Page 5 of Courting War
Beat. Beat.
Beat. Beat.
Beat. Beat.
Having no idea what to say, Theo settled on, “Hello, Cecile Declaire of Andromeda. Welcome back to life.”
When Theo wanted a name, it came into her mind. It was one of the perks of being divine. All pantheon gods could bend matter and energy. Energy, including neural pathways in the human brain. Theo couldn’t read humans’ thoughts per se, but she could influence them and read their patterns. Patterns like names and places often visited. From those patterns, gods could deduce information.
Cecile’s eyes locked on the goddess. “Oh,Valysia,” Cecile cursed as if she couldn’t believe her eyes. “The Goddess Theodra. I’m not dreaming.”
“No, dear child, you’re not dreaming,” Theo said in a poor attempt at a motherly voice.
Dear child?What was she, Nefeli—Queen of the Gods? Theodra certainly sounded like her mother. This wasn’t entirely a bad thing. Nefeli loved mortals, especially females, but she was also a tiresome hypocrite. If she loved humans so much, she wouldn’t interfere in their lives.
She wouldn’t revel in the Sacrifice every four years. Of course, the gods needed the Sacrifice to fuel their power, but Nefeli didn’t have to enjoy it so damned much.
“I was dead.” Shock lit up Cecile’s face as she sat up. She patted her chest and the coffin around her as if making sure she wasn’t in a dream.
“Yes.” Theo clutched the coffin so hard the wood cracked. Releasing it, she attempted another smile, unsuccessfully. She didn’t know what to do with her hands, so she patted the girl on the back, barely placing any pressure. “There, there . . .”
Theo grimaced.
Everything about this moment was horrific.
There, there?
It was what she’d seen others do in situations like this. It was supposed to help, right?
She didn’t even know why she bothered comforting the girl. It’s not like Theo felt affection—at best, she was annoyed. But honor dictated that she at least made sure the girl was okay. After all, she’d accidentally killed her.
Theo sighed, defeat lingering on her lips. It was useless. She couldn’t reassure human children when she was the personification of devastation.
As if feeling Theo’s struggle, a tiny tuxedo kitten appeared out of the mist and curled around Cecile’s feet. It was Bella, one of Theo’s nine magical familiars that could change shape and color at will. Of all her cats, Bella was the most therapeutic and sensitive, always appearing in times of great need.
Instinctively, Cecile scooped up the kitten and cuddled it against her face for comfort. “But you’re cruel,” Cecile breathed, clutching her mouth as if she hadn’t meant to say the words. Her fingers trembled—still clutching the kitten—and her heart raged in her chest. It was so loud Theo wanted to cover her ears.
“Worry not, dear child.”
Dear child, again?
Theo rubbed her face, exhausted.
This day wasn’t going the way she’d planned.
Sobs littered the air as the other six girls broke down. Many fell to their knees wailing, while others stood as still as a gorgon’s stone statues.
Oh gods, not more of them.
Through it all, Cecile’s eyes never left the goddess. They were cobalt-piercing daggers, eating away at Theo’s resolve. Once the mortal regained her composure, the fear faded, and only courage remained—which was extraordinarily unsettling.
“Why don’t you fear me?”
Cecile’s sapphires twinkled as she sat up straight and met the goddess’s gaze as an equal. The feathers surrounding Theo’s collarruffled. She wasn’t used to a human who didn’t cower at her immortal features and arrogance. “Because you saved my life and traded for my soul.” Cecile’s little voice was soft and full of hope.
“Do not mark that as a sign of caring.” Theo made her eyes turn a deep wine red and she called her ravens to circle nearer. She couldn’t have a human so unafraid.
Fear was a useful emotion. If people feared Theo, they would leave her alone. All she ever wanted in this long, empty life was to be left alone, to live out her days in peace and tranquility.
