Page 8 of A Song of Saints and Swans
Unlike Vasi’s adorably clueless Riders.
The god of the Nav snorted. “It’s not my fault you can’t compete,junior.”
When Anthia barked a laugh at the low blow, the old dog flashed some fang and offered her his arm, like some sort of roguish gentleman. “The veil is thin tonight, my swan maiden. Let us keep the icy chill of death at bay by warming those pretty feathers by the bonfire.”
Anthia willingly obliged, allowing a decorative layer of white feathers to appear on her exposed skin as they walked away.
“Being my consort is an incredible honor,” Jarilo muttered, daring to glare jealously at Veles’ back once he was out of earshot. "Why would she choose to usher in the new year withthatold relic by her side?”
I almost laughed at my twin’s mood. The truth was, he had nothing to worry about.
If Vel stepped out of line again—especially with a shifter this important to her precious Baba Yaga—our mother Mokosh would bury him so deep, he’d never leave the Nav again.
Besides that, my father knew what Anthia meant to me, and as much as he liked to play the combative grump, he had a soft spot when it came to love.
Including the unrequited kind.
“You’re simply used to minor deities throwing themselves at your feet in hopes of increasing their standing in the Prav,” I explained, not for the first time. “Our swan isn’t the type to behave like that anyway, and especially not after the recenttrauma she—”
“You think I don’t know that?” he hissed, his powerful heat uncontrollably blasting outward to match his sudden rage. “If I could locate every man who’s ever made her afraid and rip them limb from limb, I would. Howdarethey think they could touch her without permission? That they’re worthy of touching anangellike her at all.”
I gaped, momentarily speechless at his unexpected protectiveness. It wasn’t that I thought Jarilo would ever force himself on Anthia the way some older gods might, but he also wasn’t known for showing empathy.
Color me surprised.
“The best we can do is simply be there for Anthia during her journey,” I calmly spoke, moving closer to cup his handsome face in my hands. “In whatever way she needs.”
Jarilo huffed, but bent his head to rub his horns affectionately against mine, making me shudder at the physical reminder of what lay ahead. This night belonged to the underworld, but it also marked the birth of winter and spring—twin gods destined to circle each other in an endless dance of courtship, death, and rebirth.
Regardless of how taboo that might seem to modern humans.
While most of our rituals were symbolic nowadays, Jarilo and I were as entwined as two souls could be. He belonged to me and I to him, and despite the countless gods who’d passed through my brother’s bed, none had ever threatened to come between us.
Until now.
Anthia alone had brought Jarilo out of a coma after his exposure to a mysterious substance in the Facility’s London lab. I’d noticed he hadn’t been his usual carefree self since, but he refused to talk about the incident with me.
He only wants to spend his time with her.
All at once, I realized not only did Anthia naturally soothe whatever troubled Jarilo, but that he might helpherheal as well.
The two beings most dear to me—the twin who shared my blood and the shifter who’d captured my heart—could find the happiness they both deserved in each other’s arms.
Anguish shot through me at the thought of losing either of them. But I was wise enough to recognize when a force greater than myself had stepped in. Even a god’s destiny was written in the stars before they were born, and if mine was to orchestrate a perfect union like theirs before continuing on my path alone, I had little choice in the matter.
No matter how much of a cruel mistress I believe fate to be.
“Happy birthday, Jar,” I murmured, brushing my lips over his so he wouldn’t glimpse my sadness.
“Happy birthday, dearest,” he smiled against my mouth, his dark mood already forgotten.
“Shall we go rescue our swan from Vel’s claws?” I lightly asked, knowing exactly how to distract him.
Jarilo snorted before straightening and grabbing my hand. “It might be worth Veles trying something just to see Anthia kick his ass.” His grin faded. “But she doesn’t need rescuing. Especially not by me.”
This rare glimpse of vulnerability only solidified my resolve to play divine matchmaker. “She does, Jar.” Biting the inside of my cheek so hard I tasted blood, I added, “I promise, she needsyou.”
And I’ll give up everything to make it happen.
