Page 1 of Killian
Chapter 1
Death reclined until her head rested against a soft golden pillow. Throwing her arm above her, she crossed her feet and stared upward, seeing nothing.
“What ails you?” Eternity asked from a chaise nearby. Although Death and Eternity had spent many millennia without speaking, their relationship had mended. Speaking her feelings aloud didn’t make Death comfortable, but she was grateful to have a best friend in her sister again.
A disagreement about the Fae realm that was now destroyed had splintered them. But what Death had truly hated was the way Eternity had grown detached from everything. To save herself from hurting over the many eternal beings whose lives were snuffed out, Eternity had withdrawn and spent much of her time lost in slumber. If she was asleep, Eternity could not feel, and her escapism had angered Death. Probably because Death had often wished for a way to flee her troubles, and she had no way out.
Unlike her other ethereal sisters, Death’s duties never ended. She had her own realm of spirits requiring care. Or at least Death believed it was necessary to ensure the dead undeserving of suffering had everything they needed and thosethat merited punishment received every ounce of pain they’d earned.
Thankfully, Eternity’s heart had mended, and she’d adapted to her role of watching those granted immortality. People still died. Eternity would forever mourn them. But Death hoped her sister had learned that she, as caretaker of spirits, would tend to those people to the best of her ability. They lacked many of the things they’d had in life, but Death offered everything in her power to them.
“Death?” Eternity asked.
Irritated that her sister had interrupted her train of thought, Death scowled. “What?”
“I asked you what was wrong. Something is clearly on your mind.”
“Of course it is,” Fate interjected with a smug smile as she fussed with her long glittery gown. “Death believes she is mysterious, but she has no talent for hiding her feelings.”
Death clenched her teeth. She squashed the part of her that wanted to snap out an insult and march out of the room. That had been her way for far too long, and although she loved her home in theebirllobarealm she commanded, it was lonely without her sisters. Not that Death would ever mention admit it.
“I believe you have many couples desperate for a partner,” Death said to Fate. She was the goddess responsible for establishing matebonds and selecting leaders for the many races dreamed up by various goddesses. “Instead of bothering me, perhaps you could get to work.”
“What makes you think I’m not working as I sit here?” Fate demanded, her blue eyes narrowed. “The more relaxed I am, the better I can appreciate the qualities a person has and find someone with compatible traits.”
Death used a wisp of her constantly growing power to have her black gown flow seamlessly to the floor in a smoky hazeas she sat up and her bare feet hit the cool white tiles. “Tell me then, who have you decided will be a perfect matebond?”
“She refuses to tell anyone,” Justice said, stalking in with Life at her side. Although Justice habitually wore chain or plate metal, it made no sound as she chose a couch to rest on.
“You know why, so no reason to make me sound unreasonably sly,” Fate defended, crossing her arms. “I trust my sisters in this room but few beyond it. I will have none of our favored people in any realm suffer because someone decides they wish to be mischievous or cruel.”
“I’m not judging you,” Justice replied, flicking her blond braid behind her. “It is a wise choice.”
Fate blinked. “Wait, you think so?”
“Of course, who knows how lives would’ve played out differently if no one had known the connections you’d made beforehand,” Justice said.
Fate responded to their sister, but Death didn’t hear her words. It was impossible to pay attention with her head spinning. Death wasn’t sure what about Justice’s statement had beckoned a strange idea in her mind, but it enticed as much as it appalled her.
“What if we could find out how things would’ve played out differently?” Death blurted.
“I will not destroy a realm and send innocent lives to yourebirllobajust to satisfy your curiosity,” Life snapped.
With a roll of her dark eyes, Death leveled a bland stare at her sister. “I did not mention murdering anyone. Quite interesting that a woman tasked with creating life is so often preoccupied with the ending of it.”
“Stop being so quick to judge Death,” Eternity scolded, her silvery gaze narrowed at Life. Death had to bow her head in case anyone saw the flush of color rising to her cheeks. Having someone defend her was novel, and it created such awarm feeling inside her that her heart overflowed with love for Eternity.
“Excuse me if I thought the goddess in charge of death would want additional spirits in theebirlloba,” Life retorted. “I do not think it cruel of Death to wish for more people to care for; it is what Mother created her to do. Neither of you needs to be so defensive.”
“Stop arguing,” Justice ordered. “Death, explain your idea.”
Raising a hand, Death waved it in front of her face. “Forget it. I don’t know what has come over me, but it’s foolish.” Death wasn’t being intentionally reticent; she doubted anyone would find value in her idea despite her growing fascination with it.
“If you cannot be foolish with your sisters, then where else will you share your thoughts?” Eternity countered.
“I wouldn’t mind hearing it either,” Fate chimed in.
“You know we will pester you until you relent,” Justice said. “You may as well speak up.”
