Page 97 of Gods of Prey
Why? I mouth at him.
He steps closer, his voice low enough that only I can hear. “Because I refuse to watch you suffer for another seventeen lifetimes. Because I’ve seen what these punishments do to you. Because—” He stops, seeming to struggle with himself.
“Because what?” I press, my heart hammering.
The Divine Council’s voices grow louder, their debate intensifying. Sebastian moves to join them, presenting his case with renewed vigor. Jovie catches my eye across the chamber and gives me an encouraging smile. None of them are paying attention to us at this moment.
Revel takes a deep breath. “Because somewhere between hating you and working with you, I fell in love with you.”
The world stops. My breath catches. “You—what?”
“I love you,” he says simply. “I think I have for longer than I realized.”
I stare at him, unable to process his words.The God of Life in love with the Goddess of Death?It’s absurd, impossible, beautiful in ways I can’t articulate.
“You can’t,” I finally manage.
“I can,” he counters. “I do.”
“We’re opposites.”
“We’re complements.” His hand finds mine, warm fingers interlacing with my cooler ones. “Two halves of the same whole. For you, I’d burn down both our realms and build something new from the ashes. I was drowning in darkness until you showed me that death could dance with life.”
I think of our arguments, our grudging cooperation, the way his presence has become something I look for rather than tolerate. The way his smile makes my ancient heart skip beats it shouldn’t have. The way he knows me—truly sees me—in ways no one else ever has.
“This is insanity,” I whisper.
“Maybe.” His thumb traces circles on my palm. “But for the first time in thousands of years, I feel like I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.”
Before I can respond, Caelum calls for silence. The chamber stills, and Revel reluctantly releases my hand.
“We have reached a decision,” he announces.
I hold my breath, feeling the weight of countless futures hanging in the balance. Sebastian stands tall, Jovie’s hand clasped in his. Erebus waits silently in the shadows. And Revel—Revel stands beside me, close enough that I can feel the warmth radiating from him.
“Approach,” Caelum commands.
Together, the five of us move forward. I feel strangely calm now, despite everything hanging in the balance. I’ve done my part and made my offer. Whatever comes next, we face it together.
“Sebastian, God of Life,” Caelum begins again, “your actions disrupted the cosmic balance. However, we acknowledge that punishments must serve a purpose beyond mere retribution.”
He turns to me. “Siennara, Goddess of Death, your offer of sacrifice speaks to your growth. The council sees what these thirty-three lifetimes have taught you about compassion and duty.”
His gaze shifts to Revel. “Your willingness to leave your realm for the sake of balance is...unprecedented.”
Finally, he looks at Jovie. “And you, mortal. Your presence here would once have been considered sacrilege. Yet you stand with dignity among gods.”
Caelum rises, and the other council members follow suit. “We have decided to accept a modified version of your proposals.”
My heart pounds so loudly I’m sure everyone can hear it.
“Sebastian will return to Aurelys with Jovie, who will be granted immortality after she delivers the child.”
“Gods know they’re going to need it,” Myelle says under her breath, earning a sneer from me. I'm already protective over my little niece or nephew.
Caelum continues without pause. “Together they will govern the realm of Life.” He turns to us. “Sienna and Revel will share governance of Umbraeth, with Erebus as their second.”
Relief floods through me so powerfully my knees nearly buckle. No additional punishments. No more brutal deaths. Sebastian and Jovie together. And Revel...Revel by my side.
