Page 53 of Killian
“Festering with anger and plagued by anxiety too,” Death added. But the D’Vaire King did not worry her. While he had endured the unthinkable, his heart remained pure—though he believed it broken beyond repair. Under his trauma, Aleksander was still the man yearning to help others and ensure his family was cared for. What he lacked in this realm was the ability to reach out to the D’Vaires, but Death had to believe that someday he would find himself.
“Rafe is the one with fewer scars in this realm,” Justice said. “Should we put them together soon?”
“It is not time,” Fate declared. “Aleksander must heal. Rafe has hands full, and there is more of his story I want to twist. But I will save it for later. For now, we must stay focused on Dravyn and Killian.”
“I expected their tale to be a sweet one without Killian enduring the loss of the Coven of Warlocks,” Life remarked.
Justice bared her teeth and, with a wave of her hand, made her sword vanish. “Except the blasted dragons intervened. Instead of Killian wading through blood, Dravyn was chained in a damn garden for a century and a half.”
“Again, I must point out that it is good Zane and Marcus have taken a different path and are D’Vaires,” Fate pointed out. “How remarkable is that? I wish to lead others to the D’Vaires down the line. It could help Aleksander to have additional people to focus on. Help him pull himself out of his shell and reconnect with his softer feelings instead of the ones rotting in his soul.”
“Yes, it should be far easier for Damian and Marcus to build their love story on the occasion of them meeting,” Life replied.
“What about Ryan?” Justice demanded.
“What do you mean?” Life asked. “We agreed none of Fate’s mistakes would be in this realm. I did not add Ryan’s soul. What use do we have of him? Without his soul being attached to Marcus or Damian, he has no connection to the D’Vaires or anyone they know.”
“I just wondered if, because the three were initially mates, it was necessary for him to be included in this realm,” Justice explained. “It is a relief to learn Damian and Marcus never have to deal with him.”
“Yes, please remind me again what a disaster I am at creating matebonds,” Fate drawled. “What was I thinking putting Ryan in the middle of Marcus and Damian’s love story? How cruel and foolish I am. How did Mother ever trust me with my important duties?”
Death leveled her dark gaze on Fate’s disgruntled face. “Are you finished?”
“I am just pointing out that when people die, no one runs to your castle and accuses you of being terrible at your job,” Fate said, her mouth still in a pout.
Justice harrumphed. “Death faces criticism often. Far too often if you ask me. The moment someone of consequence dies, the fingers are pointed at her. Despite her vast power, she is accused of yearning for a larger sorcery pool. Do not pretend you have not thought yourself a time or two that Death is less than perfect.”
“The difference between me and the other goddesses that second-guess Death is I think the same of everyone,” Fate replied, flicking her red hair off the shoulder of her sparkling gown. “I trust no one.”
Death was too busy trying to control an extremely uncharacteristic blush at Justice’s effusive defense of her to roll her eyes at Fate.
“I have been one of those that has not reacted well to you, Death,” Life remarked. “I don’t know if you would accept my apology, but I give you one all the same.”
Death released an unsteady breath. She was struggling between her instinct of kicking everyone out of her castle so they would not notice her vulnerability and her desire to be closer to the goddesses she respected most. She swallowed thickly. “Life, we are diametrically opposed. You give life. I benefit from the end of it. Have no fear I hold anything against you. If the truth is told, I admire you. I envy your abilities.”
Life’s smile was surprised and warmed Death’s heart. “Thank you, I have always loved how you care for the souls in theebirlloba. If they cannot flourish in life, it is such a relief to know you ensure they have everything they can here.”
“Yes, yes, we all love Death. We all adore Life,” Fate said, crossing her legs as her dress shimmered under the black chandeliers filled with burning candles. “Let us remain focused on our realm. What is our next step?”
“There is nothing we can do right now, is there?” Justice asked.
“The dragons do not have a leader yet,” Fate acknowledged. “He has not been born yet. But I am thinking we mess with his original birthdate? I am not sure.”
“Nothing should happen until we know how Killian and Dravyn will move forward,” Life said.
“At least they have finally kissed,” Death remarked, recalling fondly how fervently the attraction between the two men flourished when they both forgot to be nervous around each other and discarded all that stood between them.
Fate created a silver fan and whipped it quickly in front of her face. “They certainly did. Such a gorgeous couple.”
“The question is, will it lead to strengthening their fragile bond or will they remain stagnant?” Justice asked.
“For all my power, I cannot see into the future, dear sister,” Death said.
“Part of me is screaming to speed up time so we can know immediately how things fare,” Eternity remarked with a smile for Death. “But the other half is preaching caution, for nothing has turned out the way we thought. Either we are about to be pleased that the first important matebond is moving closer or another tragedy is unfolding.”
“Maybe both,” Life muttered.
“All we can do is try not to allow other events to stress out our people further,” Eternity said. “They have plenty to deal with, and we must be patient. Their lives are different. Very different. There are other matebonds we are curious about, but unless it is a bond guaranteed to flourish immediately, we must stall their meeting.”
