Page 7 of Devastation
"Absolutely not. We just got her back."
Taking a deep breath, I nod for Thanny to continue.
Glancing over to my mates behind me, he waits a moment for them to quiet before continuing. "I can only bring one person with me in order to properly protect them. Lana must go because her soul is what will call Ash's back for her to re-tether him to his body."
Once more, my mates try to talk over one another, and I spin around to glare daggers at them. "Stop. Just stop. I love you all, but you need to stop acting like you can make decisions for me. I know that I hurt you all by leaving before, but this is not the same thing. We will discuss this plan together before proceeding, but rest assured, Iwillproceed if that is our best option."
They all look shell shocked, but it isn't until Zedd queries, that I realize what I confessed.
So much tenderness is displayed in his gaze as he parrots my words back to me. "You love us."
My cheeks flame with embarrassment. It’s been so long since I’ve said those words to them that it almost feels new.
Wait, no. This isn't something I should be embarrassed about. They’re my mates.
Taking a deep breath, I nod affirmatively to his question. "I do. I love all of you."
Their faces light up like it's Christmas morning, and I power forward. "But, just because I love you, doesn't mean I will allow you to make decisions for me. Love is about mutual respect and understanding. I know I didn't exactly embody those ideals when I left you before, but I promise to always do so moving forward."
Hale steps forward and grabs my hands. Giving them a squeeze, he whispers down at me, "We love you and just want to protect you, but I guess it's easy to forget that you are actually a demi-god now and capable of handling so much more."
The sweet moment is shattered by Nyx clapping her hands and groaning. "Can you children sort out your problems later? Some of us have other things we need to attend to. We are gods with responsibilities after all,” she drawls while inspecting her nails.
Thanny shocks me by shooting back at her, "What, do you have a dick appointment with one of your many consorts, Mother?"
Choking on the laugh that bubbles out of me, I quickly cover my mouth with my hands.
To that question, she just narrows her eyes and vanishes in a flurry of shadows.
"Now that she and her misplaced judgement are gone, let's continue. What I meant about there being a risk is that while you don't necessarily die to get to the River Styx, your soul will be leaving your body, just as Ash's has. I will ferry you across myself and watch over you, but there is always a chance of getting trapped there."
Thanny’s words settle over me like a heavy blanket, but I know without a doubt that I’ll risk anything to get Ash back. I’m not going to accept any other outcome.
"May I have a little bit of time to discuss this with my mates?"
"Of course. Take some time to discuss it, and then we can reconvene for dinner together before you and I set off."
Hypnos interjects, "Lana, I do need to speak with you privately before you go as well. There are a few items that Gaia wanted me to give to you."
Man, everyone wanted a piece of me right now. Non-sexually. Maybe I should have stayed in my coma-nap for longer.
The path ahead of me feels daunting and I haven't even begun to dive into what will be expected of me now as Mother Nature. It hasn't even fully sunk in that that is my actual title and role now.
Taking a deep breath, I make a plan of attack. "Okay. Please give me some time alone with my mates right now, and then we will come join you both for dinner. Hypnos, after dinner, we can chat. Sound good to everyone?"
Thankfully, everyone agrees quickly, and the two gods exit the room, leaving me alone with my mates. Turning around slowly, I mentally prepare myself for them to immediately object to my plan, but I'm pleasantly surprised when they simply arrange themselves on the bed around Ash, settling in for a conversation.
Feeling like I'm on center stage as they all patiently wait for me to speak, I start, “I know this is risky, but..." It’s on the tip of my tongue to say “but I’m going to do it anyway,” but I just promised them to make decisions as a family, so how can I?
Zedd comes to my rescue and finishes my sentence. "But there is no other option. We all would take that risk for Ash, and at the end of the day it isn't our place to make that decision for you. It was wrong of us to object. Emotions are high."
My head jerks back slightly at how perfectly rational that is. I can always count on my Zedd baby to be the logical brain of the group.
Glancing at Ash, I nod, determined to sell—well, more like loan—my soul to Thanny to travel to the River Styx.
Hale is staring at Ash intently, but it's as if he's zoned out completely. "Hale?" I ask, wondering what has him so lost in thought.
The twins glance at each other nervously before looking at me, making me question them. "What?"
