Chapter 25

T hey strode forth from the bedroom and made their way onto the deck. The morning sun flickered through the heavy clouds and a cold wind swept over them. The dozen Sanuri stood in formation. They already wore their white leather outfits but kept no weaponry. Closing on them all around were eight imperial sunships, their gleaming sides and dark flags menacing in the chill air. She could see soldiers waiting to board their sunship and arrest everyone. She shivered, meeting the eyes of the gathered Sanuri. They impassively stared at her in return. Had she just sentenced everyone here to their deaths? She had better be right about her fucking trade.

Corina sauntered up to Vala. "I suppose we just had to return."

"I'm so sorry." She winced, seeing Corina blink away tears. As much as she wanted to tell her friend everything, she kept silent. If they were about to be recaptured by the Imperial soldiers, the less Corina knew, the better.

"You keep saying sorry and yet it never helps fix the situation." Corina studied the encroaching sunships. "Maybe I'll become a pirate. I'll hunt down all the imperial sunships and burn them to little bits."

Gangplanks slammed upon the railings as soldiers poured forth. They were searched for weapons and handcuffed. When the soldiers grabbed Vala, she felt all the terrors of prior captures hit her, whelming into that terrible feeling of being trapped. But she looked up and met Rafe's steady gaze. His calmness gave her courage, even as chains were fastened upon her wrists. She remained locked in his gaze, twisting her head to stare back at him for as long as possible as they had hauled her across the gangway, onto an imperial sunship.

She was shoved into a small, empty room and the door slammed in her face. The solitary bulb overhead proved the only light. There were no windows. She curled up against the cell wall, biting down the fear that rose within her throat. Solitary confinement had once again reared its ugly head. She felt like throwing up and weakly retched. He would not approve, she reasoned, thinking of Rafe. She had to remind herself again why she had done this. She must not think of what may have happened to the others. To Rafe. Were they also waiting in cells or even now being tortured?

When the guards wrested open the cell door and dragged her forth, she knew that hours had passed. They were back in Ovgarod. The soldiers hauled her from the sunship and onto the docks. A black row of cars waited amid the empty, closed wharf shops. She gazed at the snowy city above her. The mountainous heart of the empire, packed with towering steel and glass skyscrapers. Above the mansions of the Upper Levels, the palace rose, obscured by heavy clouds.

She looked around, hoping for sight of Rafe, Corina, and the other Sanuri. Perhaps they had already disembarked for she saw no familiar face in the dozens of soldiers that poured from the hovering sunships. She studied the cars lined before her but the windows were tinted and she could not see the inhabitants inside. They shoved her into a vehicle and the cavalcade shot away, furiously driving from the docks, to the highway curving above, headed into the heart of Ovgarod.

As she stared out the window at the road rushing past, at the high-rises that loomed before them, approaching like a massive forest of gleaming metal, opening to the palace above, she tried to remember to breathe. The spired towers and peaked roofs of the Academy came into view. A few students hurried across the frosted lawns and the bells rang mournfully in the icy air. Had it really been just last week that she had worked there as a janitor? She had been so blissfully ignorant of her fate. Her biggest concern had been avoiding trouble with the law, partying with Janie and Corina, and designing rune equations for Exchange workers. How simple it all seemed now.

The gates of the Upper Level reared over the cavalcade, flashing past in marble and steel. She realized that the clouds upon the mountaintop were actually smoke. The dragon and emperor's battle had created massive fires that poured billows of gray fumes into the atmosphere around the mountain. The mansions that shot past were dark under the fallen snow and drifting ash, their window shades drawn shut and doors closed.

The palace gates swung open and the cars rushed in. Her heart dropped at the sight.

The courtyard was filthy with snow, cinders, and spilled blood. The dragon's destruction lay visible everywhere. Large chunks of the magnificent white marble and gold structure had crumbled, blackened from the fire, and many of the windows were blown out, their dark interiors turned into sightless, gaping holes. Columns of imperial soldiers lined a path that led up the steps to where the ruined palace entrance smoked. She could feel the powerful thrum of the Dynn opening code within their fingers, see the cold otherworld reflected in their staring eyes.

