Page 103 of A Rising Hope

“Your soul split . . . ” A flash of solemnity flickered across my face. And Finnleah nodded. “How are you feeling?” I asked, this time with no playfulness, no taunting or teasing. For a Creator to make a living being, it required a piece of their soul, of their character.

I raised myself up in the bed, vision darkening in the corners of my eyes. Such a simple movement taking such a definitive toll on my body, as my arms trembled.

“I am fine. Maybe a bit off. Nothing compared to what you are going to be feeling when I am done with you.” She pierced me with her stare. “How dare you?” Finnleah’s eyes sparked with flames as her anger flashed.

“How about an answer for a kiss?” I taunted her, patting the little space next to me on my bed.

“How about I torture the answers out of you instead?”

“Whatever rocks your boat, the queen of my heart.” I smirked, and she shook her head, fighting the tug at the corners of her mouth. “Anything you desire, my love.”

“You are ludicrous.”

“And you are absolutely divine.”

“Your little compliments won’t get you out of this, Bellator,” she grumped. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Tell you what?”

“That youcan’tfucking die?” Her eyes widened, shooting sparks in my direction, her wrathful stare like the most luscious ointment to my bloodied heart.

“Technically, I do die. I just keep coming back.” I groaned, adjusting in my bed, to make myself stand up. I hid the painful winces away from her piercing gaze, but somehow, she knew as she scoffed with disapproval in her tone.

“You shouldn’t be moving,” she finally snapped.

“It’d be easier if you’d come to me, but I am no mountain. I will move myself to you.”

“Well, if you are going to be such an idiot, suit yourself and suffer; why would I care?” She pursed her lips together, irritated by my stubbornness, and yet faithful to hers as she stayed in her chair. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I didn’t tell you because I didn’t want to give you false promises. I didn’t know.”

“Didn’t know what?”

“If I’d wake up or not. You see, I don’t quite know the full concept of how the whole resurrection part of my godhood works. I have no control over it.”

“What?” Her forehead wrinkled, concern and surprise mixed together.

I moved my legs under the blankets, each muscle screaming in protest.

“Why does my body look healed but feel like it got crushed in a pile of bricks?” I wheezed through a long breath, fighting through the agony.

“Turns out I am a shitty Healer,” Finnleah answered, dismissing my question.

“Youhealedme? I fucking knew you could do it!” A pleasant look of pride flashed across my face. But she folded her arms tighter.

“Are you telling me you went there and died not knowing you’d come back?!” she spoke, appalled.

“Something like that.” I tried wiggling my toes, but it was as if they were completely disconnected from the rest of my foot, no better than the piece of chair that was previously wedged into my leg. I shifted to the edge of my bed.

“What the actual hell, Gideon?!” The fire in her eyes blazed.

“It was a gamble. One definitely worth taking.” I grunted, attempting to stand up. My muscles trembled, straining as I forced a step, arms stretched out as I fought for balance—and lost. My body swayed. Finnleah jumped from the seat, her spiteful stare on me, but her arms wrapped around my bare torso, catching me.

“Don’t,” she threatened, my gaze overtaken by her touch as she steadied me. One arm around her shoulder, as I tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. I stared down her nose, mesmerized by her freckles. Her warm breath tickled against my exposed chest.

“Even on the darkest days, I clawed myself through the strongest jaws of despair, feverishly dreaming for a moment like this,” I whispered.

“For a moment where you couldn’t even stand straight?” Finnleah looked up at me, not letting go despite the angerstill wild in her beautiful eyes. But her tone calmed, her heart matching the beat of mine as I held her closer.

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