33. Xax

Chapter 33

Xax

M y mother was back. Her gaze met mine, but I didn't know how to read the somber expression on her face.

The sad feelings I'd had when my parents died rushed through me. Was I going to suffer loss again?

I tightened my grip on Amanda's hand, and she squeezed back. I hadn't asked her what she'd want to do if the gods said she must be with someone else, and it was too late now.

"There you are," Digaray said. "Come." She took both our hands and led us through the large group. They moved back, creating a space in the center.

Tribon waited there already, and I didn't like his sneer. Was he that confident in his position with the gods?

"What do the island gods say?" He strode over to stand next to Digaray, his proprietary gaze sliding down Amanda's frame. She wasn't an object to be claimed. She was an individual and more than capable of making her own decision about who she wanted to be with.

But I'd agreed to Digaray traveling to speak with the gods. I'd told myself that they'd already given me the sign, that there was no way they'd say anything but that Amanda and I belonged together.

"Yes, what did they say?" I asked.

Amanda's face remained stoic. I couldn't read her thoughts.

"The gods spoke to me," my mother said. I didn't like the way sympathy filled her eyes. And I didn't like the way she sighed. And I hated how she took both Amanda and Tribon's hands and tried to link them.

"The gods have said that Tribon should be Amanda's mate," she said firmly.