They dragged her from the car and flung her upon the palace steps. Lifting her gaze, she looked to the open doors of the front entrance, to where the emperor emerged.

Luiximor was somehow more terrifying than she remembered. The dragon's blast had burned short his hair and it lay closely cropped upon his skull. His black robes stirred in the cold wind and his serpentine, silver eyes shone in the pale light. Eyes that fixed upon her with malice and gloating disdain. Beside him shrank Princess Helen, dressed in mourning. Her face looked stark and drawn and Vala noticed she no longer wore her engagement ring.

Joe stood there too. Vala met his gaze in brief wonderment, curious to see him beside the emperor after everything that had happened. Joe's eyes, cold and small in that grizzled face, were utterly unreadable as he looked beyond her to where the other cars parked.

More vehicle doors opened and the Sanuri prisoners were pulled out. Corina emerged, somewhat dazed from her arrest, her bubbly courage fading under the august feeling of doom that hung over the courtyard. And then her heart leapt as Rafe stepped forth, elegant and princely despite the chains weighing down his shoulders. He met her eyes and smiled.

Vala's lip quivered as he was shoved beside her, his knees knocked out with a blow so that he fell to the ground. He deserved better than this. They all did. If only she had found a way to escape, alone, to meet her fate with Luiximor.

The emperor took a heavy step towards her. The fury that clenched his body made her feel sick. "So you have freely returned to me. You understand at last that we belong together."

"You killed the Masked Man who wished to protect me," she said, keeping her eyes fixed upon him, feeling the first flush of heat warm her body at their proximity. "You chopped off his head and gave it to me like a gift."

He sneered. "Do not pretend like it matters. You flit from lover to lover like a moth between flames."

She needed his RAGE. She raised her head, meeting his eyes, opening select memories to him. And he saw it all.

Rafe's mouth crushing her lips. How their bodies had intertwined under the glowing solar engines, her fingers stroking his naked chest and his devouring gaze ? —

Luiximor's lip curled in disgust and he looked away, breaking their connection. "You are a fool to return. You could have lived a few more days in Theves before I launched my army and destroyed you both." He glared at Rafe. "As for you, I don't like people taking what is mine. You may be Prince of Theves but you overplayed your welcome. Your head will be returned to your country as a mark of my contempt."

Rafe said nothing. He seemed to be waiting on something. And then she realized he was waiting for her. She must be strong, as he thought she could be.

She straightened and met the emperor's gaze with renewed focus. "Luiximor, I return to avenge the murder of my parents and the crimes you have committed upon my flesh. Today, you must die."

Perhaps that would be enough to incite his anger, furious and burning. She felt Rafe's eyes upon her…felt his deep sadness and a sense of pride but she brushed the emotions away. She had to concentrate.

The emperor's laugh broke her thoughts. "You are the weakest reincarnation yet. I am a god. I am untouchable. You are mine now, my prisoner to do with as I wish. Guards, take her away."

They grabbed her. She sweetly smiled, noticing her skin had turned feverish, despite the cold. Was Luiximor even now feeling a similar heat? "Even a god can die if their rune path decays in the Dynn."

He turned to her, his features twisted into a mocking smile. "Oh? You hope to destroy my future? With what means? I own the best runes in the world… your former runes, guarded by multiple dragons. My power within the Dynn runs supreme for another ten thousand years. Will your simpleton prince have his Sanuri call another dragon upon me? I killed that monster and I can burn many more just like it."

She considered this. Where was the body? Such a large dragon could not have been removed so quickly without evidence. And there was none. Such a feat should have been easy for him. Certainly, he could have said the dragon was shoved back in the Dynn but he went out of his way to reassure her of his power.

He was lying.

