Page 168 of Vengeance of the Gods

A tug Vega would know anywhere announced Arlet’s arrival. When she appeared, it seemed she came bearing gifts.

Arlet wiggled a bottle of wine in front of Vega. “Do the thing.”

Vega smiled, her eyes heavy from nearly falling asleep.

She didn’t have to focus hard on popping the cork from the bottle these days. It was as easy as breathing. When she finished, she handed the bottle back to Arlet, who took a swig.

They’d never needed glasses.

Vega took a long pull and wiped her lips with the back of her hand.

“You okay?” Arlet asked, sitting down next to Vega on the ground.

“I don’t know,” Vega answered back honestly.

The copse of trees shook, swaying as Avi settled her head as close as she could to Arlet’s leg without crushing her. “She’s been a little clingy lately since she’s living in the caves alone now.”

Avi chuffed a puff of steam at them on a long, tired-sounding breath.

The girls sat in silence for a while, passing the bottle back and forth as the sun moved across the sky slowly.

“Can I ask you something?” Vega looked over at Arlet, her arms wrapped around her legs, giving herself a chin rest.

Arlet’s arms let go, and she turned to face Vega better. “Anything.”

Vega didn’t know how else to ask this question without it sounding harsh. “Did you actually love Marlena or was it because you were lonely?” It sounded worse coming out, but luckily Arlet hadn’t taken offense.

“I loved her,” Arlet whispered, her focus on her hands, picking at the hem of her shirt. “But I was also very lonely. You had Bridger. Khort was avoiding you. And Marlena was looking for someone to make her feel something.” She glanced at Vega, and a sadness she’d only seen twice in Arlet’s entire life crossed her face.

When her mom left her behind… and the Saturnalia before Marlena’s induction.

Oh my gods. Vega had seen it—had been right there during the break-up. Vega hated herself for being so fucking selfish then, for not paying closer attention to the people she claimed to love more than anything.

Arlet’s confession felt like a supersonic boom, blowing Vega to tiny pieces. “I’m sorry, Arlet.”

“I have never resented you for not being around. Not once. You were in love. I was happy for you. I’m happy for you…” Arlet reached out and grabbed Vega’s hand when she said the last part. “We’ve both got to stop apologizing for her. She had a shitty life, yeah, me too. I was born without powers and was completely useless, so much so my family ran and left me behind to be someone else’s problem. I made the right decision when I broke up with her.” She let go of Vega’s hand. “It would have been worse trying to get away after she’d summoned the gods, anyway. We both know I wouldn’t have actually been able to stop her—even if I had known.”

Vega took the last sip of wine and put the empty bottle to the side.

Silence swept over them as they sat side by side, backs against the palm tree. They stayed there for nearly an hour, never saying a word, just enjoying the breeze grazing through the oasis of trees.

“Is Bridger still sleeping?” Arlet asked, breaking the silence.

Vega didn’t even have to reach down the bond to know. “Yes.” It was nearing the twenty-four-hour mark.

“He okay?” Arlet asked quietly.

“No, he lost his best friend,” she replied, unable to keep her emotions in check. Her heart was absolutely ripped out from what she’d been the cause of.

Meyer’s death was Vega’s fault—she’d gambled and lost.

She wouldn’t be surprised if Bridger woke up, realized it, and immediately turned on her again…

Vega might if she’d lost Arlet.

“It’s my biggest fear,” Arlet whispered, closing her eyes as she rested the back of her head against the tree. “I spent fifty-five years of my life working to get you back… and now that I have you, I still might lose you.”

“I hope you don’t have to.” And she did… but she couldn’t make any promises.