Total pages in book: 27
Estimated words: 25521 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 128(@200wpm)___ 102(@250wpm)___ 85(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 25521 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 128(@200wpm)___ 102(@250wpm)___ 85(@300wpm)
But as for the bad news...
Eros and I were swept into the portal alongside them, and I end up breaking even more bones as I crash into the ground.
Every part of my body screams in torment, and I nearly sob out loud when I try to move. I think...I think something's wrong with my spine.
(oh god)
Pain rips into me as I turn my head to look around, and that's when I see him—-
(noooooo!)
His fur is now completely bathed in blood, and one of the creatures almost succeeds in chomping off his head—-
Head!
My head!
My hairpin!
Oh sweet Greek heavens, thank God, thank God—-
I finally remember that little trinket I bought when Eros and I visited Athena's temple, and my head spins with excruciating pain as I force myself to lift my arm. Tears run down my cheeks when I finally have the hairpin between my fingers, but it's also at that moment I see my beast start to stagger—-
(oh God, oh God)
While I'm only supposed to prick my finger with the hairpin, the sight of my beaten-up god is more than I can bear, and all I can think of is blood—-
I need blood to save my god, and so I just jab my finger as hard as I can—-
Just fucking jab it like a needle puncturing a balloon, and my finger turns into a fountain of flesh as thick, dark blood comes spurting out.
Pain explodes in my mind, but I don't give a damn because this is exactly what I need.
Since I hate repeating past mistakes, I now know how to call upon the gods, and with the divine, an offering must always be made in the form of a sacrifice.
The more I bleed, the more my voice is heard, and so I'm able to scream inside my mind—-
Anteros! Erma! Himeros!
I scream their names with all my might.
Help, please—-
We are here.
Sobs of relief rock my body even as clouds of dust make me start coughing. I realize dazedly that the horses are making their escape, and it's almost as if they've been commanded to retreat by an unseen master.
Let me heal you, little sister.
I recognize Erma's voice, and as his powers seep through my skin and start repairing what's been damaged and broken, something else captures my attention—-
(that scent)
It threads through the air, faint but distinct, and my entire body goes completely still.
If the flowers have more to say, I'm still all ears, and the first step in unriddling their message is to identify what scent it is that's currently making my nose itch.
It's sweet...like vanilla.
But different.
The scent grows stronger, and I dig frantically through all of my lessons on floromancy until finally, the answer comes to me, and goosebumps pop all over my skin.
Birdsfoot trefoil.
Man had long renamed these blooms as the cursed clover, for instead of luck it brings the promise of revenge, and as soon as its meaning becomes clear in my mind, that's when I spy a cloaked figure lurking in the shadows.
Tall. Svelte. And somehow familiar.
I know I can be wrong about this, but is that figure...Isabella?
Chapter Six
Eros is still unconscious when we make it to Coriander House. It's the closest place that the brothers deem safe enough for my god to rest and heal, and it's also how I know that the portal Eros and I were sucked into...have taken us all the way to the Old World.
The thought alone is mind-boggling, but I have a hard time making myself care. While my brain knows that Eros is finally out of danger, my heart refuses to stop hammering as I watch the other gods lay his bloodied figure on the bed.
A messenger knocks on our door, informing us that quasi members of the Sub Rosa have arrived, and Anteros excuses himself before leaving the room.
Erma squeezes my hand. "He'll be alright, little sister."
I know the redhaired god hasn't any reason to lie about this, but...
"Why were you able to heal me so quickly?" I ask shakily. "But Eros..."
"You healed easily because your wounds were of a physical nature." It's Himeros who answers me, his voice gentle like always. "Eros, however..."
I can sense them hesitate, and I hate how it makes me feel weak and helpless. "You don't have to sugarcoat anything for me. Just tell me the truth. Please."
"Our powers are also our life essence," Erma explains reluctantly, "and Eros nearly emptied himself of it."
Is he saying my god almost died...because of me? The thought has me reeling, and I'm not even aware of how I've ended up literally swaying in my feet until Erma grabs hold of my arms.
"Careful now," the god cautions as he helps me regain my balance. "Are you sure you're okay?"
No. I don't think I'm okay.
It's what I wish to say but refuse to, since the words will only make me appear weaker than I already am.