He strode to her with heavy steps, metal boots thudding upon the imperial protection runes carved into the stones, sparking them with glints of fire under every step.

"Either way, I'm tired of this conversation and of you. Perhaps, I should just kill you now and put an end to your miserable attempts to provoke me." His whip snaked out from his sleeve, its tip scraping along the ground.

Rafe moved. Swiftly, quietly, and with deadly precision. One moment, his body dragged under heavy chains. Then, the metal thudded upon the ground and his limbs sprang free.

Three quick steps and his arms wrapped around the emperor, a knife pressed firmly against Luiximor's pale throat. His free hand wrested away the whip, sending it flying. She stared in shock. He moved so fast?—

Rafe's blue gaze met hers. "I gave you my word that he would never again harm you."

She felt the warmth of his reassurance; the tender acknowledgement of his loyalty to her. It was a feeling more precious than the sun above or the ground beneath her feet.

Around them, chains fell, dropping from the Sanuri, crashing to the pavement. Vala felt the guards swiftly yanked off of her and she stumbled upward. Corina gaped as she was set free. The gathered soldiers swayed with shock. Vala supposed elite warriors such as the Sanuri could not be kept bound by Dynn chains. They were no small threat, despite the imbalance of power and weaponry within the courtyard.

Luiximor heavily smiled, arching his throat against Rafe's blade. The blade pierced his flesh so that a blood drop broke from the steel tip and fell upon the ground.

"I see that I have underestimated you, Thevian prince, or will I say the assassin in the mask?"

" You are the Masked Man," Helen gazed with fresh, calculating appreciation upon Rafe. "To think that with all your cunning, you still failed to marry me, the imperial princess."

Rafe grimaced with disgust at her. "You should have poisoned me while you had the chance."

Helen inclined her head in vehement graciousness but her eyes were as green as the venom she had prepared for his drink. Vala blinked, turning away from her evil thoughts.

The emperor lavishly sighed, yet sweat beaded his brow. "So, what will you do, Rafael? Cut my throat and run away with my bride into the sunset? I do not think you understand how the runes work."

Rafe's blade pressed deeper, silencing him. "Vala, do what you came for or I will kill him now and without your permission."

She staggered up, her body sluggish and too warm. Above them, the moons dimly glimmered amid the shredded clouds. Pale daylight broke upon their faces. Somewhere beyond the muddy, blood-splashed grounds, the charred palace, and the smoke and fog encircling them, the sun—brilliant and hot—burned kind, eternal fire upon the spinning planet.

She felt the heat blossom within her mind and the knowledge gave her peace. And death. She felt death approaching. But kindly, like an old friend with open arms. Finally, she and Luiximor would die and end the evil that had blighted her life and all the lives that she had lived before this.

She longed to be set free. It was time. There was no other future that remained except to allow her fate to unfold.

She heard her voice speak, a whisper in the wind. "He is already dead, although he does not know it yet. We merely put oars into the rushing current to better glide downstream. "

The emperor sneered, pallid face glistening. "You dare use my words against me? Cursed bitch."

He gasped as Rafe tightened his grip. "Call her that name again and I swear that you will drown in your own blood."

Vala stood still, ignoring the heavy, thick pulses ravaging her heart. It was thumping too hard, too hot, too terribly. Was this what Luiximor's heart echoed as he stood there, eyes fixated with loathing upon her? "Your worst mistake, but not your only one, Luiximor, was showing me the rune of my birth. Birth runes are a trader's original signature…as you should have known."

"You think I care." He snarled. "What need do I have for such information when I am a god?"

He flung himself into the knife so that it stuck from his neck, blood flowing down his chest like some hideous stain. Helen screamed. Rafe staggered back, shocked.

"See?" He gurgled, blood flying from his lips, his arms outspread, sweat beading his face. "You speak of grand things but you still do not understand. You cannot kill me with your weapons or your runes. My future is secure. I cannot die."

