Page 29 of Psycho Gods

I exhaled and pretended the gods weren’t useless beings who’d abandoned us.

Snow drifted through the frigid air, then sizzled as it hit the hot ground and evaporated, and water hissed as it rose from the planet’s surface in a thick layer of fog.

Planet 003FX had an immensely hot core that heated the ground to around eighty degrees Fahrenheit and a freezing atmosphere.

At least, that was what the High Court’s informational packet said.

I said it sucked.

Freezing temperatures, perpetual falling snow, a foggy surface, and gray sky.

A boring place to die.

If I squinted, I could just barely see a tiny shimmer to the air. The High Court speculated that rare bioluminescence in the soil evaporated into the atmosphere and created the effect.

Since it was barely noticeable, I don’t know why they bothered to discuss it.

The kings followed as I walked through the war camp hidden beneath glistening heavens.

Snow-dusted trees camouflaged the camp.

I had yet to see any evidence of animals.

“Aran, you’re back.” John burst out of our legion’s designated bunker and threw his arms around me. “Thank the sun god, Luka’s in a silent mood, and he refused to laugh at any of my jokes.”

I didn’t point out that Luka was always in a silent mood; it was part of his charm. Instead, I inhaled the rich scent of sandalwood and slumped forward.

John held me up.

Snowflakes danced around us as our breath mingled in frosty puffs.

Our chests pressed together, hearts thumping in rhythm, I burrowed into his arms like I could crawl under his skin.

Disappear into his warmth.

“How was mandatory therapy? Are you okay?” John whispered in my ear.

I pressed my face deeper against his warm shoulder and groaned, “Horrible. And no.”

Arms tightened around my shoulders as he squeezed me three times in quick succession.

My heart stuttered.

I squeezed back four times as hard as I could.

His breath caught.

We both knew what it meant.

“Anything I can do to help?” John’s fingers gently tipped my chin up, and he brushed snow off my face.

“Beat me to death with a shovel,” I offered.

He chuckled, and the sound was deep and rich as he swooped down and booped my nose, holding me close as I struggled to get away.

“Is she hurt?” Luka asked behind him. “Did something happen to her face?” Unlike John’s relaxed posture, Luka was rigid.

Tense.

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