13. Chapter Thirteen

JAX

Morning light spills through the broad windows of our home, painting the mismatched cushions and rugged stone walls of the living room with a golden glow. I lean against the wall, arms crossed, my gaze lingering on the entrance to the bathroom. Today's the day Rose and Kieran rejoin the rest of the world. Just really fucking bummed Chaos arrived here before I could partake in this morning's bedroom festivities. But hey, at least I got to shampoo her hair while she cooed at the scalp massage I gave her.

My hair remains wet—deliberately so. I skipped the drying spell to stress one very important fact: we were the ones bathing with Rose, not Chaos. It's a quiet assertion of our place and his exclusion.

As if on cue, the door swings open and there they are—Kieran and Rose, looking like they've walked straight out of a monsoon. Rose's hair is a glorious, wet mess, a vivid contrast to her flushed cheeks and wide eyes. She glances around, her gaze flitting nervously. When it lands on Chaos, standing tall and unnervingly calm across the room, a noticeable tremor runs through her.

He holds out a stupid chocolate chip cookie for her and her eyes light up as she takes it from him and crosses to the couch.

I find myself wishing for simpler times—times before gods in the living room and talk of ascension.

Chaos, as usual, is a picture of divine arrogance. His dark hair frames his chiseled features that are too perfect, too ethereal. And the stupid little bracelet around his wrist? Is he trying to be cute? That he's this all-powerful god teaching us like we're children?

His eyes fixate on Rose with an intensity that borders on obsession. I clench my fists, feeling a familiar surge of irritation. The god of all gods, here at Sanctuary, ready to upend our lives.

"Good morning, everyone," Chaos announces, the timbre of it resonant, filling the space with more than just sound—a solid force that demands attention. "I trust you've all rested well." He smirks, satisfied eyes roving over every inch of my mate.

The usual chatter that marks our mornings is conspicuously absent as everyone adjusts to the weight of his presence. Mekhi shifts uncomfortably beside me, and I catch a flicker of annoyance in his hazel eyes. We're on the same page, as usual—neither of us can stand the god's grandstanding. Though for him, it might have to do with the fact he's just a witch—for now—and being in Chaos' presence is suffocating.

The god, as always, commands the space, his presence as imposing as the Rexunan mountain peaks. He's laid out scrolls and ancient texts across the coffee table, each page brimming with arcane knowledge and rites I can barely fathom.

Theo, always greedy for knowledge, pours through the books strewn across the coffee table as though the texts would disappear before he can devour them all.

Rose looks uncomfortable. Okay, objectively it's less discomfort, and more that she's flustered. It's painful to watch. The last thing I want is for her to feel cornered, especially by him. Apparently, when in the presence of your soul bond, especially one that isn't solidified, it's in one's nature to seek them out as though she remains caught in his orbit, warring with the instinct to seek out every ounce of affection she needs from him while simultaneously denying her own feelings and needs to protect the peace of her mates. I loathe seeing her experience discomfort nearly as much as I distrust and dislike this god we're forced to contend with.

"Let's get to the heart of why we're here," Chaos continues, his attention never wavering from Rose. "This summer is going to be transformative for you all. We're going to prepare you for ascension—turning you from mere fae into beings of a higher existence. Gods, in fact. And I will be your guide."

The audacity of the statement hangs between us, austere and challenging. I exchange a look with Mekhi; his jaw is set, his thoughts no doubt mirroring my own. Chaos is pushing us into uncharted waters, steering Rose into a destiny that intertwines dangerously with his own.

I stalk over to the couch to squeeze in next to Rose. I don't care if it looks like I'm pissing all over my territory. This overgrown god is part of our lives, but I don't have to like it.

I can't help the clench of my jaw when Chaos smiles at her, a smile that's too knowing, too intimate. It's a reminder of the power he holds, not just as a god, but over her heart. And despite my own reservations—no, because of them—I know this summer's curriculum will change everything. Not just for Rose, but for all of us tied to her fate.

"As we begin," Chaos says, pulling a small device from his pocket and projecting images of ancient texts and celestial charts into the air, "we'll cover the fundamentals of divine essence, the architecture of cosmic forces, and the rituals of godhood. Your education in the academy was just the prelude. Here, we start the real work."

Theo perks up at that. He's always tinkering with things, figuring out how to make things work, and as a griffin fae, he feels the arcane call more than any one of us. I can hardly begrudge him for it. I'm territorial and hoard treasure. Our nature can't be helped.

"This journey," Chaos concludes, turning to include all of us in his sweeping gaze, "will not be easy. It will test you in ways nothing has before. But remember, at the end of this path lies not just enlightenment, but power." He smirks. "And true immortality. No feathers required."

We each exchange glances. I'll never have to live in a world without either of them, ever again. I can see it registering on each of their faces. It brings a certain kind of relief that can't be put into words.

The relief is short-lived, however, as Chaos continues speaking, his voice echoing ominously off the stone walls of our sanctuary. "But understand this: ascension does not come without sacrifice. You will have to give up parts of yourselves, lose identity to gain power and eternity. I'm hoping with so many of us forming the foundation of power, side effects will be minimal. Provided you all survive ascension."

Rose looks at him then, a tiny frown creasing her forehead. Her eyes are round and vulnerable; blue sea glass being tossed in the raging storm of Chaos' words. It's not fear that I see there, but a kind of deep hurt at the thought of losing anything more than she already has.

Barely noticing my own movements, I reach out, gently cupping her cheek. I feel her tremble against my touch, and without a word, I pull her closer to me.

The room falls silent at the gesture, and for a moment, we're lost in our own little world, away from the looming threats of godhood and sacrifices.

Chaos clears his throat, breaking the silence. "Your bonds—your love for each other—is your strength," he says, his voice grating against my nerves. His gaze latches onto Rose again, a deep longing embedded within it. "That's why you'll ascend at Sanctuary—a place where you're most comfortable and in your element."

Rose breaks away from my grasp and stands up. She turns to face him squarely. "I'll watch the worlds burn before I let anything happen to them. Fuck magic." She crosses the living room to stand in front of him. "Promise me, you'll bring them back if something goes wrong." Her voice breaks. "Promise me, Chaos."

Chaos looks at her vacantly, his lips pressed into a tight line. "I …" he starts, then stops. His eyes are stormy, the pupils dilating as he locks gazes with her. He wrestles with the question for a moment, and then in a quiet voice that reverberates through the hushed room, he says, "I promise."

A crackle of raw magic zips through the air like a bolt of lightning—a fae promise. If you break it, you die, though I don't know if that applies to Chaos as a god. I've learned that promises with gods always come with clauses.

And never in our favor.