10. Chapter Ten

"Anellah," Aeryn demands, glaring at Cas and me. Fuck this bitch. I will not be intimidated by someone who abused their child. Nell may not give the details, but her reaction any time her mother is brought up tells me everything I need to know. "Who are these two?" I clench my jaw, fighting hard to keep my mouth shut like Nell asked.

I look to the other gods as they stiffen when Aeryn's voice darkens. The one who noticed us—Cyran—shakes her head and focuses on her sorid. Hale doesn't move, watching as Nell slowly turns around to face her mother again. His long, brunette hair sticks to his skin from the rain. His eyes are nearly black, though it's clear he's watching his daughter as if he longs to hold her. If I were him, I would never allow Aeryn to talk to her child this way. But I suppose being the God of Balance means you need to choose your battles carefully.

Watching the sorids calms my nerves. They are all gods in their own way—each of them matching well with their owner. Aside from Menna, the canid Bastian was forced to bring instead of his bonded.

"Mother." I refocus on my bond and wonder how the fuck she lived without showing her true self for so many years. Her stiff body, unfeeling eyes, and monotone voice do not make up the goddess I'm in love with. No, this is the facade she wears in front of the others. "This is Casmir Vaintera, Prince of Anloria. And his second in command, Emrys Vaintera." Warmth spreads through the thrumming inside my chest. Nell may not have an actual last name other than what the human world gave her, but I hope one day soon I can call her a Vaintera, as well.

"And you did not think it important to introduce—" Aeryn halts, truly looking at Cas and me for the first time. Her fists clench so tight her entire hand goes white. She begins visibly trembling, swallowing loudly. The tension across the rest of the gods pulls taut, no one daring to move or speak. "You stupid, foolish girl. I taught you better than this." Her voice is unnervingly low.

Our bond takes a deep, deep breath before attempting to block the prince and me from Aeryn's view. "Taught me better than what, mother?" My lips quirk at the venom dripping from each of her words. I nearly groan. The way her fury makes me want to shove her against the wall behind me and fuck her hard while the others watch…I don't think she'd like that, however, so I keep still.

"You had one rule. One. Rule. And you still chose to trigger the bond? Knowing how important it was not to?" Nell chuckles, and I bite my lip as she steps closer to Aeryn. So close there's only a breath between them.

"I didn't choose shit. Andras held me prisoner for the last twenty-five years, raping and torturing me for his own amusement. He blocked my memories and forged an entire life for me that never existed. I had no idea who I was when I met them, nor did I have a clue about soul bonds. It was not a fucking choice.

"But you know what?" She leans forward, the challenge clear in her stance. "Even if I did have my memories, I would have chosen them." Pride fills my chest, and I cannot stop the smug smile that Aeryn grimaces at.

"This is unacceptable. You know what will happen if you separate from them now."

Nell feigns ignorance, scrunching her nose. "I don't believe I do, no. Why don't you enlighten me, mother, seeing as you seem to know everything about soul bonds." This goddess will be the death of me. She is too perfect for this world.

Aeryn narrows her eyes, and if I didn't know any better, I would think there was smoke coming out of her large head. "We will discuss this later. In private."

A predatory smile crests Nell's face. "I don't think we will." She glares at her mother for a moment longer before stepping around her and walking to the others. Casmir follows, greeting everyone politely like the dutiful prince he is.

When the others' attention is elsewhere, I close the few feet between myself and Aeryn, who stands like a statue in the same place her daughter left her.

She tenses slightly when I speak, otherwise showing no sign that my presence startled her. "Welcome to Anloria, Aeryn. I'd say it's a pleasure to have you, but you know it's not." That gets her attention. She swivels in place until her front faces mine, and I smile warmly.

"Who are you to speak to a god in such a manner?"

I chuckle under my breath, lowering my voice, "I will not hesitate to end your existence if you speak to my bond that way again."

"You dare threaten a goddess?" she snarls, her lip curling so far it causes rain to pool at the top.

"There is only one goddess who exists in this realm…and I'll do whatever I please to her." I wink, stepping back and holding out my arm for said goddess to place herself under. I give her mother a hard look before leading Nell and Cas back toward the city and away from those who wish to keep us apart.