Page 108 of The Ascended
“Wait,” Elysia said, rising gracefully. She skipped towards Nyvora, reaching out to touch her fingertips to Nyvora’s cheek. A soft golden glow emanated from the contact, spreading across Nyvora’s skin.
I watched as the subtle signs of exhaustion—the barely visible shadows under her eyes, the tiniest droop to her shoulders—simply vanished. Nyvora’s entire being seemed to brighten, her skin becoming somehow more luminous, more perfect than it had been seconds before.
“There,” Elysia said, stepping back to admire her work. “That should last through tomorrow’s tedious rituals. We can’t have Davina finding fault with your appearance on top of everything else.”
Nyvora touched her cheek briefly. “How generous,” she said, her tone perfectly neutral. “Though I’m sure Mother will find something else to criticize.”
“Well, give her my regards,” Elysia said, settling back into her seat.
“Always,” Nyvora replied with a brittle smile as she swept away toward the exit.
And suddenly, I was alone with Elysia.
She turned to me with a dangerous smile, her eyes reflecting the dancing flames around us. “So, Thatcher Morvaren.” The way she said my name made it clear she’d been studying me. “How are you finding life among the divine?”
“Educational,” I replied, choosing my words with care.
“I imagine it must be overwhelming.” She shifted closer. “All these new wonders to experience.” Her fingers traced the rim of her glass, just inches from my hand. “New... pleasures to discover.”
Her meaning was unmistakable as her gaze swept over me with frank appreciation. I maintained my easy smile, though inwardly I tensed. I was used to attention from women in port taverns, but this was different—calculated, entitled. And she was with Chavore, who despite everything, seemed genuinely attached to her.
“See anything that interests you?” she asked, gesturing toward the revel with one perfectly manicured hand while her eyes remained fixed on mine. “The divine domains offer endless delights. And once you ascend—” she said it with absolute certainty,“—you’ll have eternity to sample them all. It never hurts to start looking now.”
“And if a mortal were to... sample... before ascending? What are the consequences for that?”
A strange smile crept up her lips. “Severe,” she said. “Mortals who forget their place learn quickly where the boundaries lie.”
“Such as?” I prompted, allowing myself to appear naively curious.
“When I was still a child,” Elysia said, lowering her voice to a conspiratorial whisper, her lips nearly brushing my ear, “there was an incident—a Legend took interest in a mortal woman. Before anyone knew if she was with child, the Aesymar intervened. Both were killed.” She shook her head, sending cascades of golden light across her perfect features. “They simply couldn’t risk more half-bloods entering the world. The blessed already strain our resources with their endless needs. No offense, of course.” She sipped her drink, the liquid casting a glow across her throat. “Besides, I’ve heard the power in divine blood tears mortal women apart from the inside. Almost none survive the birthing.” Her perfect shoulders lifted in an elegant shrug. “It’s simply cruel all around. Some boundaries exist for a reason.”
I buried the rage that threatened to flare.
I forced my thoughts back to the present, leaning closer to Elysia. This was an opportunity to gather information, nothing more. I pulled out the smile that had charmed secrets from harbormistresses and merchants’ daughters. “So, what’s it like sharing the arm of a prince? You must be the envy of every lady in Voldaris.”
Her eyes lit with pleasure at the question.
“The King himself selected me for his son,” she said, practically glowing with pride. “Can you imagine? Neither of my parents are among the Twelve. Yet Olinthar personally approved our match.” She leaned closer as if sharing the greatest of secrets. “He told Chavore that I embody the perfect balance of beauty and ambition.”
I nodded, encouraging her to continue while my mind worked through the implications. The worship of Olinthar ran deeper than I’d realized. Even those who suffered at his hands seemed to crave his approval.
Her smile turned triumphant. “Most said I could never aspire to the royal family, yet here I am.”
As Elysia continued her whispered confidences about Olinthar’s grand plans for her future, I found myself studying her—beyond her obvious beauty to the subtle tells that revealed her insecurities, her ambitions. Everyone had weaknesses, even gods. Finding them was just a matter of patience and observation.
Chapter 27
The Eternal City
“You’re late,”Xül said without turning. He stood silhouetted against the crimson sky, power coiling around him like a restless serpent.
“By three minutes.” I shrugged, stepping down onto the sand.
Instead of answering, he extended his hand. The air before him shimmered, then tore, creating a jagged wound in reality.
“This is different,” I said, eyeing the unstable edges of the portal.
“Different destination, different tear.” He gestured impatiently.
