The Scattered Bones

by Nicole Scarano

Hreinasta abandoned me, ensuring no god will ever answer my prayers, and while I don’t regret the actions that caused her shunning, I feel the absence of her blessing. I never realized how empty and dangerous the world was without the gods’ grace.

Worse fates await me if I escape this desert, but I must survive… for him. This is all for him. A thief who’s only sin was stealing my heart and offering his in return.

Our vows, our promise, our love. It cannot be silenced. We’re bound even in death, and that’s why I still sense him.

Lovec has bestowed his favor on me. The godless girl, the sinner, the unholy. The woman who understands his heartache, who gave his pain revenge. We are the same, and I belong to him.

I feel the Stranger’s presence. I had no one. Now I have The Stranger and the Great Hunter.

I wanted to be like him. A thief and a warrior. Someone no one could hurt.” He looked at me pointedly. “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.”

“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 did not help you, little hunter.” The hulking god stares at me as if he sees the deepest parts of my soul, every moment of both my past and my future, and my heart swells. He claimed me as his. I hate the gods. I don’t want to serve them, but this brokenhearted husband? I will worship him. We are the same.

Varas may be the god I’ve pledged to, but you’re who I want to swear my future to. You’re the altar I pray at, the deity I worship, and I would sacrifice my life for you, but you don’t belong to me. You never have, and you never will. You’ve belonged to Hreinasta since birth, and I can’t watch the person I treasure most in this world lose herself to a selfish goddess.”

“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 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.”

“The gods have forsaken me.” “Not the ones who truly care.”

“Sellah, my best friend, my entire soul, marry me? When we flee this place, I want it to be as husband and wife. I want to wed you in the name of Elskere and make you mine until death claims me.” A tear rolled down his cheek, and I leaned forward, capturing it with a kiss.

“I cannot let you die, my child. You are my only hope, my only way, and I do not suffer what is mine.”

“I may have little power in this world.” He grips my chin gently. “I cannot save you from everything, but I can stitch your leg and carry you to safety. I have grown fond of you, and your death would put an end to our plans.”

“I don’t love you, my wife,” he answered, and I smirked at his declaration. “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.”

“You are mine, child. I do not suffer what is mine.” “I want to believe you.” “So, believe.” “It’s hard when you promise the impossible.” “For others, yes, but not for you.”

You belong to him, even in death.”

“Sellah,” Kaid’s deep rumble cut through my terror. “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.”

The gods that matter see you. I see you.”

“Remember to have faith, and you shall find him. Listen to your heart. Your love will guide you.”

“I am no one, my child. I am but a stranger in this world.”