Chapter 57
MORRIGAN
“Spill,” Lyra demanded.
We all sat in the library together as I told them, start to finish, what happened from the moment Cain took me from the village. I could see the pity on their faces, though Lyra hid it better than Eowyn. Just as well, I noticed the slight glimmer in their eyes as they tried to hold back tears.
“Morrigan…” Lyra whispered, but I held up a hand to stop her.
“I’m alright.” They both looked at me like I had two heads. “No, really. I… I don’t know. With everything that happened, I don’t want to give Cain one more second of my time. I survived. I mean, if I can beatdeath, surely I can beat whatever else the gods try to throw at me.”
“And Tristan…” Eowyn whispered. “That means he’s a…”
“Yup.” I still hadn’t put a lot of thought into that fact.
We were soul bonded now. Did it change anything? How different was it really from the blood bond I had with the others?
What are the people going to think? The priests?
“Did you…” Eowyn looked around the library, checking for anyone that might be listening before leaning in close. “Did you see anything when you?—”
“Died?” I thought about the shadowy figures. The choice they offered me.Do I tell them?How would I even explain it?Yeah, there were eight people who basically offered to scrap all of you from my life so I could live anewone, but then, when I said no, they shoved a fucking ball of light inside of my chest. Oh, and Rosina was there, too!
I shrugged. “Nope. It was kind of like… waking up from a dream.”A really painful one.
The look that Eowyn gave me made me feel like she didn’t quite believe it and almost seemed disappointed, but Lyra changed the subject quickly. “So, does that meanyou’rea god now? How does that even work?”
“I don’t know. Yes? Maybe? I don’tfeelthat much different. There’s this strange energy in my veins that wasn’t there before, but, other than that, I still feel like… me. I’m sure I’ll figure it out the more I train with Tristan?—”
“Train?” Lyra deadpanned. “You’re lettinghimtrain you?”
“He’s a god, Lyra!” Eowyn reminded her.
“Who’s been in isolation his entire life!” Lyra turned to me. “With all due respect, Morrigan. I think I should at least be a part of it.”
I hadn’t eventoldher about Malakai yet, but I wouldn’t dare tell her no. If she wanted to be a part of my training, I would love nothing more than the extra time spent with her.
“Fine, but don’t complain when I kick your ass with my newgodlyfire,” I teased.
We all laughed and cuddled together on the settee, and I had no plans on leaving any time soon. This was where I needed to be for the rest of my life.
Chapter 58
TRISTAN
Afterwhatever his name wasand I secured Cain in his cell, I seemed to lose myself inside of the castle.
I passed by strangers who continuously stared at me like I was some kind of… creature. When their eyes would meet mine, they’d usually gasp or cover their mouths as they quickly passed me by. I felt so fucking out of place.
The only good part of any of this relied solely on the fact that I knew Morrigan was around here somewhere. Just touching her silenced the endless noise that stirred in my head, and would erase the faces I’ve had to see for the past couple of hours.
But as Istrode through the endless halls, I heard a slight commotion nearby. Turning, I found myself at the entrance to the courtyard, where I had seen Morrigan with two other girls she’d spoken of before, Lyra and Eowyn.
Just outside of the doors, I heard Malakai’s voice rising in frustration. “You can’t be serious. Come inside!”
I approached curiously and saw Azrael sitting on the top step with his arms crossed. He had a long piece of cloth tied around his head, covering his eyes, and the sight of it made me frown.
“Why is he blindfolded?” I asked Mal, stepping out into the blinding—and extremely uncomfortable—sunlight.
