Page 98 of Gods of Prey
“However,” Caelum continues, his voice hardening, “there will be conditions. Strict ones. And regular reviews of this unprecedented arrangement.”
“We accept,” Sebastian says immediately.
Caelum nods. “Then it is done. The council will convene again tomorrow to outline the specific terms. You are dismissed.”
As the councilors file out, I stand frozen, unable to fully process what just happened. Sebastian sweeps me into a tight hug, lifting me off my feet.
“We did it,” he whispers fiercely in my ear. “It’s over, Sienna. The punishment is over.”
I cling to him, my twin, my other half. “I would have done it, you know. Taken on your remaining lifetimes.”
“I know.” He sets me down, eyes shining with unshed tears. “That’s why I couldn’t let you.”
Jovie joins us, her smile radiant. “Thank you,” she says simply, taking my hands in hers. “For everything.”
I squeeze her hands. “Take care of him in Aurelys. He’s hopeless with paperwork.”
She laughs and Sebastian puts his arm around her shoulders. “We should go. There’s a lot to prepare before tomorrow.”
They leave together, heads bent close in conversation. Erebus gives me a respectful nod before melting back into the shadows, leaving me alone with Revel.
The silence between us stretches, heavy with unspoken words. I stare at the massive doors, unable to look at him after his confession.
“Did you mean it?” I finally ask, still not turning.
“Every word.” His voice is closer than I expected.
I force myself to face him. “It doesn’t make sense. We’ve been enemies for millennia.”
“Have we?” He takes a step toward me. “Or have we been two sides of the same coin, pretending we’re not part of the same currency?”
Despite everything, a laugh escapes me. “That’s a terrible metaphor.”
“I know.” He smiles, and something in my chest unfurls. “I’m better at actions than words.”
Before I can respond, he closes the distance between us, one hand coming up to cup my face. For a weighted moment, we simply look at each other, centuries of history between us transforming into something new.
“May I?” he asks, his voice barely above a whisper.
Instead of answering, I rise on my tiptoes and press my lips to his. The kiss is gentle at first, tentative, but quickly deepens into something desperate and hungry. His arms wrap around my waist, pulling me closer, and I tangle my fingers in his hair.
It feels like falling and flying simultaneously. Like death and rebirth. Like the ending of one story and the beginning of another.
When we finally break apart, both breathless, I rest my forehead against his. “The Goddess of Death and the God of Life,” I murmur. “What will the realms think?”
“That balance has finally been truly achieved.” His thumb traces my lower lip. “Are you ready for this?”
I think about the centuries ahead—sharing Umbraeth with him, building something new from the ashes of our old animosity. It’s terrifying and exhilarating in equal measure.
“I don’t know,” I admit. “But I’m willing to find out.”
He smiles, bright and beautiful, and kisses me again. In this moment, standing in the Divine Council chamber where my punishment began hundreds of years ago, I think perhaps I’ve finally found something I never thought possible.
Redemption. Purpose. And maybe, just maybe,love.
Tomorrow, we’ll navigate the new reality of shared rulership. I’ll say goodbye to Sebastian as he returns to Aurelys with Jovie. There will be challenges and adjustments and likely more than a few arguments with the infuriating god now holding me in his arms.
But for now, at this moment, I allow myself to simply be. Not the Goddess of Death. Not a divine being serving out a punishment. Just Sienna, discovering that sometimes the greatest sacrifice is allowing yourself to be happy.