Vala watched in horror and fascination as he wrenched out the blade. Beside her, Corina buckled over and dry heaved. The skin sealed shut upon his flesh, the silver eyes burned hot upon her, and his palms flung outward. To burn her to ash. Rafe moved as if to shield her but she stuck out her arm.

"No!" She screamed. This was it.

He froze, an eternity of grief passing across his eyes. She loved him for obeying her last request, for giving her the freedom to decide.

As if in slow motion, she saw the sunfire burst from Luiximor's hands. It shot towards her like a bolt of lightning and she shut her eyes.

But the fire curled back into his fists and then…evaporated. Luiximor staggered backward in shock. Again, his hands shot out towards her, knuckles white with fury. This time, nothing happened. Not even a puff of smoke. Dimly, through the roaring in her ears, she heard Corina snigger. Rafe helped Vala up from the ground and she clung to him as though she would never let go.

"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO ME?" Luiximor wheeled upon her now, his voice terrible, face red and strained.

Vala realized Luiximor would kill her with his bare hands, but Rafe stepped in front of her and she sensed something change in the air around them, a dense force of dark energy and power unleashed where there had been none before.

The emperor's eyes flickered to the honed warrior guarding his prey and Vala felt he grew afraid. Then something jolted within his eyes. A spark of awareness and fear. "You…" He breathed harshly, staring at Rafe as though seeing him in a dreaded, new light. "How did you escape? How? "

"As they say, time heals many wounds," Rafe composedly replied, a tall and dark figure amid the ruined snow.

The Sanuri circled closer, gathering to their prince, and she felt the uncertainty quiver through the imperial soldiers as they were surrounded. They turned to their emperor but he only staggered backward. A spasm shook Luiximor's face…and stayed there, slicing open his flesh. His hands clasped the cheek that smoked and turned crimson with hidden fire.

His voice immediately calmed, turned lyrical in a way that made her sick. "Vala darling, what did you do?"

Guilt struck her for a moment. Had he deserved his fate? Was she one to dole out such severe punishment? Either way, she thought, it was too late…for them both. She felt a hideous pain throb her belly into fire. The same pain that she had experienced in the throne room, only, she had not recognized it at the time. She was dying with the emperor, her body shutting down. Her cursed future was finally ending.

"As your great short, I had to die for you to take over my runes," she gasped out, "My strong, fresh runes, waiting for you to purchase them and give me your worthless runes in return. But then I thought…what if, during the eclipse, my runes trade upon my signature instead of yours? Luiximor, you should have paid better attention to the mechanics that controlled your future…" She said and took an unsteady breath against the burning. "And the loyalty of your traders who seek the best opportunity for the empire , not the emperor ."

Her eyes flickered to Joe.

Luiximor wheeled around, pure grief in his silver eyes even as his hands smoked and rivulets of fire ran up his robes. "You betrayed me? I made you Head of the Exchange. How could you?"

Joe grimaced at the smoking, flaming emperor. "I serve the Empire, first and foremost. In that, I have not been disloyal."

Vala straightened, wincing, and faced the emperor. Rafe's arms reached for her but she stepped away. The guilt she felt earlier melted into a strange, heady calm. "Luiximor, you're the great short, not me. I told Joe to enter my birth rune… my signature …instead of yours when the market's dip was at its lowest. My runes were far more powerful after the eclipse and grew hyper fast. The world's Exchanges responded well. Your runes have been suffering for years, after all. Look at all this terrible weather we've had. I can't remember when the last sunny day was, and you're the sun god! The imperial traders traded my runes on my signature to fresh highs but yours remained separate, left behind… decaying…dying ." Her smile could have turned sugar to honey. A smile that quickly twisted into a grimace as pain lanced through her.

