Page 187 of The Spider Queen

I beat and battered against Thane’s strong chest as he held me to him. I cried and lamented. Though I’d already known I was changing, I’d still felt like me. Now…I reached down into the place inside of me, wanting to discover who I was, afraid that I was becoming more of a what instead of a who.

“We must keep moving,” Virbius said, his tone grave. “We still have a few days yet before we reach the desert.”

I scrambled away from Thane and shot to my feet, surprised to find I wasn’t exhausted. Despite the nearly freezing to death, despite the fact that I only had half a heart…

It’s gone. The part of you that slowed you down. It’s been removed.

The inside of my chest felt empty and cold, yet unmitigated fury boiled underneath the surface of my skin. I was hot and cold, split in half.

Is this a psychotic break? All I feel is rage.

I wish I had the answer. I know you blame me. As you should. This is my fault.

I tried to sift through the anger to find the tender feelings I knew I had for him, but it was hazy, murky, like I was swimming through the dark waters of my own emotions.

The guilt I’d been feeling over the loss of Hunter was no longer present.

Neither was my love for him.

I searched the deepest part of myself, trying to summon the feelings I’d once felt. It hadn’t been long ago. Feelings didn’t just disappear into oblivion.

But mine had.

Thane’s face was devoid of expression, which I knew meant he was feeling everything deeply. My ire had not been directed at him, I realized. I softened, my lips wanting to trace his.

There’s nothing left of him now.

Memories of him.

I shook my head.My heart doesn’t even remember how I used to love him. As you pointed out, the only part of my heart that’s left is the immortal part. And even though it’s only half, the entirety of it belongs to you. It lovesyou.

Thane took a step closer to me.I never wanted your love this way.

My smile was sardonic.I know. But now you have me. All of me.

What was left of me, anyway.

Chapter 25

We didn’t stop to sleep or eat. I found I didn’t need to. Not with my newfound immortality. And rage was its own type of energy. So we plowed on, didn’t speak much, each of us lost in our own thoughts. For some reason, we were still flying under the radar despite me having used magic. I wouldn’t look a gift horse in the mouth, however. Xan had sent swarms of angry wasps to kill me. A few times. He’d failed, clearly. But what would he would do next?

I was immortal.

I was extremely difficult to kill.

If we saved the world, I’d have a long life with Thane.

One long life with the same man.

Do immortals believe in divorce?

He shot me an amused look.No. Though the Greek Gods seek other options.Immortality is long and they get bored.

So I can expect you to seek new options when you grow bored with me?

I’m not a normal immortal.

I snorted. Was there such a thing?