Page 264 of The Ascended
His hand gripped my upper arm, just tight enough to emphasize his point. "There's a reason it's remained a secret for this long. We're careful." His eyes locked with mine, intense and unwavering. "Besides, even if you're on the right track about whose loyalties lie with us, no one knows that you're aware the resistance even exists. We're going to keep it that way, for now."
I nodded, understanding the weight of his warning. This was the most dangerous secret in the divine realm—one that could get us both destroyed if the wrong ears heard even a whisper of it.
"I just want to be prepared," I said quietly. "For what comes after."
"After," he repeated. "It won’t be easy. But we’ll get through it."
"When have I ever wanted easy?" I challenged.
His eyes gleamed with approval. "You make a valid point. You did, after all, make the conscious decision to try and take down the King of Gods. Reckless, and moronic. But your decision-making is something we can certainly work on."
"Don't forget falling in love with the most insufferable immortal in all the domains," I added dryly.
"Insufferable?" He raised an eyebrow, his lip quirking. "I believe the word you're looking for is irresistible."
"Arrogant," I corrected.
"Confident," he countered, his hand sliding around my waist.
"Domineering."
"Strategic."
I laughed despite myself. "This is why no one can stand you, you know."
"And yet here you are," he murmured, his expression smug. "Standing me quite well, from what I recall of last night."
The certainty in his voice should have been comforting, but a cold knot of fear formed in my stomach. "That's if I survive the Forging."
His arms tightened around me. "You will."
"You don't know that," I said. "Contestants have died. What if we've made all these plans and I don't even make it through the day?"
"You will not die today," he said, and his conviction was eerie. His hand moved to my back, tracing the same pattern from this morning, right where he'd chanted those strange words.
"How can you be so sure?" I asked, searching his face.
For a brief moment, curiosity flickered across his eyes before he masked it. "Because I know you, Thais Morvaren. And you're toostubborn to die now, when you've finally gotten everything you wanted."
He kissed me then, fierce and possessive, as if trying to brand himself onto me before we were separated. When he finally pulled away, we were both breathless.
"I should go," I said reluctantly.
"I'll see you before the ceremony," he promised, stealing one last quick kiss before stepping back. "I'll be the one looking like I'm about to commit several acts of treason for a woman."
I laughed despite the tension. "Very specific look."
Then he ushered me toward the door. His hand lingered on mine for one last moment before letting go.
I stepped into my chambers and I was engulfed in a whirlwind of activity. Lyralei and her team had taken over the space completely, transforming it from Draknavor's usual austere darkness into a riot of color and light. Fabrics in every shade imaginable draped across furniture, and countless jars and bottles lined hastily assembled tables.
I could only wear one gown, but they'd brought over twenty, each more breathtaking than the last.
"There she is!" Novalie exclaimed, rushing forward with a brush already in hand. "We were beginning to think you'd forgotten your own forging day."
"As if anyone could forget becoming a god," Vesper drawled, critically examining a bolt of fabric. "Though I suppose stranger things have happened. Once, a contestant nearly missed his own ceremony—passed out drunk in Chronos. He didn't survive the Forging."
Lyralei shot him a warning look. "That's hardly appropriate conversation for today."
