The Scattered Bones

by Nicole Scarano

Szent has been the capital of the realm,

Sato, the goddess of the harvest, farming, and livestock, has the largest cult.

Valka, the god of war, is another deity whose cult is vast.

I’d never seen someone with such a pronounced deformity, and it called my name like forbidden fruit.

“I’ve never seen anyone as beautiful as you. I mean this in the most respectful way, but you are divinely lovely. I’m almost ashamed to share the same air as you.”

“I don’t want to take anything from you.” Conviction fortified his voice. “I want to give everything to you.

“I’ll help you live an entire lifetime in the coming seasons,” he whispered. “I’ll make them the best days of your life.”

I know you aren’t supposed to touch anyone, but you can touch me. Even if you never do, you have my consent. You’re safe with me.”

“I have scars from those who tried, but as the cycles passed, less and less could wound me, but your tears? They hurt worst of all. Out of everyone in my life, you have the power to hurt me the most.”

“Why?” His words alarmed me. “Because I finally found a soul that sings to mine, a friend unlike anyone I’ve ever met, and I made you cry. I can’t take you away from here. I cannot touch you, and in a cycle, I’ll lose you.”

“I’ll even return when you’re old and grey and Hreinasta abandons you for another. It may take a while, but I’ll always come for you.”

“You are my goddess.” His low admission rumbled through his ribs, vibrating against my skin. “You are what I pray to, what I worship, what I adore.”

“I love you, Sellah,” he whispered into my hair. “You own me. All of me. Forever.”

“I don’t love you,” he growled as he angled his hips to hit the spot that unleashed the stars. “This isn’t love. Love is too simple a word for what I feel. The world could end. Ages could pass. The gods could die, and I would still adore you. You’ve been braided so deeply into my heart that I no longer exist without you.”

“I will love you until my death,” Kaid promised. “And then I’ll love you from the grave until I’m dust. When your consciousness returns after she abandons your vessel decades from now, I’ll be here waiting for you.”

“For what I feel is more than love. There are no words to describe my devotion to you.”

“I’ll want you even in death, Sellah. There’s no afterlife, but that doesn’t matter. I’ll love you until I’m dead in the dirt, then I’ll love you until my body is nothing but bones. And when my bones fade to dust coating the earth, I’ll still want you.”

Kaid, you are the standard

“Sellah, my love, look at me.” I obeyed, barely able to see through the tears. “I will love you until I am nothing but dust, and even then, I’ll still love you.”