Page 327 of The Gods Order

“Yes.”

He nods, giving Sevryn a small, relieved, yet sad smile.

“Guide and support our nephew without smothering him. He’ll come around in time.”

I repeat his words to Gladian, and Sevryn rolls his eyes at me, but his small smirk gives him away.

“I’ll do whatever he allows me to,” Gladian says, voice stronger than it was a moment ago.

Vihaan reaches out, and to my shock, a shiver races through Gladian.

“I never blamed you, little brother. I never blamed Barir or Creed. There was nothing any of you could’ve done. I blamed the only one responsible. Promise me from this point on, you’ll do the same.”

I once again relay his message and silence stretches through the Crypt as Gladian draws in one painful breath after the other.

“I promise.”

“Good.” Vihaan faces me. “I’m ready to go now.”

My lips tighten as I dip my head.

“He’s ready to go.”

Sevryn doesn’t say anything, but reluctantly, he rests his hand on Gladian’s shoulder.

“I love you, Vihaan,” Gladian mumbles.

“And I you, little brother.”

Vihaan reaches his hand out to me, and a massive smile stretches across his face. I can’t help but match it.

“Goodbye, God of Death,” I say.

“You’re going to do great things, Creed.”

I summon my power forward and release a deep breath.

The black strands that wove their way through his soul so fiercely before are barely noticeable now. All that’s left are weak gray threads from my father’s Veil. Something we have all intentions on destroying.

This moment, this goodbye for Gladian, and…for myself, was the only reason it isn’t gone already.

My power wraps around his soul, and he glows as he begins to rise.

“Be free,” I say out loud, then turn my whisper mental.

“Valories, welcome him home.”

His eyes drift shut, and a breath later…he’s gone.

Peaceful stillness settles over the Crypt and a weight lifts off my chest. The guilt, regret, and anger that I’d been carrying for so long over his death, then the realization that he was still trapped here, leave with his soul.

The three of us walk back toward the exit in silence, but it isn’t heavy.

It’s relieving and accepting.

“So we freed one brother and we’re about to lock another one up. What a day.”

Gladian and I glare at Sevryn.