Page 22 of Courting War
All the muscles in Theo’s back tightened. Havyn knew. Which meant the rest of the gods would surely know, too. It was horrible. Theo’s shame was written for all the gods to see. Possibly all the world to see.
It was bad enough being bested by her mother. It was even worse for everyone to know about it.
Theo’s honor was threatened, her place among the gods, her power and strength at stake.
“Aye, Death, punish her.” A woman called from the docks; her mortal eyes unable to perceive the twins’ likeness—even as she stared right at them.
The goddess’s eyes flicked to the crowd, noticing their audience. The woman’s voice mixed with other spectators, eager to see bloodshed. In the City of the Gods, people were used to seeing gods and even yelling at them. Everything about the Isle of the Gods was different from the Nine Great Counties, including the technology. The city lived in the ancient times, so all the Gilded-Age inventions like steam engines, telephones, and even guns were not permitted. Gods preferred simpler times. Only the steamships were allowed to dock at the ports, and electricity was allowed in the houses.
“Aye, Death, are you going to flay her flesh?”
Theo grunted. A mob loved gruesome executions. It was why they came from all over the world to watch the Sacrifice—for the carnage. Human nature was vile.
Death let out a chuckle. “No, that’s more War’s style.” Her eyes flicked to Theo. “Isn’t it,Priestess?”
“Something you might want to remember for later.”
“Oh, you are entertaining.” Havyn’s lilac eyes glittered. “Priestess, accompany me on a walk away from these . . . lovely humans.”
Theo pondered rejecting the request out of pure spite, but it was in her best interest to settle their issues out of the view of prying eyes.
“As you wish.” Theo smiled through her teeth, Dahlia screeching on her wrist in a warning. The bird didn’t want to goanywhere with this devil. She was right to be afraid, but there wasn’t a better option.
“No one follows us,” Havyn commanded the crowd and the Theoden warriors.
Not a single soul dared defy her. Instead, they let the goddesses push through the crowd, the mortals’ faces curious but cowering—their eyes focused on the ground as they passed. The goddesses walked silently through a sea of impertinent humans. It wasn’t until they were alone in an alley that Theo finally spoke.
“I see you’re enjoying this.” Every word was toxic, like a petal from a nightshade bloom.
“Immensely.” Havyn chuckled. “I love seeing you squirm. It’s wonderfully entertaining.”
“Sod off.”
“Tsk, tsk, tsk, that’s not very sporting, especially not considering the trouble you’ve gotten yourself into.” Havyn clicked her tongue. “Human and bruising.”
“Have you come simply to gloat?” Theo’s jaw ticked, and her back muscles spasmed from the strain.
“Would it shock you if I didn’t come to gloat at all?”
A mocking laugh slid from Theo’s lips. “Of course, it would.”
“You’re so disappointing.” Havyn clicked her heels and sat back onto a shadow throne in the middle of the alleyway.
“Why have you come?”
“Can’t I spend time with my sad little sister?” Havyn asked as the darkness played with her inky curls. “Always so glum. You know, you could use some levity in your miserable existence.”
A wisp of shadow patted Theo on the cheek, and she shook it off. “There was a time when you were the sad one.”
“True, alas, love ruins our torturous ways.” A smile danced on Havyn’s cheeks. “Besides, even then, I had a sense of humor.” What Death meant to say was that even depressed, she was always an obnoxious peacock that never shut up.
“Why are you here, Havyn? You don’t meddle. It’s the one thing I like about you.”
“I resent that,” Havyn’s lips twitched, “I meddle sometimes, and believe it or not, I’m here to help.”
Theo’s brows drew together. “How?”
“By bringing you to where you need to go.”
