Page 33 of The Other Side

“Tuft traded his soul for your son’s! You owe him everything!”

“I owe him nothing!” The sky turned black, lightning crackling in all directions as I tried to remain composed. “He is the reason my son died in her Underworld! Had he not traded his soul for my son’s, I would have rained all my might down upon that dark hole and ripped it from his body, replacing it with my son’s just as I did my sister’s!” Thunder roared. “That weak, pathetic celestial has caused nothing but trouble, a thorn in my side. He has aided my enemy for over a century, claiming to love my son yet spending every moment in defiance of him, of me. I have no pity for him.” His anger slowly soothed as the brewing storm began to lighten. It made me sick to hear him speak about Tuft in such a way. “I can see we will not agree on this matter.”

No shit.

“Despite your foolishness, I am offering you a chance to change your perception of the truth, mon cher.” Ozias extended his arm, offering Cypress’ potion back to me. The gesture tookme back as my eyes bounced from his face to his hand and back. “Go on, take it.”

“Why? Why are you giving it back to me?”

“Because I am also offering youthis.” He retrieved a second vial, nearly similar from thin air. “Unlike Cypress’ potion, mine is harmless.” I carefully grabbed the delicate vials, examining their thin glass closely. The only difference between the two was a small sun charm hanging from the neck of his, barely visible to the human eye.

“I don’t understand.”

“I am offering you a choice, Iris-Marie. You may use Cypress’ potion against me and hand her the throne she desires so deeply while you fall for her false love. Or, you may listen to reason and switch it with mine. All I ask is you find a way to give her the first potion, taking away her godliness so I may restore peace to all. Either way, you and your Pegasus’ souls will be returned to you.” My eyes snapped up to him. “Wi. If you choose to stop my sister, I promise to free you both.”

“What about Tuft’s wings? You can’t retrieve them from Cypress if she’s human, can you?” Ozias smiled at my question.

“Tanpri, I am a god. I can do anything.”

“Exceptthis.”

He laughed at me. “Indeed, except this. Call it a cosmic joke—two siblings fated to destroy one another but never by their own hands.”

A sad joke.

“Adyeu, Iris-Marie. I look forward to your decision and seeing you tonight. You and my sister.”

Chapter

Sixteen

IRIS-MARIE

“You ready?” Tuft asked, pulling back the mossy canopy that hung over the roof of my old home. We had decided to have everyone gather out in the swamp outside the old shack. There was a large enough clearing within the bayou, offering plenty of space for all to stand and watch. It also gave me a sense of comfort, and right now, with the immense pressure to please not one, but two gods, I needed as much comfort as I could get. That and a stiff drink.

I could hear Tuft’s voice as he spoke, see his mouth moving, but it was muddled and distant. My primary focus was on the delicate potion bottles, both nestled in my pocket. My hand was tightly wrapped around them, second guessing myself and the decision I had made.

“Iris?” I shook the stress-filled thoughts and fears from my mind, forcing an automatic smile. “Are you alright?” Bastien waddled to Tuft’s side, growling as he sensed my apprehension. Tuft’s golden irises examined me closely. “I know you don’t want to do this, but we are so close. So close to ending all of this. To being free.” My hand reached out and touched his pale, scar-covered cheek.

“I can’t wait to see your wings.” Tuft’s eyes watered at my statement, his hand pressing against my own as we stood there, the heft of our choices weighing us down into the swamp.

He had no idea Ozias had summoned me, giving me his own potion. He only knew our fates would be decided tonight, based on how I performed…not the decision I made. And the one I would make tonight was for him. For Tuft.

“When you soar through the clouds and gaze upon that golden city in the sun, I hope you remember how much you mean to me and how grateful I am to call you friend.” I leaned forward and kissed his forehead. “Truly and forever grateful.”

“Wait. How did you know the heavens—” I pulled away before he could finish his sentence, his hand trying to stop me as I stepped around the old shack onto the back porch. “Iris?”

The sound of the townspeople drowned out his voice as I wiped my tears and forced a smile, presenting the strong front they all knew and feared. A few children squealed in excitement, adults equally split as their faces told me they were anxious to see what I promised to do. It was obvious we were all nervous, but the thing that really stopped me in my tracks was seeing her skull-like mask burning in the crowd, revealing herself to me. The flames flickered as she stared back at me with those powerful eyes of hers.

Cypress.

She was here as she promised, in her human form, hidden within the crowd. Part of me relaxed at the sight of her, watching her lips curl as she nodded to me in confidence. I wanted to rush to her side, take her in my arms, and run away from all of this, but I knew it wouldn’t be enough for her. She needed this.

Tuft and Bastien joined me, helping me to the platform they had made just for tonight. I could smell the fear in Tuft’s veins as he gently held my hand. He refused to let go as I tried to walk past him.

“It’s all going to be okay. I promise. I’m going to free you, Tuft,” I whispered to him. “Let me go.” He hesitated, the look of dread washing over him before reluctantly letting go of my hand. The two shadowed me onto the platform, their postures stiff and harsh as I stepped to the front and gazed out into the sea of faces. I took a deep breath, adjusting the grip on my walking stick as I slipped into the character I had created for them all these years.

Breathe. You’re so close. So close to ending all this madness. Soon, it’ll be over, and you can be free. We will be free. All of us. Just give them a show, use the potion, and end this.

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