Luiximor staggered towards her, fiery fissures splitting his skin, turning him into a demon of terror. "Vala, it didn't have to end this way?—"

He screamed, clutching his stomach, buckling over in agony as his body burned from the inside out. The clouds thinned above, suddenly evaporating. The hot sun burst forth, flooding the mountain in brilliant rays. With a final shout and stagger towards her, the emperor collapsed, tumbling into a heap of ash. A sharp wind flung the ashes across the pavement, scattering the black dust into the mud and snow.

Emperor Luiximor, sun god, wielder of solar fire, and master stakeholder of the world's runes, was no more.

Her first thought was one of profound regret and then a desolate sadness crushed her mind. What had she done? Perhaps it was justice that she should also die for such a murder. Her knees gave way. Rafe grabbed her arm, steadying her. She met his gaze with difficulty. "Rafe, I'm sorry. I had to keep my trade a complete secret."

"We have both kept secrets from each other." He clasped her tightly. "You don't have to do this."

She blinked away tears, pain washing through her body and mind. He had sacrificed so much for her and gained nothing in return. "Why do you still help me when I'm about to die?"

"You can still live. Right now." His eyes burned into hers. "It is not over unless you say so."

Vala shuddered, turning her face away from Rafe. It was done. Luiximor was truly gone. She had her revenge. Time to die. She crumpled to the ground. Before darkness hit her, she remembered one thing. Familiar arms that enfolded her to an unyielding chest, ensuring she did not hit the pavement. And just like that, simply and with no chance to say any last words or think any final thoughts beyond feeling glad that the pain had finally, finally ceased, she knew no more.

Whatever Vala expected death to be like, she was disappointed at the reality. She felt, saw, and experienced nothing in the blackness while her body lay dormant on the ground. It was as if she simply didn't exist. And that was the most frightening aspect of all.

A glimmering of light splashed across her silent brain and the electrical sparks flickered knowledge to each other, tentatively and then with a heady rush that sent a deep shudder down her frame. Her lips opened, gasping for air. Sweet, fresh, and cold. Blinking, she opened her eyes, the light shrinking her huge pupils. Too bright of light. Too burning hot.

"Breathe. Just try to breathe and relax. The worst is over," a warm voice said. It sounded like a person she had known.

What had been his name? She blinked again, adjusting to the sunny skies above, the chestnut hair that fringed her vision. A foreign prince. An assassin…his lips had been on hers and his name was Rafe. Yes, his face hovered over hers, tight with concern. She noticed that her strands of hair splayed across her breasts were the color of silver. With hands that felt disembodied, she pulled the locks over her shoulder, touching the flowing, glittering waterfall in her fingers. Deep within her, she felt that now, all futures were possible.

The Sanuri gathered tightly to Rafe, bristling…and towards her. As if she were a threat? She sat up, staring. The imperial soldiers murmured amongst themselves, uncertain of how to act after their emperor had turned to ash.

"Her eyes…look!"

"They're silver."

"As is her hair. It is a sign. A gift from the stars above."

"She is here to rule us. She is to replace the emperor!"

Vala felt incredulous. Impossible. If she had silver hair and eyes…that would be…that would mean…she was a… She could not believe it.

Slowly, the soldiers put down their weapons and bowed to the new immortal in their midst.

Only Rafe continued to steadily watch her with an inscrutable expression she could not place.

She dimly felt Helen slink away, her black dress vanishing away down a corridor.

She spread out her hands, feeling awareness seep into each finger, a burning flicker tingling under her palms. The sentience continued to flower deep within her brain, feeding currents of information from the open eyes of everyone fixated upon her.

"Well done, Flowers," Joe bowed. "It's about time we had a new sun god. Or sun goddess, in your case."

Goddess. She sharply breathed, meeting Rafe's steady gaze. He had called her Bright Eyes from the moment they first met. Bright eyes…like the silver ones she now possessed.

"You knew all along," she whispered.

"Yes, when I saw your runes, I knew you had finally been reborn. Your runes are incredible. Built with immortal, self-replicating curves like Luiximor's had been. Delicate as a butterfly's wing and yet shining like the sun. I have never seen anything more beautiful or repressed." Rafe's voice was flat and emotionless.

