Page 138 of Between Soul and Vessel
Enjoying the view, love?Sage purred through our bond, using my own words against me.
Cheeky female.
The corner of my mouth lifted into a grin. I left her waiting for a moment before I said in a husky tone,Out of all the lands I’ve traveled to and the incredible sights I’ve witnessed, I’ve never seen a greater one.
Her breathy laughter warmed my cold heart.Such a charmer,she teased.
I only speak the truth, I said, as we passed by a group of women. Some glanced our way, their curious eyes drifting over me and Folkoln. Their whispered murmurs were easy to make out—they discussed how rich our ownersmust be to have suchfinestock.
My eyes met Folkoln’s briefly, our egos thoroughly fed.
An astringent flavor burst across my tongue. It tasted bitter, like a rotten, sour lemon. I knew what it was—
Jealous, Little Goddess?I asked through our connection.
Territorial,she corrected.I have half a mind to rip that cloth from your face and kiss you in front of them, just so they know you are mine.
I chuckled. My, my, how things have changed.
She glanced over her shoulder, shooting me an innocent smile, then looked back ahead. If there was one absolute truth I knew, it was this—I would doanythingfor Sage. All she had to do was speak the words, and I would follow her to the ends of the universe.
We walked by another group of women. Following behind them, dressed in rags, with a collar around his neck and a mask on his face, was a man. His eyes were downcast, his shoulders curved from a lifetime of servitude. There was no pride in his step, no vigor in his wilting torso. He was but a shell, a vessel—the light from his soul long burnt out.
How far the male gender had fallen in this realm.
In truth, when I looked at the cruel and violent acts mankind committed back home, I could understand why they ended up as they had. I thought of Lyra and what those soldiers had done to her, leaving her so bruised and broken like that. She had been lucky to escape with her life. And even though her bones and scars had healed, the trauma they had inflicted still haunted her. She had chosen not tospeak—because ofwhatthey had done to her.
Those soldiers had stolen her voice.
How many other men had done that?
How many had raped and murdered women?
And it wasn’t like the New Gods were any better.
Aurelius had treated Sage as if she were his slave, forcing her to stand beside his throne while he sat on his lazy, pompous ass. He’d always wanted her to be less than him, never equal. When I thought of his intentions for her, to use her as if she were breeding stock, a factory to produce his repulsive little heirs, my bloodless veins began to boil. Sure, Sage would have been fine with that at first, but what happened when she grew tired of child rearing?
I knew the answer to that.
Aurelius was too self-serving to care what her wishes were. He would have done as he pleased, believing that he had a right to her body, to force his children inside her.
The thought fanned my fury.
You are serving up quite the tasty meal, brother,Folkoln’s voice entered my thoughts.What’s gotten you so fired up?
Men,I replied flatly.
Folkoln chuckled.You and every other female.
I didn’t respond, didn’t care to.
Folkoln said,I spoke with Saphira today. Sounds like she might have—
I swung my gaze at him, my eyes a well-sharpened ax cutting off his words.I couldn’t care less what Saphira is doing.If you want to talk to the traitor, go for it, but I don’tneed any updates.
Aren’t you a little bit interested in finding out what our sister has been—
No updates,I reiterated firmly, looking ahead.
