I won’t chance it happening. That creature is my entire universe, and without him, I’m willing to slay them all; happily, more than eager to do so,” I replied firmly.
“But would he die for you?” the shadow asked carefully, aware should she speak out of turn, I’d take her life. “Men are wishy-washy creatures controlled by their baser needs. You are certain he is worth this?”
“It doesn’t matter if he would or wouldn’t. I wouldn’t want Ryder to die for me. I want him to live.” I turned, staring at the figure concealed by shadows that swayed around her lithe frame. “The God of Death is here, and he will not take that man from me. I have tasted life without him, and I would always choose a life with him. Do you understand what I am saying? You offered me a way to avoid that cost, and now you question if I should take it? I chose to walk the road you proposed, and I’m moving forward. I will not change my mind after the fact, if that’s what you fear.”
“What if the God of Death isn’t here for just your husband? What if he is here for all of you? Your mother is gone, and without her, this world is nothing. What if this is the end of Faery?”
“Then we will die fighting to prevent that from happening,” I returned bitterly. “Do you hear me, Death?” I demanded of the second shadow that had appeared on the balcony, scrutinizing me from behind the first. “If you think to take those I love, know this: I will fight you with my dying breath to keep them alive. I will do everything within my power to protect my family.”
I didn’t back down as blue flames peered at me from beneath a black hood. The wind howled, matching the turmoil in my soul as if sensing my unease at Death’s presence and what it meant. My anger fueled the world, creating gusts of wind that whipped my hair against my face as my white gown ruffled, lashing harshly against my skin while I stared Death straight in the eye, promising a fight.
“If you are thinking of taking my family, Thanatos, I suggest you change your plans quickly. I will rip you apart and enjoy every cut you endure at my hands. I’ve not gone through hell to lose them now. I will fight you, even at the cost of my soul.”
Thanatos exhaled as the blue flames burned brighter against the midnight, regarding me carefully as he stepped out of the shadows, strolling leisurely toward me. “War is coming, Goddess. No one is guaranteed to survive. Both sides will carry the heavy burden of loss. Pray to your gods I don’t get carried away reaping the souls of immortals. Hell is empty, and immortals are always collected to rebuild the walls once broken. You’re about to wage war, and in war, the only certainty is death.
“You want to know why I am here and have brought the reapers with me? I’ve come to reclaim souls that have escaped or trespassed against the laws of this world. You and your kind have thrown the laws of death out the window too many times to be ignored. I am owed souls, including yours, which Danu denied me. It’s not personal, Synthia; death is never personal. Death is part of living, and when one soul is given and then taken, it creates an echo. You have made such an echo, and it’s still heard throughout Faery. Your God of Death is no longer here to give the souls of Faery peace, but I am.”
“I’m aware that we caused a stir when I refused to die. I don’t want this war, either. Faery never asked for this war, but we will fight to secure peace. We’re not the bad guys here. My family is fighting to survive. The fae are fighting to live so our children and their children will know peace within this world. If we fail, you’ll be rather busy since there will be nowhere else to flee than the human world. I am trying to prevent the humans from paying that price, as I’m sure you’re already aware of the chaos unfolding there.”