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“You don’t want me to be… a mother?”

She shrugged, and I almost laughed to see the too-human gesture in this place. Realm? I had no idea where we were. “If you want that. It’s your life. A long one, too. There is time for anything you can dream.”

“I choose,” I gasped. “I choose to save more Omegas. To make a world that’s safe for them, for their children. That’s the life I want.” A life filled with purpose and love. My mates, my weapons, my poisons, and my healing potions. My friends, the Omegas I’d met and loved since I was a child. My crew.

“Then it is yours. This will help.” She pressed a kiss to my head, and I felt golden power rush into me. It felt as if I’d been a cup that was almost full, and finally, the last few drops had been poured to my brim. I was complete.

I cried for a while in her arms, understanding what She’d done. I could feel Her power inside me, the way I’d felt Skadi’s and Edan’s. The three strands braided together, with all of my mates’ threads woven into them as well.

Then she leaned close and pressed a kiss to each of my eyelids. “You were always my blade. My sharp-edged dagger, with a heart that outshines the moon. I am so proud of you, daughter.”

My eyes were too heavy to hold open, and I stopped trying. “Thank you,” I managed to whisper before sleep took me. I love you.

“Use your gifts wisely, daughter,” I heard her reply.

But it was my mother’s voice that followed me into the darkness. I love you, too, my baby. I will always love you.

Then the dream was over, before I even had the chance to ask her to save Alexios.

“Rada, wake up!”

Lachlan?

“She’s not breathing. Why isn’t she breathing?”

Goran. My Gorgeous Goran, who pierced his cock for me. Who waited for me.

“She can breathe water; she should be able to breathe this thin air,” Lusca murmured. He crooned a few words in his silken voice. “Come back to me, come back from the sea that has taken you far from the shore…”

Lusca, where am I? I can’t see anything.

“She’s not cold. She’s not dead.”

Kellin, who sacrificed so much more to save me from the maw.

“Cold doesn’t mean dead, seal man. Little spy, open your eyes!”

Skadi. My icy lover. My cloak. My… ass god.

“Why can’t I hear her thoughts, Skadi? Why is her mind shut to me?” The fear and pain in Serak’s plea were the key to opening my eyes.

“What happened?” My voice was odd. Louder and smoother. I looked around without moving, as my body felt strange. Not bad, but humming with some kind of energy I didn’t know how to control. Someone had laid my cloak over me, and I was next to… “Alexios.” The stone sarcophagus was beside me.

Skadi’s face swam into view. “We woke in the small cave to find you lying still. Changed. We carried you back here when you would not respond. When we could not feel your mind.” His green-flecked eye took me in. “She visited you?”

“Yes.” My voice was too loud in the cavern. Even Skadi winced. “What’s wrong with my voice?” I sat up, and the cavern was filled with light. Too much light.

Kellin, Lachlan, and even Lusca cried out and covered their faces. Goran just grunted, like I’d stabbed him. Serak and Skadi were the only ones still looking directly at me as I stood, though they had their eyes narrowed.

“What’s happened to me?”

“Your goddess gave you a gift, it seems.” Skadi scowled. “Enough of her power to make you a deity.” He grumbled, “Didn’t need any more power, in my opinion,” while Serak approached with his hand out.

“What did She say, Ratter?”

“She said I didn’t need to have children. Not unless I wanted to. Not anytime soon.”

He tilted his head. “Did you think She would say otherwise?”