Sworn to the Shadow God (Aspect and Anchor #2)

by Ruby Dixon

Even as I say it, I decide everything's going to be fine. If Rhagos is Apathy, I imagine he didn't choose to be so. Poor guy's probably trapped in a constant state of lethargy. It's like depression, and I'm going to have to just treat him with care and understanding. I'm here to be his friend and buddy, and I will be. If he can't be the strong leader…I'm going to have to be the strong leader.

Rhagos reaches out and to my surprise, he caresses my cheek, like a lover would. His gaze is intense. "I want to help you get home."

I have a sneaking suspicion that he isn’t the aspect of apathy, instead he’s lies… Because he doesn’t want her to go home, he wants her with him, but he couldn’t answer her question honestly. That’s why it’s been mixed signals. He’s not able to say the truth. He may be a little apathetic but as a cover, because for some reason he doesn’t want to tell anyone that he’s actually the aspect of lies. This is all just an assumption though.

A black flag means pirates…at least it did on my world. I can’t think it means unicorns and rainbows here.

This is something I would say and I just think it’s funny

Rhagos touches my cheek, his fingers wet and cold. “I won’t let anything happen to you, Max.”

Ok I’m starting to doubt my “he’s the lies aspect” theory now… I don’t know anything, none of it makes sense.

“Saving my own skin is definitely the priority,” he counters in that rich, amused voice. He gives me a little squeeze as we stagger forward. “Yours is worthless.”

This is what makes me think he’s lies!

Vor continues his mansplaining.

This is the perfect line to understand Vor.

“Most,” Rhagos agrees mildly. He picks up the knife and another piece of fruit, and begins to cut it. “Kemma, are you yet hungry?”

I think he’s trying to feed her so that her strength is at its best if he has to use his powers again. Or if they’re on the run and don’t have a lot of access to food.

I feel completely betrayed by his silence. By his refusal to answer. By everything. He’s not who I thought he was. This isn’t the Aspect of Apathy. This is a damn liar who’s been misleading me every step of the way.

Yes! I was right!! Finally!

“You two sound like an old married couple. You want some married couple advice?” She smiles. “It’s on the house. Okay. So…you guys should compromise.” Her voice has a dreamy tinge to it, thanks to the spices. “You, big guy.” She points at Rhagos. “You give your woman what she wants. And in return, she’ll suck your cock until you can’t see straight.” She beams at us, as if she’s solved all the world’s problems. “Compromise!”

I’m not going to tell him that he’s way more attractive than that statue lets on. I’m not going to tell him that he’s so powerful-seeming that the sculpture’s almost an insult. I’m not going to tell him that his shoulders are a heck of a lot broader, or his mouth far more enticing. I gesture at the statue.

“I was not bad,” he says. He lets it sit at that for a moment, and then continues. “But what is ‘bad’ exactly? I was not lazy or selfish. I was cruel.” He pauses for a moment. “Mostly. It is not…complicated, being a god.” I can imagine. “Yet Riekki is not here in the mortal realm. She is not boring and good, that one. Why do we serve the same punishment?”

His contemplation about his punishment and what I means is very interesting. Makes this godly character seem so human. That’s really the point of the anticipation though, to regain some humanity.

Rhagos’s deep, soulful voice drifts up from below. His tone is gentle, though. “Tell me more of your thoughts, Birkef. What do you think the Lord of Death should do when the dead are not buried properly? What is the correct price? Who should be punished if the poor are turned away?” He pauses and then adds, “I am curious…as a priest of Kalos.” I cross my fingers and hope he listens.

This is the kind of growth I love to see. Death is a complicated character for sure, but giving him this chance to grow is beautiful.

He’s looking at me as if he’s truly in love with me. As if this wedding is real. As if he’s never wanted anything more than to take me as a bride.

But forget all that if you’re going to be a dick.” She blinks rapidly. “A dick?” “Yes.” I lift my chin to hide the fact that a shiver of fear is creeping up my spine. I just called a goddess a dick. “A dick. It means you’re not being nice. And Rhagos hasn’t done anything to you.”

“Don’t you know that you are mine, Max?” he murmurs against my mouth, his tongue flicking against mine in a tease that takes my breath away. “Don’t you know that I will claim you in blood if I must? That I will claim you with tears on your face? Old or young? Don’t you yet know that you will always be mine and nothing else matters?”

He’s always trusted me, too. Every time I’ve asked him to help me with something, or asked him to believe in me, he always has. He keeps me safe. He remembers my glasses.

I thought Hedonism might be the “party” Aspect but I’m glad that I met my Rhagos. Hedonism would have used me up, left me nothing but a husk, and I’d have no mental capacity left to be myself. I’d have been dicked to death. What a way to go, though.

“I don’t love you, Max. I haven’t loved you since the moment I first saw you.”