Page 40 of The Other Side

“It is a long story, one we both already lived. A story we are sadly about to witness as it repeats itself.” I followed his gaze as he stared down at Cypress, welcoming the ignorant human.

“You mean, you were human once too?” I asked. Bastien nodded.

“Same as you. And just like us, that woman will become an alligator too. Let us pray she does not make a deal.”

Cypress took the woman’s hand and guided her up the stairs with a dark and sinister smile. “My pets,” she addressed us, “welcome this delicious new soul, Meg.” Bastien and I both hissed, knowing what fate had in store for us all.

“And so it starts,” Bastien whispered to me.

We watched as Cypress led Meg deeper into the underworld, the two of us shadowing her every move as the story unfolding before me was almost identical to my own. It was an eerily familiar sight.

“She never did love me, did she?” I asked Bastien.

“Truthfully, I do not think any of the gods are capable of love.”

We watched and listened as Cypress began her performance, the poor human like putty in her hands. She opened my eyes, revealing the truth of our love. Or should I say, the perception of it.

“Now, do we have a deal, Meg?” The human raised her arm, her hand shaking Cypress’ as the god leaned in and sealed it with a kiss.

No.

The Pegasus and His Demi-God

TUFT

“Tuft. Tuft, wake up. Tuft.”

Rain hit my face, the cold water running along my face as my lids struggled to open, instantly burned by the sun. I tried to raise my arm and block its light, but I was too weak.

“How is the sun beaming in the middle of a rain storm?” I mumbled. “Gods, how am I even alive? Iris? Iris?”

“She is gone.”

“Iris!”

“My love.” My body stiffened as I immediately registered who the voice belonged to. My eyes snapped open, glaring into the sun as he appeared. It wasn’t the sun burning bright before, but my demi-god.

“How—” Tears rolled down my face as I refused to look away from him. “I must be dead or lost in a dream, because those are the only two ways I can see you.” My hand trembled as I reached for his gold-flaked face. “Sweet death. At least I can be at peace.” He smiled, laughing softly.

“You are not dead, silly Pegasus. I can assure you, you are very much alive.” I blinked, trying to understand how such athing was possible. My hands touched my chest, feeling nothing but a new scar. “You have got to learn to be more careful, my love. Soon, you will be nothing but scars.”

“I don’t understand.”

My demi-god carefully raised me, holding my torso as those damned sapphire eyes stared back at me. He leaned close, brushing back my blue hair as his lips hovered over mine.

“I did the most unimaginable thing: I split my soul and gave half of it to you.”

My eyes widened in disbelief. “But why? Why would you do such a thing? We have been separated for a century—surely, you would’ve forgotten our time together and moved on from me. I–I tried to kill your father!”

My demi-god ruptured into laughter.

“Oh, Pegasus. Who doesn’t want Ozias dead? He can be a real ass.” His hand grazed my cheek as he stared deep into my eyes. “And as for time, this last century has been torture. I have spent every day trying to escape back to you, to save you. I could never forget you, my love, not after all you have done for me. Splitting my soul is only a drop of what I wish I could do for you. Now, let’s waste no more time talking about the past. Let’s focus on the future—our future.” He pressed his mouth to mine, kissing me with so much raw power and strength, groaning as I pressed back.

We embraced one another, falling to the wet ground as we struggled to breathe. I didn’t want to stop, didn’t want to break from him, but I was weak. Weak from dying and being brought back, weak from feeling his love after all this time.

“Forgive me,” he whispered, pulling away with a smile. “You must rest before we go too far.” The demi-god stood, gently cradling me close as he smiled at me. “Let’s go home, my love.”

“I can’t fly,” I whispered as I lowered my head. He gently touched my chin and turned my gaze back to him.

“I will get your wings from my aunt, but for now, let me spoil you.” His cocky, warm smile made my heart do something it hadn’t done in such a long time.

It fluttered.