Page 92 of The Forgotten Life of Ella Moon
His pain and anger were raw.Hisbrown eyes no longer soft and caring.Thatwas the fault of a selfish god.Fora year, a girl namedEllaturned to those eyes whenever she was lost or sad.Itdidn’t matter thatEllanever existed; she existed to him.Shewould change that.Shewould make him forget that girl and find the one he was always destined to be with. “Idid love you.”
“Just not enough to stay.”
“No.”Aurorashook her head.
“Was it the money?”
“No.Ilove him.Itwas always him.HeandIare alike.Icome from a family of liars and thieves.Soit’s bestIstay with that kind.”Thatwas true.Hermother was always taking mortals’ dreams. “Thenight of theMoonFestival,Iremembered whoIwas.AndIam not someone who deserves your love.”
“You do,Ella?—”
“William, please, that is not whoIam.Iknow you don’t understand, butIwas never meant to be yours.Theone you should love is still here.Waitingfor you.”
William scoffed, shaking his head. “Nowyou sound likeSissy.”
It was time.Timeto tie off this last string of her mortal life. “Ihave something for you.”Shetook a golden apple from her pocket and shook off the mortal mask she wore.Sheleaned in close toWilliam, pressing a kiss on his cheek.Hervoice was laced with all the things the mortal boy wanted. “Iwant you to take a bite of this apple and wish to forget that you loved a girl namedElla.”
William looked at the apple, then at her. “WhywouldIdo that?IloveElla.”
“Oh, pet.Sheis not yours to have,”Auroracooed. “Yourtrue love is on her way.Ifyou take a bite of this apple,Ipromise to grant all your wishes.”Notall of them, just one.ButWilliamwould not remember when he woke. “Nowtake the apple and wish to forget the girl namedElla.”Auroraran her fingertip overWilliam’sbrow, leaving a trail of stardust.
William took the apple. “Iwish to forget a girl namedElla.”Hetook a bite, then dropped the apple, clutching his head. “What’shappening to me?”Hereached forAurora.
“Nothing, my sweet.”AuroralaidWilliamdown in her lap. “Iwish you all the happiness this mortal world can give you.Mayno god or mortal break this wish until you have lived all your days andI’vecome to collect your soul.Thenyou will remember a girl namedEllawho is now a god.”AurorastrokedWilliam’ssoft hair, letting her wish take effect.
“They’re so pretty when they sleep, aren’t they?”Painlooked down at the sleeping mortal.
“If you go back on your bargain,Ishall go to your mother and wish for you to loveLust.”AurorabrushedWilliam’slips with stardust to make sure the first time he kissed his true love, he’d know.
“That wretched god,”Painsneered. “Whyare you gods of the heavens so dramatic?Theywill both live a long life.Areyou prepared for that?”Painsat down next toAurora.
It had only been a few days withoutThane, and yet it felt like three lifetimes.Aurorafrowned.Thatwas a bit dramatic, but she was a god, and that was in her nature. “Imade my choice.Andit won’t be that long, right?”
“We are talking about my father.HehatesThaneas much asIdo.Thismortal could outlive all other mortals.”
“That would not be fair to him.”Auroralooked down atWilliam, wondering if the loss ofEllawould leave a hole in his life.
“I’m not sure whatThanehas that makes you keep doing stupid things for him.”Painplucked a falling leaf from the air.PainremindedAuroraa bit ofClarain her mortal form.ButPain’seyes were the color of autumn leaves.
“You don’t?”Auroragently laidWilliamdown in the cool grass.Sissywould soon be making her way down the trail.Aurorastood, pullingPainto her feet.
Pain brushed the dirt from her clothing. “Allgods have one of those.”
“Yes, but some know how to use it better than others.”
Pain rolled her eyes. “Arethe heavens that lonely?Imean, yes,Thaneis handsome, butIdo find he can be a bit selfish when it comes to?—”
“Oh, hush up.”AurorapulledPaininto the shadows.Theywatched asSissywandered down the trail, not sure what drew her to this place at this very moment.
“William!”Sissyrushed to the boy who was meant for her.Williamsat up, rubbing his head, not sure what had happened.Hehad dreamt about a beautiful woman with eyes the color of the sea.Sissysmiled at him and said he was lucky a god had blessed him.
Pain scoffed. “Youmade him dream about you?”
“What was the other option, you?Ididn’t want to give the poor man a nightmare.”Auroralinked arms withPainas they walked up the trail towards the village.SheandPainhad become allies at least.Friendshipwas a hard thing for gods, being selfish and all.
“Again, humor is not your realm.”PainshovedAuroraa bit.
“Whyareyou here?”
