family.

Sebastian has found something rare with her.

Something that makes him a better god, not a lesser one.

He deserves the chance to build that life with his child and mate.

Besides, it’s not fair to deprive their child of a mother. ”

Caelum steeples his fingers. “And what of you, Goddess of Death? What becomes of Umbraeth while you serve these additional punishments?”

There’s a scuffle behind me, and I turn my shoulder the smallest bit to see Revel struggling against his invisible gag. Sebastian is waving his arms around, silently begging me to stop.

But I can’t. I’ll always do what needs to be done for my family.

“Erebus can maintain the balance of Umbraeth in my absence, if he’s willing.

” The words taste bitter on my tongue, but I push forward.

I’ve seen the way this punishment has worn on Erebus.

Out of all of us, he deserves a break. Yet here I am, adding time to his punishment.

“When I return, I will resume my duties.”

“Seventeen additional lifetimes,” Aethon, Goddess of Truth muses. “You would experience seventeen more brutal deaths than necessary for your brother’s happiness?”

I can feel her gaze penetrating my soul, dissecting my words to find a shred of insincerity in them.

“Yes.” No hesitation.

“And what of your own happiness?” This comes from Lyralei, her voice unexpectedly gentle.

The question catches me off guard. Happiness has never been part of our sentence.

Never been something I thought I deserved.

Revel’s face appears in my mind. The softer, happier version than what is fighting for my attention behind me.

The way he looked at me last night, when he thought I couldn’t see him watching me.

The warmth in his eyes that made something long dormant flutter in my chest. The way he made love to me the night he confessed his true feelings.

“My happiness is not the concern of this council,” I reply carefully.

Aethon leans back. “Perhaps it should be. The Goddess of Death finding joy...there’s balance in that too, is there not?”

Nyx must release her gags on the others mouths at that moment, because Sebastian and Jovie’s protests echo throughout the open chambers.

Revel takes a deep breath when he feels them fall away, then steps forward to stand beside me.

My gaze flits up to where Nyx sits, a mischievous smile playing at her lips.

We’re all just puppets controlled by their strings.

“What are you doing?” Revel demands in a growl that somehow reaches me louder than Sebastian’s and Jovie’s shouts.

“This is a matter between the Divine Council and the Goddess of Death,” Caelum snaps at the same time Lyralei asks Nyx to replace their gags. “You have no right?—”

“I have every right,” Revel counters. “You’re discussing the future of both realms. As interim God of Life, whose fate is being discussed, I should have an equal say.”

I glare at him. “This has nothing to do with you.”

He responds with the same fervor. “It has everything to do with me.” His eyes meet mine, intense and unyielding. “You’re not doing this, Sienna.”

“It’s not your decision to make.”

“Isn’t it?” He’s out of breath. He fought so hard against me sacrificing myself for Sebastian’s happiness that he can hardly take in air. Still, he turns to address the council, breaths sawing in and out.

I hate the way that makes my heart constrict.

“I propose an alternative solution. One that doesn’t require further punishment.”

My mouth drops open. “What are you doing?” I hiss.

Revel ignores me. “The issue at hand is balance, correct? Sebastian’s absence from Aurelys disrupts the natural order. But what if there’s another way to maintain that balance?”

Caelum looks intrigued despite himself. “Speak plainly, Revel.”

“I will permanently remain in Umbraeth, sharing rule with Sienna.” His words stun me into silence. “Life and Death, coexisting in the realm of endings. A perfect balance, just as we suggested.”

“And Aurelys?” Lyralei asks.

“Absolutely not,” Myelle finally chimes in, earning a sharp look from Lyralei for the interruption.

“Sebastian returns to his rightful place with Jovie by his side. She receives immortality, and together they maintain the realm of beginnings.”

The councilors exchange glances. I feel the shock radiating from them—this arrangement is unprecedented, blasphemous even.

They’ve already issued their ruling and here I am challenging it with our original proposal.

It’s unheard of. Yet, I can see calculation in their eyes too.

Balance maintained, both realms governed, no additional punishment required.

It’s the perfect solution if their allegiance is to the balance. Any alternative would expose their ulterior motives.

“You would willingly abandon Aurelys?” Lyralei asks Revel. “Your home?”

“No, he wouldn’t,” Myelle barks, staring at her son like he’s lost his mind.

“I would.” Revel’s voice is firm. “As I’ve already proven. For balance.” His eyes flick to me. “For other reasons as well.”

My heart thuds painfully in my chest. I want to scream at him, to demand what he thinks he’s doing.

“Oh for the gods’ sake, you can’t seriously be considering this,” Myelle scoffs, rolling her eyes at her fellow councilors. Then she directs her venomous stare toward me. “You’re making a fool of this council.”