Page 148 of On Brutal Thrones

Valtor takes a step toward him. “You would reject immortality? After everything you’ve just shown yourself capable of?”

Thorian inclines his head. “Today showed me I possess more power than I understood. I’m grateful for that knowledge.”

Careful. Polite. Giving Valtor nothing to strike at.

“But I don’t desire more.”

Valtor studies him. “Then what do you desire?”

Thorian looks at Soryn. “If I’m permitted to request an alternative.”

Eryndor stands among the gods with his leather-bound book tucked against one arm. “A victor may petition for one.”

Thorian nods once, then he reaches for my hand. “I want our lives to belong to us.”

Silence settles across the summit.

“I ask that no god interfere in my life again. Or Nyx’s. Talon’s. Fenric’s. Lyra’s. Or the lives of the people we love.”

My chest tightens.

Thorian continues. “No curses. No punishments delivered through our families. No using the people we care about to influence our decisions.”

He pauses.

“We’ve given the gods enough of our lives. I would like the rest of them to be ours.”

Soryn’s expression softens immediately, but Valtor’s does not.

I hold my breath.

Soryn laughs quietly. “After the show you four just gave us, I think we can manage that.”

A few of the gods smile.

She turns toward them.

“Surely none of you object.”

Aqualis nods first. “Agreed.”

Another god follows. Then another. Until every gaze turns to Valtor.

He stares at Thorian. “You would choose this over godhood?”

Thorian meets his eyes. “I would.”

Valtor’s jaw tightens. But something else moves through his expression too. Not anger. Not entirely. Maybe respect.

“Very well.”

Thorian’s fingers close more firmly around mine.

“You have my word,” Valtor says. “I will not interfere in your lives, or the lives of those you have named.”

Soryn lifts her chin.

“And you have mine.”