With this, the glass reseals around the tube. Dairfyn waves and then everything blurs. I scream as Ilian wraps his arms securely around me.

We’re going so fast that the skin on my face folds back. I’m concerned that neither of us is wearing seatbelts, but the speed at which we’re moving suctions me down.

I couldn’t move if I tried.

Everything is pitch black as we move away from the Dagon city. One second, we’re moving what feels like a million miles per hour, and then we’re stopped.

It’s still dark, and the only thing visible to me is the glow of Ilian’s pink gaze. Scooping me up, he steps out of the cart and walks through the obscurity.

His feet crunch like he’s stepping on rocks, and I can’t figure out what’s going on. Eventually, a spec of light appears on the horizon, getting bigger and brighter as Ilian carries me.

It’s an opening, and when I glance back, I realize we’re in a cave. It opens to the surface of what I assume is the island of Atlasov.

The sun is setting, but I’m thankful for the light. As my eyes adjust, I see a figure in the distance turn and glide toward us.

They’re similar in appearance to Ilian, except without horns. Their fur is white and their eyes are a golden glow.

Their flowing purple robes flutter in the wind, and a strange magnetism seems to illuminate them.

“Welcome, my children. Have you come to worship me?”

My breath catches as I realize who she is.

We found Aisyth.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Ilian

“My goddess, you humble us with your presence. Thank you for allowing us to find you—although I’m concerned it was too easy.”

Next to me, Zhuliya hisses. “Ilian! You’re going to offend her.”

Aisyth laughs, the tinkling sound echoing in the vastness around us. “He doesn’t offend me, dear one. He’s worried, mostly for you.”

“For me? What do you mean?”

“Ilian thinks because it was easy to find me that something terrible will now happen. What he doesn’t realize is that I already set challenges on the course of your journey to me.”

“Us trying not to touch one another?” my mate blurts.

The Ithaquan goddess claps in delight. “Oh no no no, but wasn’t it wonderful when you did?”

Zhuliya and I share a look, and I answer Aisyth cautiously. “Yes, but what other challenges did we face?”

“Aside from crossing over the Siberian tundra together, you helped an old crone who needed food and shelter.

Likewise, your mate was kind to another woman on the train as well as saved a Dagon child, thus creating ties between her people and the Kueeng.”

Aisyth waves her hand, at once becoming the crone I saw back in the hotel at Berdsk. Then the Jewish savta from the train, and lastly, shrinking into the white splendor of a small Dagon.

“It was you!” I exclaim in wonder.

The goddess transforms back into herself. “But of course! Those who seek me out must prove themselves worthy first, and you two are more than worthy. Feel free to begin your worship.”

I clear my throat. “It’s not that we don’t wish to worship you, but rather, we have…a favor to ask.”

“Hmm, well, I am quite magnanimous, but what you seek is an affront to the very gift I’ve bestowed upon you both.”

Crap, she knows.

“Please, my goddess, your gift is amazing, but it’s not one that Zhuliya picked consciously. It’s not fair to her to be mated to me when she didn’t expressly give her consent.”

Aisyth runs a hand along her bony jaw, stroking one of the spikes jutting out. “In this, you are right.

It’s not fair to take her free will. Zhuliya The Brave, do you wish to dissolve your bond with my Ithaqua?”

I hold my breath, already knowing the answer, but still hoping she might say something else. The silence stretches on for an eternity before she answers.

“Yes, if it’s what Ilian wants.”

A scowl twists my lips, and I hate that she’s left the choice to me when we both know it’s hers to make.

“Ilian?” Aisyth prompts.

“I want what you want.”

The goddess sighs. “You two are exhausting. Make up your minds, my time is precious!”

“Yes! Dissolve the bond.”

Agony rips through me, but whether it’s from Zhuliya or myself, I can’t tell. We’re both miserable in this moment, and I wonder if we’re making a mistake.

“Very well, but you must complete two tasks first.”

Inwardly, I groan. I knew this wasn’t going to be easy, but Zhuliya is tired and I want nothing more than to put this behind us both.

“What tasks?” Zhuliya asks.

“Just two very simple ones. Get a lock of Ulyen’s fur and a tear from Ekana. These are needed to create the potion to dissolve the inked imprint on your back.”

I stare, unsure if Aisyth was being facetious or not when she suggested either of these tasks is ‘simple’.

“How do we, ah, get these things?” my mate wonders.

“You ask for them, of course. Nothing is free, but both these gods feed off certain emotions. If you provide ones powerful enough, they will give you something in exchange.”