I relax my muscles and nuzzle my face into his shoulder, trying to get as much of his blood and rose scent off him as I can and into my senses.
“It’s fine… Kastian, are you okay?”
Rune continues to stroke my hair calmly as my Eostrix behind me considers my words.
“Don’t worry about me. It’s nothing compared to the months you endured…”
“I… I think we’re going to have to kill her.”
Both of my males twitch but remain silent.
My heart is torn. I know she’s got the monopoly on pain… Talia was so cruel to her and that sucks, but it doesn’t mean she has to fuck my life and the Rhythm in every way she can.
Kastian presses his face to the back of my neck. “I’ll kill her. You don’t need to endure any more trauma.”
I shake my head slowly. “It has to be me. I can feel it in my bones. You keep Arulius busy.”
Rune frowns but Kastian replies, “Do you think he’s trying to help us? I thought you were fucking crazy for wanting him a week ago… and I’m sorry for blowing up on you, but now I’m not so sure. I mean… he taught you tofly—why would he do that?”
“He had to have known I’d escape, right? Maybe Arulius taught me for this reason alone. His way offreeingme.” My heart sinks. Was this his roundabout way of setting me free? So that Violet couldn’t blame him directly? I wish I could have all the answers.
Rune’s voice curls through my mind.“He’ll come for you. I’ve seen the way he looks at you. He’ll never let you go, pup, whether he wanted you free or not.”
I frown and clutch onto Rune a little tighter. “He doesn’t have a choice. We’ll find a way to break the bond and then I’ll resurrecteverything.”
Rune pulls the blanket over our heads and I look up at him with surprise. His red eyes practically glow in the gloom. I feel like a child again, hiding under the sheets from the monsters that I always thought were out to get me. Is this his way to get privacy with Kastian so close?
I bite my lips to hold back my smile.
“You’re the Goddess of Dawn and Life. For whatever reason, the God of Wrath is hell-bent on having you. I’m not sure he can exist in peace… You might have to let him go, pup.”My eyes widen and I push away, our heads resurfacing. Kastian gives me a worried look.
I stare into Rune’s eyes. I want everything he’s saying to be wrong because I’m not sure I caneverlet him go. I can’t control the Rhythm alone… I need all of them to be by my side. Even Talia failed to keep the worlds together without help.
I sigh.
“What will you do? When everything is fixed and the realms are right.” I try to change the subject to something else. The thought of Arulius dying… No.
His eyes soften, a look so melancholic and painful runs through them. I’m already bracing myself for his words.“I’ll be with you. You’re the only one, Elodie. The light that takes me from the darkness. You’re the sun of worlds—all of them, but especially mine.”
My heart warms and I gaze into his crimson eyes.
“You’re my drop of blood in snow.”
His lip kicks up and he nuzzles his nose against mine.
“And me?” Kastian teases as he licks my neck.
“You’re my moonlit lullaby.” I reminisce on the first moment I laid eyes on my Death God.
His lips turn up against my skin and we fall silent until we’re drifting into the banks of sleep. I’m safe and sound here in their arms. No nightmares can scare me when they’re here with me.
25
Elodie
We’re barely awake enough to even enjoy our coffee.
Kastian is still bathing upstairs and Rune looks like he’s about to fall out of his chair, his head resting on his arm as he stares at me with those crimson eyes I’ve come to love so much. I’ve never felt more beautiful in my entire life than I do when he looks at me.