She read the remaining sentence in those sky-blue irises. Now that you are reborn and Luiximor is dead, you will no longer be denied access to the Dynn . Her heart leapt with joy at the thought. She must find her runes and claim her land in the Dynn, protecting her rune plants from everyone, forever. Build a new future and use it well. Then, perhaps, her parents and Janie would not have died for nothing. Perhaps then, her fresh chance at life would be meaningful and happily lived.

But the rush of emotion warmed her palms. Sunfire had awoken within her veins. She was an idiot to hope for happiness. She had slaughtered her parents as a prepubescent goddess and now Luiximor. She was defective, guilty of great evil, and she was still alive. All gods were murderous; a killer species. A disquieting thought occurred to her. Maybe she was meant to spend an eternity increasing her penchant for death. Perhaps this was to be her true legacy. Perhaps…she no longer minded that she could kill.

She turned to the Head of the Imperial Rune Exchange, "Joe, I suppose you didn't only trade my runes during the eclipse?"

He bowed again. "A good rune trader always eats their own cooking."

She weakly grinned. Fear and greed. He had spent a lot of time around dragons and their runes over the years in the Exchange and she had spent a lot of time around him. She had correctly guessed what he wanted and now he owed her since her secret trade had made him likely one of the richest men in the world. "How much did you make on personally trading on my short of the emperor's runes?"

"Enough to live a thousand lifetimes and never work again."

"Good. Will you do me a favor?" She sat up, feeling both immensely weak and yet as if freshly awoken from sleep.

"Anything, Flowers."

She staggered to her feet, helped by Rafe's strong arms. "Fund my research. I have much to learn about my powers and heritage. I will need money."

He held out his hand. "In return, let me become your advisor. You will find that political power does not come as graciously as celestial magic."

"Agreed. I would like nothing better than to continue working with you."

They shook hands.

Rafe turned to her, still clasping her limbs that felt stronger and more awake with every passing moment. "Remember what Torm said about the Ardemeon? It is a matter of life and death that you find it. Seek out the Elisai, the wise ones. They live on the dark side of the world where few people have ever traveled. They can show you the way to the Ardemeon. They will also help channel your mind control."

"My mind control…" Vala realized the photographic memory she had relied upon had been repressed inklings of the mental manipulation abilities she now possessed. Abilities that Luiximor had once held and used to abuse her.

"Don't forget me." Corina stuck up her hand. "I'm coming with you. Let's find Ardomen or whatever the Helel it is. And…badass hair, by the way! If you ever want to sell it, we could get piles of equi. Just saying?—"

Vala turned to her, locking eyes. "Are you sure you want to come?"

She read Corina's response in her mind. Meh, I'll become a pirate later. Adventurers have even more fun. Maybe I'll drag Ericc along. Wonder where that poor man's at right now?

"This may not be much of a fun adventure. Things will get crazy…for you and Ericc."

Corina made a face. "You can read my thoughts now? Great. Try that on me again and I'll just think of the nastiest, grossest things alive. Sweaty armpits, spiders, and moldy sandwiches."

Vala smiled. A monstrous roar startled her and the others looked up for the source, instinctively knowing the guttural cry that was less than human. The dragon! She gazed up at the dark, bat-like shape circling in the blue skies high above. It was a new day and a new age. She had a reborn body and a mind all her own. Rafe was right. She must focus on reclaiming her runes in the Dynn and before anyone else. They were inextricably linked to the empire's future now, which made her extremely valuable and…well, wanted by probably everyone in the world and not for the best of reasons. She would kill before anyone ever controlled her. Ever again.

She looked for the prince and found he stood alone. The Sanuri were gone. Vanished into the Dynn , she assumed. And he too seemed ready to depart.

"Rafe, I thought you would come with me?" She wondered at how distressed she sounded.

