Page 175 of Vengeance of the Gods

What she meant by that, Vega didn’t care.

“I got lucky. I was the youngest there, and people felt bad. It wasn’t all that awful… for me, at least.” Ro smiled at Vega, like she was trying to impress her.

Helena changed the subject without warning. “Leo mentioned you’re looking for a fire-wielder who isn’t afraid of Bridger’s backlash.” Vega wasn’t a jealous person, per se, but the way she purred his name made her consider letting Death have some fun with her.

“Don’t let her get to you.” It was the first time they’d spoken since he’d left the bathroom this morning.

Vega could feel his presence in the room but couldn’t see him from where she stood. “I guess you could say that,” Vega told her. “I suppose that’s you, huh?”

Helena pulled her hair into a tight high pony. “If you’re up for a challenge, yes.”

Bridger’s breathy laugh rose the hair on her arms as he approached from behind. “I wouldn’t be so cocky.”

Vega might have been gone for fifty-five years, but she wasn’t without her memories anymore. It was like riding a bike, coming back to her powers and skills. Her body wasn’t a weak little thing anymore—no, this version of her was deadlier than any of the others combined.

Even though Death had been scolded, it still flicked its tail of shadows in wait.

Vega had learned one thing since they’d returned to Tolevarre. Death would protect her like nothing else ever had, not even herself.

“God or not, you can still be outsmarted in combat.” Helena crossed her arms and popped her hip.

Ro spoke through the side of her mouth. “Helena.” She drew out her name, eyes nervously bouncing between her and Vega.

“You’re not wrong.” Vega wasn’t scared of Helena—no, she was too afraid of herself these days to worry about anyone else.

Bridger gently grabbed Vega by the forearm before she could head for the ring. “She’ll be there in five minutes.”

Vega looked down at his hand first and then up at his face. He looked exhausted despite sleeping for over an entire day. He pulled her to the side, still within eavesdropping distance of the group.

A sound shield wrapped around them, to no one’s surprise. “Is everything okay?” Vega asked, eyebrows knitting together.

“Yeah.” He pulled her against him. The sound shield didn’t hide them from view, allowing the entire room to see this moment.

Though most were trying to make it look like they weren’t watching…

Seeing Bridger and Vega back together was probably something no one had ever expected to see. Fuck, it was something Vega had never expected to see.

She breathed in his familiar scent, letting it calm her racing heart as he slipped his arms around her. “I’ve got to head to the mines for a bit, look around and see if I can find a list of names for who was there. The paperwork Khort brought back only accounts for half the bodies we brought in.” Bridger ran his hands up and down her arms, like he was soothing her—or maybe it was himself he was trying to comfort? “I just wanted to say goodbye before I left.”

Vega tilted her head back, his hand moving up the length of her body to settle on the back of her neck. “I can come with you.” Vega hummed at his soft touch.

“No.” Bridger’s hand slid from the back of her neck to cup her cheek, his thumb tracing the outline of her chin. “Go kick Helena’s ass and show everyone what happens when they underestimate you.”

“You’ll be back tonight?” she asked, a sense of worry creeping into her chest.

“Before you know it,” he replied, leaning in and kissing her like it was the last one they’d ever have. Bridger didn’t hold back. He didn’t care about the eyes on them. His kiss made Vega weak in the knees.

When he pulled back, Vega was almost gasping for air. Had she forgotten to breathe?

Even Death purred, the sound too clicky to be feline.

“I love you.” He placed a small kiss on the tip of her nose and let her go, stepping away as he let the sound shield down around them.

Something’s not right. Her gut twisted, and Death stilled.

Vega usually regretted it when she didn’t follow her intuition, but she reminded herself Bridger had just lost his best friend. The fact he was out of bed and trying to go about his normal life this soon after was a feat Vega wasn’t sure she’d be able to do if she’d lost Arlet.

“I’ll be back as soon as I can, okay?”