Page 113 of Courting War
THEODRA
Determined Ex-God
DEATH’S MIRROR
Theo held her breath, and she felt like screaming. It felt like someone cracked open her chest and tore out her heart, squeezing it and watching the blood falling to the floor like dripping pomegranate juice.
Theo couldn’t say it. She was condemned no matter what she said. If she spoke the truth, it would kill him; if she lied, it would also kill him. Either way, Havyn would know. She’d have everything she needed to take her payment.
She’d have everything to take Kellyn’s soul. Everything to trigger the Immortal Law.
There were no options. All roads led to losing the only thing she’d ever wanted to hold onto.
Her lungs clenched tight, and the lack of air slowly killed her mortal body. Her blood felt cast in iron, and it weighed her down even more.
Theo couldn’t look at Kellyn because doing so would ruin her, so instead she averted her eyes. She’d give up her divinity forever not to love him. She’d give up so much to see him aliveand healthy.
Her lungs ached, and she couldn’t keep from meeting his eyes. Devastation crawled up her throat when she saw Kellyn’s face pale as their eyes met. Her lack of response was already destroying him.
But she had to destroy him, because he could only live if it was without her. Only in her demise could she save him.
Theo sucked in a breath of water and placed her palm one last time on the glass. He screamed, “No,” and banged on the glass as her body went limp and her eyes clouded. Darkness swallowed her consciousness.
Her death would break all deals. All promises. Her death wouldn’t trigger the Immortal Law. Her death would save him.
And saving him was all that mattered.
Chapter Thirty-Six
KELLYN
Champion of Theoden
DEATH’S MIRROR, CITY OF THE GODS
The glass between them shattered, the water evaporated, and her limp form fell into his arms. He crumpled to his knees, holding her lifeless body. Pain hit him as he cupped her still face, raven hair dripping through his fingers.
“Why did you do that?” He wailed, searching for any signs of life. Nothing. “Why?” His voice cracked. This was destroying him. He placed his forehead to hers. “Theo, why?”
“She did it to save your life.” Havyn’s soft tones floated on the air between them.
In his agony, he couldn’t quite process what the Death God said. He needed to save Theo. He rested her head on the floor and started mouth-to-mouth. Minutes slipped away, melting into nothing, the sand in her hourglass of life running out.
“No, please come back,” he croaked, and pounded his fist against her chest, hoping it would start her heart. “Please.”
But nothing happened. She was ice-cold and vacant, her lips blue from no circulation. But Kellyn refused to give up. It wasn’t in his blood. If he had to, he would march to the underworld and pull her soul back from Death. He would not lose her.
Not now.
So, he slammed his palms into her chest because her heart would start again. It would.
There was no other option.
“It’s not going to work,” Erety, the Mistress of Fate, said softly, standing above him, her wings on full display.
“You can’t bring her back that way.” Havyn knelt next to him.
Tears flowed down his face. “How do I save her?” he croaked. “Please tell me.”
