Bound To The Goddess

THE NEW GODDESS

CHAPTER 20: THE NEW GODDESS

He rested his forehead against hers. Just for a second. That second was too long.

"I felt you about to die through the bond," he whispered.

"I can't... I can't protect you if you keep almost dying."

Lithia's hands were still on his b****y hands. Gold light cleaning them.

"I'm fine, Drayk. I'm right here."

"You're shaking." His voice was low. Broken. "You're still shaking, Lithia."

He looked at her hands. Cold.

He didn't let go. He held her hands tighter. Like if he let go she'd disappear.

"Stay."

Lithia blinked. "What?"

"Stay. Here. Tonight." He couldn't look at her. His ears were already red. "Please."

Drayk. Begging. The Ice King begging.

"I can't- if they try again tonight- I can't feel that again. I can't."

He was rambling. He never rambles.

Lithia whispered: "Drayk..."

He tried to smile. To make it less heavy.

It was awkward. Crooked. His fangs showed a little. He never smiles, so he doesn't know how.

"Serena told me I should... try. Does it look... stupid?"

Lithia stared at him. Shocked.

Not scared. Shocked that he was trying. For her.

Her eyes got watery.

"No," she whispered. "No, it doesn't look stupid."

She reached up and touched his cheek.

He leaned into it. Closed his eyes for a second.

"Cute," she said softly.

His eyes opened. "Don't."

"It is cute."

"Lithia."

She laughed through the watery eyes.

For the first time that night, his heartbeat through the bond finally slowed.

"Okay," she said. "I'll stay."

That night she slept on his bed. He sat on the floor, back against the bed, watching the door. All night. Guarding her.

Morning came.

The gates opened on their own.

No carriage. No horses. No announcement.

A lady walked in. And the guards let her.

Silver hair to her ankles. Skin like moonlight. Eyes like stars. A dress made of actual light.

"The Blood God sent me," she said. Her voice was bells. "To assist King Drayk with his curse."

Drayk stood in the court. Cold again. That small awkward smile from last night was gone.

"We didn't request assistance."

Goddess Asteria smiled. Stepped too close. Hand on his chest.

"But you need it, my king..."

On the stairs, Lithia watched. Her hands fisted.

And her golden blood boiled for the first time not from fear.

From jealousy.

**TO BE CONTINUED...**