Kai’s thumb traced his sword’s textured pommel. He didn’t draw the blade. “A little jumpy, aren’t you?”
Fast reactions. A slight movement toward his weapon alerted them. Not bad. Their training showed.
Though he wouldn’t have telegraphed his intent if he actually attacked. He’d teleport, dark blade materialising mid-strike. Keeping the sword sheathed on his hip was misdirection—bait to focus their attention.
“Not at all,” Alex replied, “just prepared.”
Vorn sneered. “Who knows what a dog like you will do next?”
Kai shrugged and gestured to Alira. “My next move depends on the Lady.”
She remained silent, weighing her options.
Her answer would stay his blade or free it. He kept his expression neutral, but sweat slicked his palms beneath his gloves. Was proposing too presumptuous?
Maybe springing a political marriage on her wasn’t the best idea. A heads-up could’ve smoothed things over, but there hadn’t been much opportunity while carving through abominations.
Thing is, he didn’t wanna get married. This was pragmatic. A political move to legitimise his rule, nothing more. Love wasn’t a factor.
His palms kept sweating.
If she rejected the proposal, was she rejecting the offer, or him? It shouldn’t matter. But it did.
Her support would aid his plans, but he could move forward without it. It’d be easier if she managed the lands when he left, but the Demons could handle it. Either way, things could go wrong in his absence.
The die was cast. He couldn’t retract the proposal. Best to wait for her response. No point attacking before she gave him a clear ‘no’, but he was ready to strike if necessary.
If she accepted, the Nivisaras would live—free to scheme against him. No good deed went unpunished.
Alira’s gaze locked with his. “Are you sure you want to marry me?”
Vorn frowned. “You can’t be considering this?”
“Quiet,” Alex said. “You know how Alira is—don’t give her something to rebel against.”
Vorn clenched his jaw and gave Alex a stiff nod.
Kai shrugged. “Best option we have.”
She broke eye contact, staring into the distance. “I hardly know you…”
True. They’d met in the trial and fought together for a few days. Not enough time to assess her suitability as a wife. But he wasn’t in the market for a companion to make breakfast and bear his children. She could fight. Her political position was advantageous.
Good enough for now.
“But we know what we want,” he said.
“A marriage could benefit us both. I get access to your Earth assets, you get access to my Darklands connections. Together, we rebuild and compete with the other Houses.” She stroked her chin. “But you’ve misunderstood something.”
His brow furrowed. “What’s that?”
“You’ll need a True Name first.”
“A True Name?”
“Noble House names aren’t chosen on a whim. The gods grant True Names to powerful or pious followers.”
“I can’t use yours?”
She shook her head. “My father would need to approve your induction into our House. For the privilege, he’d force you into a soul bond…”
“Not ideal.”
“Exactly. But if you earn a True Name, nobody can object to our union.”
His eyes widened. “You accept my proposal?”
“If you can get a god to honour you with a True Name, yes…on a purely practical basis.”
Earn a True Name from a god? Sounded like a big ask.
“What’s pure about this?”
She smiled. “Our shared pragmatism.”
He mirrored her expression. Maybe she was more suited to be his wife than he’d imagined.
Anger bloomed across Vorn’s features. Alex’s face was a mask of resignation and weariness.
Kharon’s deep voice cut through his thoughts.
“Why would he care? More importantly, why should I care what he thinks?” he whispered.
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Alira frowned. “Who?”
Kai tapped his temple. “One minute. I need to clear something up with my brother.”
She nodded. The two soldiers looked on in confusion.
“It’s strange for the bastard who abandoned me to start caring about my love life.”
Death God’s been watching me?
Was that better or worse than abandoning him? He’d watched Kai struggle and let him die without lifting a finger to help.
Kai had heard of tough love, but this was absurd.
His Father had granted him two Gifts without the usual exploitative contract, but he’d surely pay a hidden cost for the privilege.
The prospect of meeting Death God soon was…ominous. What did that mean? Why now?
“Everything he does serves his plots. Forgive me if my gratitude’s limited.” He shook his head. “You haven’t told me why I should care.”
Kharon’s chuckle spread through his mind.
His brother was right—he didn’t care for Death God’s blessing unless it aided him. Or if the consequences of proceeding without it harmed him. A reasonable stance. That didn’t mean he was like his Father. It meant he was logical.
He scoffed. “Are you gonna tell me how this helps me? Or did you invade my mind to waste my time?”
Death God would give him exactly what he needed to move forward with his plan. Convenient. Too convenient.
“What’s the price?”
