Page 78 of Sequel to the Easter Bunny

“Noel.” Cupid says, disappointment colouring their words. “He is too young a lad, not truly ready for the responsibility, but his god-father tore his mother back to their realm the moment he could.

“Klaus was not the god I would have chosen to provide the next ruler of the Valley… not that Ari’s mother was better.”

The way they say it… “You don’t think any god should have that role.”

“We interfere too much as it is.” They turn their gaze to the spire. “Make sure your child is ready to take on the responsibility of Rule before you go back to your lover for the rest of eternity.”

If I survive that long.

“How are you out here, by the way? I thought the old gods couldn’t venture into our realm unless they look human.”

“A few of us can… under the right circumstances.”

“But not Jack.”

“No. Not your Jack.” They beat their wings a little harder. “Those of us who can fool the unwitting into thinking we’re human—at least at a distance—are able to play in this realm.”

The smile they give me borders on grotesque, and when I look away, it’s only for a second.

I bury my face in their chest a moment before we collide with the side of the tower.

But we don’t hit a wall. We don’t crash and tumble to the ground a mile below….

Cupid sets me down as soon as I open my eyes to Ester’s domain.

The god of spring looks at me first and then, seems to realise it’s not Jack behind me.

Her face filters through joy and confusion, to relief and the briefest moment of anger before returning to start all over again.

“You came back.”

Cupid doesn’t let her come to them. “Summon Juun.”

Ester shrinks away, and it makes me step back.

But Juun appears a moment later, as if wrapped in a tornado. White sand flies around her, scattering around the dark green of Ester’s grass.

She doesn’t have a chance to speak before Cupid asks. “What is so wrong with you that you delight only in suffering?

They’re met with a long and heavy silence.

“And you. You play at caring what happens to the mortals, but you still allowed this?”

“There’s nothing I can do. A bargain was struck.”

“As if you gave her any other choice.” They turn on Juun and all of their eyes narrow to slits. “She has performed her fifth task. Release her from this ridiculous bargain, now.

“No.”

Cold washes over me at the severity of her tone. At the surety.

She never planned to let me win this game.

She never planned to fulfil her end of our sordid bargain.

“If you do not fulfil your bargain, what good is the word of a god?

“Mortals are not the ones who will lose if you cheat at this game you like to play. If you trust no one else in this, you should trust me.”

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