Page 136 of Lost and Stolen Gods
“Nobody likes change, chick, but you adjusted ta bein’ here, dincha? Even though muscle boy was a cunt about things.”
“We made a deal last night.”
“Oh? Do tell.”
“Not now. Later. I promise.”
I stopped outside the kitchen door and took a breath to compose myself. It hurt just being here, knowing that Pashim wouldn’t be in there waiting at our table with breakfast and a smile.
“Breathe,” Blue said softly. “We can do this.” He nuzzled my cheek. “We have him with us. In our hearts. And he showed me how ta make those little sweet meat things ya like, so…”
A small laugh escaped me. “I love you, Blue.”
“Course you do, I’m amazing. Now let’s get this done.”
I exhaled, shook out my hands, and stepped into the room.
The low buzz of conversation stopped, and everyone turned to look at me. I almost lost my nerve, because too many faces, too many expressions—pity and questioning eyes. I couldn’t walk into that room and act as if everything was normal.
As if I hadn’t lost…him.
I took a step back and hit a solid wall of muscle.
Warm hands cupped my shoulders. “It’s all right. I’m here,” Araz said over my head. “We can do this. Together.”
Joe stood slowly, his bottom lip trembling. “Hey…I—” He crossed the room in long strides and pulled me into a hug. “Thank you. Thank you so much.”
My stupid eyes welled. “I didn’t do anything. It was Pashim. He…”
“He did what I could not,” Mahira said, her eyes bright with tears. “I’m so sorry.”
“You could have let go, and you didn’t,” Joe said. “You didn’t…”
My friends surrounded us in their love and support, and it hit me how selfish grief was because I wasn’t the only one grieving. Pashim had been loved by us all.
I wasn’t alone in this. Not by a long shot.
Our little huddle broke, and we wiped our tears and exchanged soft smiles.
“Come,” Araz said. “Let’s eat and celebrate Pashim’s life.”
“Yes,” Chaya said. “I for one am dying to taste your sweet bread.”
I looked up at him in surprise. “You…you cooked?”
He lightly caressed my cheek. “Yes, and I will do so every day that we are together.”
His words reminded me of my oath to him and that our time together was limited. I had to ensure I made the most of it.
The affinity ceremonydidn’t take place in Prashikshan domain but in an annex domain, accessible by a bridge and a flight of steps that took us below the clouds. We passed through a stone arch above which three huge gemstones were embedded: an azure blue, a deep red, and a stunning amethyst one. Araz explained that the stones were symbols of the gods. The blue was the Asura, the red the Danava and the amethyst the Deva.
The whole domain was one large arena with bleacher-style seating, now packed with Asura, Danava, and seasoned demigods. And in the center of it all were five stone pillars arranged in a circle.Symbols made grooves in the ground and connected the stones.
Tantrik mages dressed in flowing green robes stood around the structure, staffs held aloft. The air vibrated and fizzed with power.
We waited on the perimeter of the arena, hidden from all eyes by a deep awning. Umbra had insisted we don our battle armor outfits, and the pinch of fabric was absent today. I guess Araz had been right about it adjusting to our bodies.
There were other potentials here with us, native demigods awaiting their affinity assignments. But they stood apart from us. Wary of us. That would have to change.