Kai frowned. He’d pay the price soon enough? A shiver ran up his spine. Did he have a choice?
How could he oppose a god?
If only Saints and dedicated servants could get True Names, how the hell did Alira expect him to earn one? Was she leading him on? Or did she expect this outcome?
He couldn’t be sure Death God would approve. But a little political marriage couldn’t be that big of a deal.
“What are the chances Father gives me his blessing? And the price…”
His frown deepened. “Divine Covenant?” Alira shot a glance at him.
Kharon laughed.
“Not exactly.” He assumed his personality was a plus, but the primary appeal was building a strategic alliance across the realms.
“What does that mean?” It sounded like a special kind of soul bond…
“She’ll get…” He glanced at Alira. Their eyes met before he looked away. He lowered his voice. “My Gift?”
Had this been Alira’s plan all along? She’d been interested in Space God’s Gift since they met. She was the one who’d suggested a partnership…
He ran fingers through his dreadlocks. Her deception both impressed and irked him.
If anything, this made her a more appealing partner.
He still gained what he wanted from the marriage. The only difference was Alira got the better deal—access to Gifts of Space and Death beat Ice any day. But Death God’s negotiation would probably reduce her benefits. She might gain some minor version of his Gifts, but he’d gain some ice control. He’d expand his combat capabilities without losing anything.
Though his Father had better negotiate the ability to create ice into the bargain. Needing to store ice for control would make the Gift useless.
Despite the blow to his ego, he didn’t hate the outcome.
The effects of her Curse were on full display—she didn’t lose. She wanted this from the start, and everything led them here. Every lost argument, every piece of ground given, the false apprehension to their marriage—all setup for this moment.
He’d lowered his guard, thinking he could control her. Thinking he’d use her for his plans. But she was biding her time, waiting to strike.
He suppressed a laugh. Brilliant.
Kai conceded the loss. She won this round. The only path was forward.
He’d need to meet Death God before they could proceed with their Divine Covenant. After twenty-one years of absence, the prospect was surreal. He’d only seen his Father once—a hallucinated version manifested as his greatest fear.
But if Kharon said they’d meet—they would.
His brother may have dodged questions and given him vague answers—the bastard still hadn’t named the price Kai would have to pay—but he’d never lied.
The meeting would happen on Death God’s schedule, not his. No use worrying about it. Better to focus on things he could control, like killing Renzo and taking over the Anguivar family.
But he couldn’t leave Nivis Village without insurance. The Nivisaras would scheme the moment he left. Alira might act against his interests too. It made more sense for her to work with him, but who knew what she was up to?
She’d proven her cunning—he wouldn’t underestimate her again.
He needed to solidify his position before marriage made it official. The Nivisaras had to understand the new order of things. One option—a show of force.
There was a thin line between going overboard and showing them he meant business. He had to leave no room for dissent. He had to reveal his cards.
Kai locked eyes with Alira. He nodded before shifting his gaze toward the soldiers. “Alira’s accepted my proposal, and I’ll soon return with a True Name from a Fundamental God.” He gestured to their surroundings. “Since you can’t protect yourselves, we’ll do it for you. Nivis Village and Nivisara Castle are ours. Alira will assume official leadership of your House after our wedding. In the meantime, I’ll unofficially cut down any dissenters.”
Alex sagged. Vorn’s face darkened.
He twisted the knife. “Why don’t you bring the news to the castle? Then cower behind the gates like you did when intruders massacred the village?”
Truth was, they couldn’t leave the Church’s Domain without abominations descending on them—not until the sun rose. But he had a message to send, and it’d play better if they threw the first punch.
Vorn snarled, teeth bared. “You dare?”
Alex’s arm moved to bar his path, but Vorn slipped past. Alex’s gauntlets slid off Vorn’s armour like he’d grasped at a river. Vorn unsheathed his sword and charged forward.
A water-based Gift—unsurprising. The armour was likely water masquerading as steel. Limited range of control—otherwise he’d attack from distance. The armour could be dangerous if he got close. Fighting someone with shifting, attacking armour was a pain.
But it wasn’t enough to stand against Kai. He’d kill the hotheaded bastard in moments if that were his goal.
Lucky for Vorn, Kai had a point to make.
A mental command thrummed through countless soul bonds. Demons erupted from shadows in every direction. Glowing red eyes locked onto Vorn. He stumbled, then froze.
Botis stood in front of Kai, spear pointed at the frightened soldier.
Alex’s eyes widened.
Vorn trembled, face falling. “D-Demons…you consort with Demons!”
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