His calm eyes assessed her and she felt once more, that unfathomable loneliness swelling dark and strong within him. "Now that you are no longer in peril, I must go back to my realm and protect my people. We need to become strangers for a while in this world."

A painful memory stabbed her mind. One day, we may fuck as strangers or perhaps enemies, which would be horrible …how much of her future did he know?

Rafe turned to Joe. "Treat her well if you value your life. I have watched you over the years. I know you had a hand in her childhood torment. You may seek redemption for your former deeds but one sign of treachery from you and I will reach across the worlds and kill you myself."

Joe only shrugged. " I am not the enemy, as you well know."

Vala thought the emphasis Joe placed on those words to be odd.

But Rafe no longer paid him attention. He took Vala's hand and kissed the palm with singular, ferocious passion.

His words echoed in her mind even as he released her and stepped away. Luiximor was a jealous god who deserved to die for trying to destroy one of us to extend his already spent lifespan. It was your time to replace him and he knew the eclipse was to be his death. He tried to trick the runes. He deserved his fate. Whether he will ever be reborn is a matter for the stars to decide. But now that he is gone, you will come for me. It is in your nature to seek my death and I must be ready.

One of us? Battle? She thought back to him, her heart pounding in shock. Perhaps some great truth would illuminate the true meaning behind this strange set of events entrapping her. A truth that stood before her as a cloaked and hooded prince. A prince who still wore a mask. Faster than her eyes could follow, a great, black Dynn opening swelled out around him, the blast from the other world whipping up the dirt and snow in the courtyard like a gale.

"Wait! I don't understand." She cried out.

He turned to face her and her mind fell apart, a veil dropping from her eyes. It was HIM. The man who had shown her the opening code that she had used to bring about her parent's deaths. HE was the hooded man who had found her in the wreckage of her home so many hours later, soothing her with strange words while her parents lay dead. His eyes glittered in the darkness of the Dynn and she saw with a horrible shock that they were no longer blue but rather burned immortal silver.

He had removed his final mask and it was made of silver fire.

It could not be true. Luiximor was the only god alive and she had destroyed him. She was the new immortal in the world. This was just the Thevian prince. A royal assassin sent to fetch her to his country for political use and who had fallen in love with her. He had known her in another life but he had always been the same.

She had been so blind.

He had been there during her darkest moment. He had given her knowledge and let her abuse it, destroying those she held dear and sentencing her to a hard, terrible life of pain and regret.

Not that it mattered at all to him.

His gaze shone silver like her eyes. Silver like the hair that curled upon his forehead in shimmering, icy waves and matched the strands that flowed down her back. Here before her in all his magnificence and glory, stood a god. He obviously cared less about whether she once had a family or who her friends were. A strange, instinctual rage flared within her. There had always been another god lurking in the shadows, waiting to condemn her. Rafe had always known she was a goddess and he had tried to trick her, control her, and even kidnap her away under the guise of love.

She burned with a deep, raging fury at his overwhelming deceit.

He smiled but the expression was flat. I see that your senses have finally awoken, Bright Eyes. Luiximor was not the god you must fear. I am. I am the dark god of the Dynn and I have returned to claim your future as mine. Come and find me when you are ready, for only through me can you hope to regain your runes. And with that, his hands made a swift gesture, the Dynn collapsed shut upon his dark form, and he vanished.

Vala fell to her knees, her mind breaking into a thousand shards. She had trusted him with everything. In return, he had caused her to destroy her family, then toyed with her mind and stolen her runes for himself the moment she was free of Luiximor's control. He hadn't come to save her. He had only used her. Through the hatred, rage, and darkness that consumed her, one single thought revealed itself and with intensifying clarity.

She took a deep breath. She had killed one god. Why should she fear another? Rafe had deceived her for the last time. When they faced each other again, whether in this world or the Dynn, she would force him to return her runes. And if he resisted, she would not be afraid to fight him. Kill him, if necessary.

She squared her shoulders. She had a lot of work to do.