Page 90 of Amber Gambler

Kierce fell silent again, without answering my second question.

“What about the acolyte thing you mentioned?”

“I won’t make you beholden to me.”

“Between the two of you, I would much prefer you in my head.”

“I understand now it would be a violation. You would regret it, regretme, in the end.”

Worshipdidskew any relationship that might grow between us toward skeevy and manipulative.

“I think it’s time you break it down for me.” I girded my loins. “What was the purpose of your tree?”

“The tree is a living anchor.” He touched the brand on my forearm. “With a drop of your blood on its bark, you could have summoned me across worlds. I would have been a tithe away, no matter the distance separating us.”

Kierce at my fingertips did appeal. “That does sound nice.”

“It could have been.” He cast me a rueful smile. “Eating the fruit, if you chose to, would have given you strength, power, and a deeper connection to me.” He turned somber. “I would have warned you of the repercussions before you made your choice.”

“I believe you.” I trusted his word. “And thank you, for trying to give me those things.”

“It was selfish of me, to desire that tie to you.”

“I accepted your brand, so maybe I’m the selfish one.”

“I wish I could purge him from you,” he said, that possessive edge cutting in, “but time is the only cure.”

“You’re saying I’m stuck.” I flopped back on the mattress. “All I can do is wait it out.”

“That would be the safest course of action, yes.”

“What would have happened if Lyle had finished the job while I was bleeding god juice?”

“There’s a chance you would have come back, but you wouldn’t have been yourself.”

“Are we talking zombie or…?”

“That’s how—” he didn’t want to finish the thought, but he pushed through, “—I was made.”

Jerking upright, I couldn’t wrap my head around it. “Why would Ankou want that?”

“I don’t know, but I will do my best to discover whether it’s his will…or his master’s.”

“What would an actual, one hundred percent death god want with me?”

“I wish I had answers for you, but the gods are jealous and vengeful. They don’t share their reasons with those under their control. Why would they? We have no choice but to obey.”

Bitterness radiated from him, prompting me to ask, “Did you want to become the Viduus?”

“I can’t remember when or why I became what I am.”

“How do you know it was the fruit then?”

“I have seen others made.” His lips stretched thin. “I watched as they were primed for ascension.”

“Can you really call slipping me fruit priming me?”

No instruction manual. No pep talk. No way to prepare myself.

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