Page 85 of Gods of Prey
“Her name is Jovie,” I say sharply, moving to stand on her other side. “And she’s right.”
Seraphina studies us—the strange quartet we’ve become. “What alternative do you propose? The divine laws cannot be broken without consequence.”
Sebastian looks at Jovie, and I see centuries of love in his eyes. “She’s returning to Aurelys with me. I won’t leave her.”
“Absolutely not,” Seraphina responds immediately. “Mortals cannot become immortal. It upsets the?—”
“Balance, yes, we know,” Revel interrupts, moving to stand beside me. His proximity gives me strength. “But what if we propose a new balance?”
Seraphina narrows her eyes at his interruption. “Explain.”
Revel takes a deep breath. “If the Divine Council agrees to a meeting, we’ll explain further. But you can start by telling them I’m willing to leave Aurelys and offer my assistance in Umbraeth.”
My heart would stop if it were still beating. I stare at him, unable to conceal my shock. He’s officially offering his helpin Umbraeth. What would that make us? The enemies turned reluctant allies turned...what exactly?
Seraphina considers this. “You would give up your position in Aurelys?”
“It was always temporary,” Revel says. “I was only filling in for Sebastian.”
“And what of your duties there?”
“I’ve trained others,” he says. “Sebastian will have support when he returns.”
She looks at me and Bash. “You still owe us seventeen mortal lives.”
I find my voice. “We’ve got more changes to propose. But not until we’ve got the full Divine Council before us.”
My eyes roll across her body in open assessment before they return to her face. I flatten my expression, making my feelings toward her crystal clear.
“The Divine Council will not approve this easily,” Seraphina warns. She ignores my obvious dismissal, but I can tell it bothers her based on the stiffening of her shoulders and the frown pulling at her mouth and a small part of me hums in delight. “To grant immortality to a mortal, to restructure the divine realms. These are not small requests.”
“Then let us prove it can work,” I say, growing more confident in the plan. “Test us. Test Jovie’s worthiness for immortality. Test our ability to maintain balance under this new arrangement.”
Seraphina’s form flickers as she communicates silently with the other Divine Council members. The air around us vibrates with divine deliberation.
“Very well,” she says finally. “The Divine Council agrees to consider your proposal in person. But be advised, you will be tested—allof you.”
Relief washes through me, but it’s short-lived.
“However,” Seraphina continues, “until these tests are complete, you will return to your respective realms. Immediately.”
Sebastian’s face falls. “No, I won’t leave Jovie alone here.”
“She won’t be alone,” Seraphina says, a venomous smile now curving her lips. “She will come to the divine realm immediately for her testing. But you and Sienna must resume your duties while the Divine Council deliberates on what your tests will be. That is nonnegotiable.”
I look at Sebastian, seeing the war within him. He’s only just remembered who he is, only just reconciled his mortal life with his divine purpose. And now he must choose again.
“How long?” he asks, his voice tight.
“The tests will take as long as they take,” Seraphina replies, unhelpful as ever.
I drift toward my brother. “We don’t have a choice, Bash. You know that. At least this way, there’s hope.”
He looks down at Jovie, touching her face gently. “I can’t lose you again.”
“You won’t,” she promises, fierce and determined. “I’ll pass whatever tests they give me.”
I watch them, these lovers who have defied time and divine law to be together, and feel a strange ache in my chest. Then I feel Revel’s eyes on me, and when I meet his gaze, I see the same longing I feel reflected back at me.
