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“Of course. I was stunned more than anything.” He ran his fingers through her strands in a lazy, repetitive motion as he spoke. “I never thought I’d see your face again, despite how much I wanted to.”
You are the only goddess I worship.
It was far from the night he told her how he despised gods. The praise he gave her felt undeserving.
“If I hadn’t saved you, your father certainly would have.” She traced unhurried circles on the contours of his chest, her fingernails following the shape of the tattoo of the Blood Heretics insignia on his left pec. His nipples pebbled to her wandering touch. “The High Goddess of Fate would have intervened somehow, considering your father was not of the Himura bloodline.”
“My dad and I didn’t have the best of relationships at that point.” His words hung in the air like a rain cloud. “He didn’t approve of how many people I’d killed, despite their intentions to steal my blood, and I felt so fucking guilty for it. I wasn’t the best at controlling my magic back then, and it wasn’t something he could understand since he was only human. But add in disappointing him, or the idea he thought any less of me…”
While Naia hated the idea of violence, she empathized with Ronin and his actions. He was a child, relentlessly attacked. What else was he supposed to do?
“Tell me about him.” Naia brought her hand up to move the pieces of hair caught in his eyelashes. “About your mother, too.”
His gaze fell onto hers, somber and deep. “Only if you do too. The mom who threatens you, the dad you adore, your awful siblings, and the mortal you fell in love with. Tell me everything about you, Naia. I want to know it all.”
She smiled wistfully. “His name was Kaleo, and I met him on Nohealani Island.”
Ronin’s arms constricted around her waist, pulling her closer to his chest. “It seems my home brings you luck then.”
Cloaked in his chilly skin, she had an obsessive urge to warm him with her own body heat. “My father created the island, so I suppose you are not incorrect.” She took a breath, wading through an entirely different ache cresting in her heart as she planted her hands on either side of his neck.
Ronin relaxed into her grasp. “Then it’s a lie the High Goddess of the Sea founded Nohealani Island?”
Naia nodded, clamping down her frustration regarding such a topic and moved her hands down a little way to the base of his throat, defrosting his frigid skin.
“I want you to know everything about me, but finding the words is difficult.” She lifted her hand wearing the bracelet and gestured to it with her eyes. “May I show you my life instead?”
His eyes softened, the flecks of bronze dissolving in his rich brown irises. “I’ll see whatever you present to me. Tell me if you want me to stop the spell.”
Naia nodded and the gem on the bracelet gleamed.
Ronin guided her chin up and his lips met hers, casting his spell to open her mind up to him.
24
KALEO
The Past
Astorm brewed over the land. Lightning cut through the night sky, followed by the clash of thunder to punctuate its ferocity. The rain felt like pellets of ice slicing the tops of Naia’s shoulders as she jogged down the narrow-muddied path. It winded through the dense forest into the square of the town.
With the wind slapping through her hair, she came to a stop, her bare feet sinking in the sludge. Brick buildings ran parallel on either side of her. The warm light of the lampposts did nothing to help her read the names of the establishments plastered on the arches of their structures. The rain weeping from the sky made it impossible to peer through.
To her right was a large clock tower. There was a spot halfway up to overlook the island. She considered taking refuge there until the storm cleared.
A barrage of trotting cut through the rain. She spun as a horse-drawn carriage sped past her, splattering muck across her front.
Naia gasped as her body stiffened and arms came up.
Grounding her teeth, she squinted through the night for refuge. Did it have to be so dark?
Marina popped into her mind. Centuries had passed since she last saw her sister. News had traveled to Kaimana a month ago about how Marina had defeated Keirnan, the previous High God of the Night. This information had not stunned Naia in the slightest. Had Marina’s new title changed her in any way? Perhaps Naia would get the opportunity to see her again one day.
Naia hung her head up at the crackling sky. Rain pelted her in the eyes, a child’s play type of pain. It was enough to make Naia laugh as regret pierced her thoughts, followed by doubt in herself. Used to being guided by the occupants of Mira’s staff with a room to call her own, and a palace, no matter how hollow it felt, to live in.
I am stressed due to my lack of cleanliness and housing.
She huffed out a laugh. It was minuscule. Such nonsense compared to her usual problems.
