Page 9 of Damned and Broken Gods
“Yet,” I add. A reminder of who Leela is and her potential to be even more.
Umbra presses her lips together. “Yet,” she agrees. “And before I forget, I have something for you, Araz.” She reaches into the pocket of her cloak and pulls out a small black box. “It iscustomary for a drohi to receive a maternal artifact either upon their discharge or when their demigod passes the earth trial.”
My heart stops beating for a moment, my breath catching painfully in my throat.
“Here.” She steps forward, holding out the box to me. “Well, take it.”
I force myself to move, to reach out and grasp the box, pulse hammering at the base of my throat as emotions I’ve long suppressed burn the back of my eyes. “Thank you.” I’m relieved that my voice comes out strong and steady because inside, I’m breaking. I know what’s in the box. I remember.
“Now move it. All of you,” Umbra says before striding from the room.
“Wow, wot crawled up ’er ass and died?” Blue says.
Sylvie snickers.
“Obviously not a fan of monarchy rule,” Dharma says.
I catch Leela eyeing the box, questions in her beautiful eyes. I’m not ready. Not yet. I tuck the box into my pocket, and her shoulders slump.
She won’t press. Not here. Not now.
Instead, she forces a smile and addresses the room. “Look, none of us asked for this. All we can do is roll with the punches, right?”
A fist forms in my chest at the resilience of her optimism.
I’ve fought hordes of revenants across land, sky, and sea. But those battles pale in comparison to the one that lies before me. Yes, it seems that the battle to guard my heart will be my greatest test.
Chapter 4
Who Needs A Fancy Sitting Room Anyway?
LEELA
Istood in the center of our room, taking it in for the last time. How many nights had I spent curled up crying in my makeshift bed? How many nights aching after intensive training? Strange how those memories paled against each vibrant memory of being curled up against Araz. That those few nights of contact, of gentleness and kind words, somehow negated all the awful ones. The bond was a strange beast indeed.
“Yer gunna miss it, ain’tcha?” Blue said.
“Is that weird?”
“Nah. Ya found yourself ’ere, din’tcha.”
I guess I had. I’d found my purpose and a stronger backbone. I’d learned I was more resilient than I’d ever anticipated. I’d also discovered the kind of person that I wanted to be.
“The rooms in the houses are larger,” Araz said. “We’ll have shared quarters, but you’ll have your own bed.”
My stomach dipped. “Right. Good.”
“Although you’ll probably be moved to the Shahee Kshetra soon enough.”
There was an edge to his tone that made my scalp prickle. I glanced across at his profile, all hard planes and tense jaw. Was he afraid that I’d go back on our deal now that I might not have to take the labyrinth to ascend?
“Our deal still stands, Araz.”
He stilled. “Even though you may not need me to ascend?”
“Yes. I promised you freedom, and I’ll give that to you, no matter how I become a god.”
“Even though you know my true intentions?” He snared me with his topaz gaze. “Even when you know that I plan to bring down the gods?”
