“Yeah, and you got great tits—hey!” he cried when she smacked him on the side of the head.
She smirked at him. “You sure you wanna stay married to me?”
His expression softened. “I’m sure. Should I get down on one knee to prove it?”
“You don’t have knees,” she pointed out. “And it’s a bit too late for that.”
“Fine, if that’s what you think.”
“Wait, what about a ring? Do I get a ring?”
“Do I have to get you one?”
She pouted. “Well, when you put it like that?—”
“I’ll get you a ring.”
“You don’t have to get me a ring.”
“I want to get you a ring.”
“Fine,” she said. “Get me a ring.”
He caught her gaze, their eyes locking as a smile of amusement spread across his face. His real smile, one that hid nothing from her.
She, too, did not have to hide anymore. No more quiet and constant warnings, no more truths to swallow. There was nothing wrong with her. And while she always knew that, it was here in this realm, as she negotiated the terms for a ring she didn’t need from a husband she didn’t want in the first place, she finally found a place where she could be herself.
Epilogue
Maldenis
“Everything looks great, hon.”
Ariadne didn’t look up from Liora’s wrist as she said it, her thumb pressed lightly to the pulse point while her other hand hovered over the open kit floating beside her—a compact case that had appeared from nowhere and proceeded to unfold itself, revealing vials, instruments, mirrors, bottles, and small bundled herbs that smelled faintly of smoke and saltwater.
“All fine,” she added.
“Define fine,” Maldenis said.
“Vitals are strong, coloration’s good, poison levels are down another twelve percent from yesterday.” She released Liora’s wrist and beamed at her. “You’re doing amazingly. Your body is fighting this really well.”
“Told you,” Liora said, directing this at Maldenis.
“I wasn’t worried.”
“You were.”
“I was observing.”
He was absolutely worried. The poison was still inside her. Ariadne had already explained that her magical treatment contained it. But he was still scared.
“Thanks, Ariadne.
“Call me Ria, please.” She clicked her kit shut with a snap of her fingers and turned around.
For the first time Maldenis got a proper look at her. Early twenties at most, which seemed young for a protégé of Hecate. Her disposition too, didn’t mark her as the type to get along with an entity that was older than time itself. Though she was all business when she was doing her job, Ria had a sunny, sweet disposition of a barista the whole time she checked up on Liora. But then again, Hecate didn’t have to explain her reasons for who she chose to take under her wing.
“Only my mother calls me by my full name,” Ria continued, putting her hands on her hips, squaring her shoulders in the universal impression of a parent at the end of their patience. “Ariadne Mina Park, what did you do this time?”
