Page 94 of Gods of Prey
“Shut up,” I mutter, but I’m smiling.
As we approach the chamber, I spot Revel and Sebastian waiting for us at the entrance. Revel’s eyes find mineimmediately, concern etched across his features. When he sees I’m okay, something in his expression softens, and my chest tightens in response.
Maybe Jovie’s right. Maybe it’s time to stop denying what I feel. Time is precious, even for immortals.
But first, we have to survive the Divine Council.
27
Sienna
The Divine Council chamber is cold. It always has been, though I’ve never quite noticed it like I do now. A chill seeps deep into my bones, into whatever remains of my soul after all my mortal lifetimes of punishment. Their thrones stretch before me, each seat occupied by a councilor, their faces impassive as marble statues. Their eyes, however, burn with judgment.
Just like yesterday, we have an audience surrounding us. It seems to have doubled overnight as the news of our fates has spread across all the realms. No one wants to miss this rare event.
I stand beside Sebastian, Jovie, and Revel in the center of the chamber, my chin lifted despite the weight pressing down on me.
“The Divine Council has come together to determine your fates. This is not a task we’ve taken lightly, as the balance of the cosmos is at stake,” Caelum, God of Order, announces.
“During our deliberation, we’ve concluded that the mortal woman is to deliver the child here in Nytheris, then return to her mortal realm alone, where she’ll live out the rest of her days until her soul contract expires,” Seraphina announces in a cold, detached tone.
Jovie stills, her mind struggling to process their words as Sebastian steps forward to speak. His anger radiates off him in waves that I can feel across the chamber. His divine power casts a glow that can be seen from the farthest spot in the audience.
Before he can get a word out, Nyx, the Goddess of Dreams, holds her hand up and silences him with an invisible gag.
“Sebastian, God of Life, you are to return to Aurelys and serve your role without further issue,” Seraphina continues as if nothing happened. “You and Siennara, Goddess of Death, will finish the last seventeen mortal lifetimes of your punishment before you’re free of all obligations to the Divine Council...”
Rage snakes its way through my chest. I can’t even hear the rest of Seraphina’s words over the blood whooshing in my ears and heart pounding against my chest.
This is ridiculous. Infuriating.
They aren’t conceding on a single demand we’ve made, and Nyx has got all four of us gagged now, unable to defend ourselves.
“...Revel will return to Aurelys and serve as Interim God of Life in Sebastian’s absence. Erebus will continue to serve as interim God of Death,” she goes on, as if we’re not all staring at her with enough hatred to set her on fire.
When she’s done, I raise my hand to speak. The seven of them share a questioning look before Nyx hesitantly lifts her palm and I feel my gag fall away.
Blowing out a deep breath, I try to steady my heart. As much as I want to scream obscenities in their faces and destroy thisentire chamber, I have to appear levelheaded, or my offer won’t be taken seriously. All of us will suffer then.
“I’d like to formally request that the council add the God of Life’s seventeen remaining mortal lifetimes to my own tally and clear him of his indiscretions.”
Sebastian stomps his foot behind me—a petulant, last-ditch effort to get my attention and convince me to stop. When I glance over my shoulder, I’m shocked to find tears streaming down his cheeks. In all our centuries together, Sebastian has never cried in front of me. Revel stands beside him, a mask of indifference planted carefully along his features.
He’s come to expect these surprises from me.
“You propose to take on your brother’s remaining punishment?” Seraphina’s voice echoes through the chamber incredulously, calling my attention back to her. I turn back to find her cruel eyes narrowed with suspicion. “Seventeen mortal lifetimes added to your own?”
“I do.” My voice is steadier than I feel.
“Why?” asks Elder Lyralei, leaning forward. “After thirty-three lifetimes of suffering, why would you volunteer for more?”
The truth is complicated. Messy.Human. “Because I understand now what we didn’t understand when you first sentenced us. Balance isn’t just about cosmic forces—it’s about love and sacrifice. This all began with my mistakes. My brother needs the time with his child and to serve Aurelys.”
A ripple of whispers passes through the council. I catch fragments:
“ . . . sentimental nonsense . . . ”
“ . . . corrupted by mortal emotions . . . ”
