Chapter 13 #2
“If anyone wants my opinion, I choose not to participate.” I wasn’t sure what a mud pit had to do with me and Cross, but as I did not like the feel of the rain on my skin, I hardly thought mud would be any more pleasurable.
Ophelia’s bottom lip jutted out and she stomped her foot. “Just keep in mind when I die, you’re gonna owe me so many favors by then.”
“I am death no longer.”
Ophelia canted her head to the side, studying me with those wide, bottomless eyes. “Okay.”
Zinnia turned to Ophelia. “Tabi is gonna wanna hear this.”
Ophelia pulled a vial of potion from the potion bag strapped around her waist. She threw it on the ground and a white swirling portal opened once more. Ophelia stuck her head through the portal and started talking to someone. “Yeah, no, Zinnia says you have to hear this.”
Ophelia backed up and Tabi walked through the portal.
She wore a bright-orange sarong and smelled of coconut tanning oils.
Her ebony skin glistened with the oils, and she held a little glass in her hand with a bright-pink umbrella in it.
Her dark hair stood out from her head in bouncing curls with flowers woven into the dark strands.
Vines covered in green leaves were wrapped around her wrists and ankles.
She smiled at me and hopped on the tabletop next to Zinnia. “Are we fighting with the gods now?”
Zinnia shook her head. “I think he needs our help.” She turned toward me. “Isn’t that why you’re here now? For our help?”
“Yes.”
“Is anyone else confused as to why the God of Death is no longer death and now needs our help?” Astrid moved to Zinnia’s other side.
It was awing to see all the queens in one room together—all but Nova, the Queen of Death who was trapped in the Underworld.
Her absence was obvious, and I realized how much she needed to be returned to her rightful place.
Magic seeped off them in an array of colors.
It was so unconsciously done but weighed heavily in the room.
Their power was so pure, it made me realize I’d always trusted them.
So, I would trust them now and ask them for their help.
I licked my lips and let the truth flow. “I’ve loved only one for my entire existence. Anastasia. She’s but a mere human, and as such she has always been destined to eventually die. The first time I met her I knew I wanted her. She was a soul bound for Asphodel.”
Ophelia winced. “No one wants to go there.”
“I am barred from Asphodel. Those souls are destined for an eternity of solitude. So, I wouldn’t be able to see her.” I glanced around at the rest of them. “Can you imagine knowing where your love was and never being able to see them?”
“No.” Ophelia shook her head. “I always know and keep track of him.”
Cross sighed. “That makes me feel so much better.”
“Stalking is a sport, Cross.” She rolled her eyes. “I’m very athletic.”
“So I took her,” I continued.
“You took her?” Zinnia asked slowly. “What do you mean?”
“I stole her soul and kept it with me.” I swallowed. “Then I snuck her back into the line of creation and waited for her to be re-born to offer her another chance to earn her way into Elysium where I could happily see her for eternity.”
Tabi sighed and took a sip of her drink. “So romantic.”
“So, you got in trouble for doing it one time? That hardly seems fair to take your power for one little . . . transgression.” Ophelia shrugged. “I’ve done worse.”
I lowered my voice. “Might’ve been more than once.”
“How many more?” Zinnia spoke softly, her voice so calm and gentle.
“Several.” I sighed. “Each time she just never made it to Elysium.”
“Oh, you like them baddddd.” Ophelia chuckled.
I shrugged. “I don’t care how Anastasia acts so long as I get eternity with her. Even if she went to Tartarus . . . If I could go there, I would sit in those cells with her. But I can’t. There is only one way. And now it’s too late.”
The room fell silent, and I turned to face the fireplace.
Sparkling gold magic flew past me, moving that ball of flame closer and warming me more.
I hadn’t realized I’d started to shiver once more.
I held my hands out to my sides. “Though I’ve known this body my entire existence, I’m learning now that my senses were dulled.
The sensations are overwhelming. The cold rain, the heat, even my own skin feels .
. . odd. But I need to find her, to get to her. ”
“So the fates turned you into a human as punishment?” Serrina narrowed her eyes at me.
“Yes. It is a punishment to know what eternity feels like and then have it taken away. This life that I have is human now and will end whenever it’s meant to.
” I felt a little spark. There was an edge of excitement in the unknown.
The mundane existence I once knew was now gone.
“Actually, it’s thrilling not knowing what will happen or when I will die. ”
Tucker scoffed. “You think it’s exciting not knowing when you’re gonna die? Most men would fear death.”
I shrugged. “What’s to fear when I know what’s going to happen after I die?”
Astrid walked around me, looking me over. “Well, if we’re going to send you to Anastasia, then we better make you look . . . better.”
“She’s always liked me the way I am.”
“My guy.” Cross scoffed. “Have you looked at yourself? You look like the unhoused, unemployed, and unwell.”
I paused. He wasn’t wrong. I was covered in filth, my hair a matted mess, and I had no clothing. “Then you will assist me?”
Zinnia smiled. “Who are we to stand in the way of an ageless love? Yes, we’ll help you.”
Relief washed over me. “If this is the only life I get to have, then I want to spend it with Anastasia.”