“Just who do you think I am?” I gestured to the Death Goddess, his mother. “She has my thudajé, but don’t think I have handed you my reins. I have not.”

“Teraeth, she has made up her mind.”

I paused. “His name is Teraeth?”

“Yes.”

I chewed on my lower lip while regarding Teraeth. He seemed young enough. Not much older than myself.

I turned back to Thaena. “Is he claimed yet? He’s lovely.”

She blinked again, looking once more surprised, while Teraeth stared at me in mute shock. Then Thaena smiled. “Why … what are you offering for him?”

“Well, you do still owe me a boon.”

“A very good point.”

“Mother!” Teraeth’s scandalized tone banished any possible doubts I might have had about their relationship. He was mortified. His mother was embarrassing him.

Perfect. Adorable.

Oh, I wanted him.

I spun the illusionary Khoreval in my hands. “I think I will be fetching a great many souls for you before I’m done, great lord, and I shall begin tonight.” I had no idea what courtship rites existed for gods, or the offspring of gods, but by my people’s customs, I had stated my intentions. I didn’t worry about his father—Thaena’s idorrá rose greater than anyone she might have taken to her bed. My bargaining for her son would be with her.

“Mother, you cannot mean to sell me.” His tone teased, but something sharper than laughter laced the edges. Something darker. Doubt. A question lurked in that statement, an ugly question.

“Am I not Justice?” Thaena answered. “Would you not deserve it if I did?”

And suddenly she didn’t laugh or smile. This had become serious, and I didn’t understand why.

Teraeth glanced at me, and those beautiful green eyes filled to overflowing with regret and guilt.

“What’s going on here? What do I need to understand to make this clear to me?”

Thaena and Teraeth stared at each other for another heartbeat before he shuddered and looked away. Then Thaena turned to me. “We don’t always escape the sins of past lifetimes. But if you like my son and you win his heart, then he’s yours and you’ll find no protest from me. In the meantime, good hunting, my child.”

“Teraeth?”

He looked up from where he’d been staring at the ground. “Yes?”

I tipped my head to him. “We’ll see each other again.”

Teraeth’s smile turned wry. “Don’t I have a say in that?”

“Always. Until then—” I saluted Thaena and strode into the woods, searching for demons.

17: TIGA PASS

Jorat Dominion, Quuros Empire. Three days since two women became the de facto heads of House D’Mon

“Please tell me you’re not married to Teraeth,” Kihrin said.

“Technically—” Brother Qown started to say as Ninavis handed him a cup of coffee.