Page 135 of Immortal Sun

All of them are dressed in red velvet tunics with black sandals. They have no cape; they haven’t been alive long enough to deserve one.

You have to earn your cape in battle; you have to earn your place among the ancients.

Not just take it because you covet it.

They wear half gold masks that cover only their eyes and part of their noses. Their faces remain calm as they watch the waves and wait.

This is the last time for a while that we will work together. They’ll fight again after my final sacrifice and ascension. They’ll hope that eventually this will end. It won’t. A god must ascend. Every few thousand years. And we must protect what is ours. Our families. Our children. Humanity.

Even if we are sick of it.

Am I? Am I finally done with this?

I can’t tell anymore.

Chest aching, twisting, burning, I walk toward the cave.

Cleo is sitting on the bed watching me walk, her eyes lock onto mine in a way that causes my mouth to go dry.

I stop at the entrance, needing a moment before stepping in and going to the bed. “Did Enki explain to you what will happen next?”

She bites her bottom lip. “Y-yes, but, can I make a request? Maybe?”

“Have you written all of the names of the children of Chaos?”

She nods. Her skin is pale. I want to touch it, but my hands are about to be covered in her blood in less than twenty-four hours.

It feels wrong.

“Your request then?” I cross my arms over my chest to keep from touching her.

She’s in her black silk robe.

I know she’s naked underneath.

Her gaze darts back and forth between my mouth and eyes before she looks down at her lap, wringing her small hands together. “Can it just be you?”

I steel my expression. “For the ceremony?”

She nods. “I just don’t want all of them touching me, but you’ve already?—”

“—touched you,” I finish for her.

Does she realize what she’s asking?

For me to ready her for someone else? By myself?

Just how strong does she think I am?

“Yes,” I blurt before I can stop myself.

I hold up my right hand in a fist.

The other two, I know will take that as a sign to give me their backs.

Cleo is shaking. I hold out my hand and help her to her feet, she’s so warm where I’m cold, and yet I feel her warmth spreading through my palm.

“Wait here,” I whisper then walk over to where Enki left the paint and her golden dress. It’s simple and clasps at the shoulders, with a sheer white veil that falls like a cape down her back.

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