Page 102 of Kiss the Filthiest King

If that's all you need from me.

I wish I could tell her yes, absolutely, never speak to me again. But in actual fact, I could use her help. I'm panicking at the idea of someone capable of tearing Calreth to shreds.Please, can you tell me what they want?

It's my mouth opening, but it's no longer my voice or my mind speaking.

"If the word is finally out that we're no longer guarding your little world, I expect the first to come are the sons and daughter of Death."

Everyone's staring at her—at me—with outright fear. I don't know exactly what they see, but there's no doubt they realize I'm not the one speaking.

"Death?" Calreth echoes.

He and Ryther exchange a glance.

"Did you truly think that they'd create an entire prison world and only lock up one troublesome couple? Any of the gods that have defied the will of Olympus are stuck right here. Uranus and I were the first," Gaia says with my lips. "Then came Thanatos, Eos, Helios, Selene, Ker, Aether, Moros; so many of the old ones who did not bend the knee to that little upstart in charge. And they were so certain no one would dare break the doors open and risk unleashing us. Now that we're free…I'm certain your little realm will have a fair fewvisits."

By visits, she means attacks. I only recognize a handful of the names she listed but all are synonymous with horror and destruction.

"But people have continued dying. How can Death be a prisoner if people keep dying?"

"Thanatos doesn't cause death, my sweet boy. He rules over it. In his absence, others have been given the care of it. Obedient servants of Olympus, all, happy to oblige Zeus. Your world is nothing but a purgatory for the gods he cannot destroy. And as they are freed, they'll reduce it to ashes to avenge themselves."

"Why are you warning us if it's so hopeless?" Calreth demands.

My lips curve.

"Because, little spawn of Thanatos, I would like to propose a deal."

"No," Ryther snaps.

Just like it's not me in charge, I know this isn't him speaking; his eyes are now all black, irises and pupils filled with shadows.

"It's time," I state.

"You haveno right."

"What do you want?" Loch asks.

"She wants to die," Ryther seethes, making my heart skip a beat.

What the fuck? What would that mean forme? I'm only alive because she brought me back.

"Don't scare so easily, child. I'm only a shadow under your flesh. One you'll be glad to be rid of, yes?"

I would have said yes when she was annoying me a few minutes ago. And well, every day since waking up with her inside me, trying to kill Ryther in my sleep.

Come to think of it, I'll be glad for her to be gone.

But death? Why would she offer that?

She doesn't say a word, but that feeling I just experienced hours earlier when my bond snapped into place echoes inside me, followed by an endless pool of sorrow and regret, and I finally understand.

She's done with her battle, her animosity towards Uranus. She's listened to the reason behind their quarrel, and stayed silent for weeks, taking it all in. And now, she's simply done. Nothing will change the way they hurt each other for millennia, but knowing they were both tricked makes it hollow, pointless.

Do better, Darina. I leave you the power that birthed your mortal and immortal worlds. Use it for good.

I'm in charge of my body again, and I know what to do. Tears streaking my eyes, I make my way to the window, and call the little book I threw away last night, watching it float from the meadow where it lay discarded to my hands.

"Gaia," Uranus demands with Ryther's face. "This isn't over. I refuse to?—"

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