The Scattered Bones

by Nicole Scarano

My father worshiped at the temple where he had abandoned his daughter, yet he never intended to lay his eyes upon his own flesh and blood. He wanted the praise of his peers, not me. Never me.

Come, oh ancient evil. Take my head from my body. I will return the favor.

Desperation brimmed in his eyes as he begged me to trust him, and for the first time, I had the distinct impression that Kaid needed me far more than I needed him.

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

“Do you love me?” “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.”

“Can I do this?” I ask as I begin the endless climb no mortal has survived. “Can you?” “I have to.” “Then you will.”

“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.”

“I’ll want you until the day I die.” “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.”