The Lost God

by Sheila Masterson

Magic sings to a witch’s soul, and a witch’s soul sings back,

“You mesmerized me. I’ve never stopped feeling that same sense of disorientation every time I’m around you.

I promised I would always keep you safe. If that means that I have to lose you to someone else, I can accept it.”

REALLY RAIN?!?!? 😤😤

All because he made a deal with himself when he thought she was dying, and unlike her, Rainer could force his feelings to submit to his will.

This is giving Dain vibes 💀

Want less, Cece.

I fucking feel this

Someone who would look at her and beg to see all of her, consequences be damned. Someone who would dare to want more right along with her.

SHOUT IT FROM THE ROOFTOPS BABE

Alone in the darkness, Cecilia promised herself she would never want less again.

The one time I think Rainer McKay could beat me in a fight is one over you.”

Oh I am waiting for this showdown lol

Most women are satisfied with just looking pretty, but you don’t seem satisfied with anything.”

More flattering words 🤩

Maybe I would be an even better hunter—like you and your magic.

Yeah Xander definitely has magic 👀👀

“There you are,” he whispered, stroking her cheek with calloused fingers. “It’s so rare you let me see you.”

“His hand, so calloused from his pistol softly traces hearts on my face” 🥹🥹

I find your honesty quite lovely and fierce. It’s a different kind of strength to feel so much so deeply.”

“And what do you want?” She couldn’t stop herself from asking. “All of you. Every part of you.

“Because now when I look at you, I will see your face and hear the sounds you make when you fall apart, and it will drive me to the most pleasant distraction.”

This scene has me ferallll 🥵🥵🥵

In the fading light, she realized falling for Xander felt like freedom.

She felt the overwhelming warmth of his love, the sharp edge of his desire, the deep longing in his heart, and a hint of grief and fear she didn’t understand.

Betrayal is on the horizon and I’m not ready

“I’m going to do everything, Cece.”

“Please, Xander. I want you.” “You already have me, love,”

It was against her nature as a warrior to reveal places where she could be easily wounded, and yet she wanted to show him every one.

I fucking love all of this

“Yes, but I want you to be in control. I want you to learn what you like so you know what to ask for.

Okay Xander is perfect omg

“I am more than all right. I’m overwhelmed by you.”

“Cece, I am in love with you. I’m uncertain of the moment it happened.

All I know is that I loved you before I even knew what was happening.

“Cecilia Reznik, will you marry me? Will you let me spend the rest of my life trying to deserve you? Will you let me whisk you away and keep you safe forever? Gods, I know you don’t need me to take care of you, but will you let me try anyway?”

Longing is made of memory,

You will always be separate. That is the price you must pay.

Xander was the Storm Prince, and the Storm Prince wasn’t just a fairy tale, which meant he could summon storms and who knew what else.

How ruthless of you to use love as manipulation.

It was meant to unbind the power of Clastor’s youngest child—the Lost God. It’s funny how we all recognize ourselves in stories, isn’t it... Goddess?”

He came here willing to die. Did you?”

CALL HIS BLUFF BABE I LOVE IT

And as much as I feel rage and grief, as much as I can barely even sit with the betrayal of it, it kills me more that I might not be able to save you.”

It wasn’t because you were worried or scared. It was because I was.”

Finally admitting some truths, keep going babes

Teddy shrugged. “I see nothing wrong with being hopeful. The world is dark enough.”

Teddy needs to be protected at all costs

Everyone sees a helpless girl. I see a kingdom poised for destruction. No one uses me. If they think they have the upper hand, it’s only because I let them.”

He used to make me sing when he was between my legs⁠—” Cecilia punched her before she could finish.

“Don’t you dare die on me, Xander,” she whispered against his lips. “I hate you so much, but I’ll hate you more if you die.”

“I love you, you brave idiot! Are you happy now? I love you, Xander.”

“I love you a little,” she whispered. Xander gave her behind a squeeze. “Nonsense, you only have one way to love, and it’s fully. It’s one of your finest qualities.”

You brought hope back to me when I thought I lost it, and you make me believe in the impossible.

“Xander, I choose you today and every day, not because you are the easy choice but because you’re the hard one.

You see me exactly as I am. You’ve pushed me to be myself, and you won’t accept anything less.

Despite all of my best efforts not to, I love you.

I promise to love you through whatever storms may come, to comfort you, to treat you as my equal in all things, and to do my best to give you everything you could ever want.”

“I know you like to be known for your sharp edges, my love, but don’t hate me for enjoying the softer side of you as well.”

Power is your birthright. The world will try to make you forget that.

if the moment comes and there’s a loss you truly cannot survive, you can have the one you can’t live without stab you through the heart. You will die, but they will live.

OKAY AND THE STRESS AMPLIFIES

“Even when she’s in a bad mood, like today, she feels hopeful. She feels like lying in the sun on a warm day, like being warmed from the outside in. There’s nothing she doesn’t feel intensely.

He feels this genuine warmth and honesty. He feels like coming home after being away too long.”

MESSY MESSY MESSY SHEILA

“You saved me, Teddy,”

None of us deserve Teddy 😭😭

“You’re a good friend, Ted. The best. Maybe I can fix it.