39. Eternity

The Present

The High Goddess of Fate was how Naia remembered—like a floating piece of silk.

Leaves on the trees crystallized. The bark glittered like ice as she approached Naia. Hair like waves of gold, decorated with feathers, falling down her shoulders. Her skin shimmered like it was made of the finest jade crystal, and her power emanated with each step, trailing a delicate, sparkling dust.

Everyone, including Theon and Solaris, were unconscious.

Naia quickly located Akane, who had miraculously held onto Ash through the fall. He was secure in his thicket of blankets, fast asleep like the others.Naia let out the locked breath in her diaphragm with relief spreading in her chest. Thank gods.

Her eyes jumped to Ronin's sleeping form, fixing on the measured rise and fall of his chest, reassuring herself he was still alive.

She had no faith in coincidences, and her intuition told her Lady Ruelle's presence was with purpose.

The High Goddess stood as a bright, ethereal being over her. "It has been a pure pleasure to watch your fate unravel, Lady Naia. You've grown into such a beautiful goddess."

Naia bowed her chin, avoiding looking directly at the High Goddess as a form of respect, and said, "Excuse my straightforwardness, Lady Ruelle, but why did you save Ronin?"

Ruelle laughed, the sound like a delightful rush of wind chimes. "Lady Naia, I did no such thing. You spared his life."

Naia jerked her head up, mouth agape.

Ruelle's smile was as radiant as a ray of sunlight. "He was the first to declare aloud he worships you."

For the power of all deities to flourish, worshipers were essential.

"Just as you proclaimed your refusal to be separated any longer," Ruelle added.

Naia shook her head, dazed. "What are you saying, Lady Ruelle?"

Ruelle leaned forward, her gilded strands slipping past her shoulders. "Lady Naia, I am saying you blessed Mr. Kahale with eternal life."

Naia gasped.

The moment came rushing back to her—right before she went into labor, watching Ronin while he slept, when she made her eternal vow and kissed him on the forehead.

Naia's fingers came up to her lips.

I have a… power?

She hardly believed it, but her dormant power was the only explanation for Ronin's survival. Mortals did not know of her, and none had ever declared their praises to her—until Ronin.

Tears pricked her eyes and an elated, breathy laugh slipped free.

Of Everlasting Love. Her father's gentle voice resounded in her mind, chiseling a melancholic ache down her middle. Only she couldn't help but smile at the memory, and the fact he had been right.She'd a power in her all along.

"Wade through your tears, Lady Naia, and be merry." Ruelle wiped the corner of Naia's eye with the back of her finger. "For you are the first of your kind—the High Goddess of Eternity."