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“You were nothing like her. You were…you.” His purple eyes narrow as tears fill them. His jaw quivers with his attempt at holding himself together. “I’m sorry I let her make me a monster, love. But I can never go against Violet again. Iwon’t. No matter how much I love you. Because… because—”
“Because she will make you kill me.”
The words are like a breath of relief.
His tears stream down his cheeks and he nods silently. My heart aches at his pain—at mine too. Maybe this has been going on for long enough. I don’t think I’ll ever fully forgive him… but fuck, I didn’t expect this.
I lift my hands to his face and wipe his tears. My golden Eostrix has been hurting for such a long time. I can feel the weight of his guilt and pain ease off through the bond and I wrap my arms around him tightly.
“Thank you for telling me. I can’t say I forgive you, or that we will ever be the same as we once were, but… this is a start,” I murmur into his neck. He chuckles softly and I pull away to meet his gaze.
“Thank you… for giving me a chance.”
21
Elodie
The snowstorm hasn’t lifted for days. I’ve been tempted to try flying in it alone since Arulius has been busy running Nesbrim. It’s easy to forget our places here—especially now that our relationship seems so much less strained. I’m not sure everyone else will be able to see his reasons as I do… but I’ve been here long enough with him to know that Arulius would do anything for me, even if it means being my villain.
I smile and tap my finger on the café table as I stare outside at the snow crashing against the windows. It’s already dark outside and the temperature is plummeting well below zero, I’m sure.
I hope Arulius isn’t flying around in this weather.
I’m pulled from my daze by Naminé’s soft laugh. My lips are perking up instantly with the sound and I look to see what’s so funny.
Rune’s drinking his coffee black and hardly even curls his lips against the bitter liquid. Naminé is trying to reach the last scone that was on the platter we ordered and he’s holding it over his head so she can’t reach it across the table. His crimson eyes catch mine over his cup and they soften on me.
A laugh tumbles from my lips. “Rune, give her the pastry.” He furrows his brows and shakes his head, handing it to me instead, and Naminé’s amber eyes grow big like she’s about to beg me for it. I toss it to her. “You two will be the end of me.”
“He ate most of them anyway!”
Rune shoots her a hard stare but then gives into a smirk. My insides warm with them around. It feels like I’m back on the human side of the realms, just catching a drink with my friend and boyfriend on a cold winter night. And in all honestly, maybe that’s what this is. Why can’t it be?
I take in their smiles and the warmth they give me. I won’t let these rare moments slip by—I have to take them in and relish in them as much as I can. My mind feels so much more at ease now that I’ve mended a little with Arulius. A weight has lifted and I feel like I can finally stop warring with my heart.
We finish the last of our coffee and say goodbye to Greysil. Naminé stays behind to help her girlfriend clean up the shop before closing so they can spend the rest of the evening together.
I give her a tight hug and Rune just nods in her direction as we head out into the cobblestone streets. I hook my arm through his and I lean into him as we walk back toward the High Court.
“Feels like we’re on a date.” I smile. The cold bites my nose and my breath curls in the air as I look up at him.
Rune smiles at me and the tattoo he gave me heats as he speaks through our connection.
“You don’t want to know how long it’s been since I’ve been on a date.”
I can’t say that I hate that. My smile fades at the sight of a tall Eostrix who stands in the middle of the street just ahead of us.
Rune stops and takes a step in front of me. I lean to the side to peek around him. The Eostrix’s wings are huge and… black.
Kastian.
I’ve been yearning to see him. I move past Rune and hear him curse in my mind. Kastian’s face lights up as I run to him. His arms open and I crash into them, squeezing him tightly as his arms wrap around me too.
His laugh is music to my ears and contagious. “There you are. I’ve been looking for you.” He leans his head down on mine and nuzzles me.
“You were?” My heart flutters and I look up at him. His ocean eyes are endless and dance with the very snow that falls from the sky. His white hair is messy over his forehead and his black horns glisten as snow melts on them.
He nods with a warm smile and glances up at Rune. “Your guard is more than welcome to join us if you’d like.” Kastian’s voice is soft and for a second I feel bad because I actually don’t want Rune to join us… I’ve missed my Death God.
