Married by Wind by Angela J. Ford

Author:Angela J. Ford [Ford, Angela J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-09-08T16:00:00+00:00

18

Ulika

I laced my fingers together as Vinn spoke, because what I’d seen was potent as though I’d been there.

“I was young once, and yes, I know what you’re thinking. I’m a god. But I was much younger than I am now,” Vinn began. “I grew up among the fae, and in my youth and immaturity, I was arrogant, rather boastful about my unique skills, and as you mentioned earlier, mischievous. Magic is common among the fae, but many were jealous of my power. They were attuned to nature, had beautiful gardens where all plants thrived, and tamed monsters. But not the wind. Never the wind.

“One day, the son of the king and I were battling to best each other with our powers, a friendly competition, but a child crossed our path, and our magic killed him. The king took us to Val Ether for the gods to judge us. The gods took the king’s son to live in their halls, as though that would be punishment. But to me, they gave the harsher edict because I was a god. They sent me where no one else wanted to go, to the wastelands of the desert. They believed it was my fault, but it was an accident. It was, and is, never my intent to harm any living creatures. But that is my shame, my lesson from the past. Each time I see a child, I strive to make them happy, and the rosebush I took from the gardens of the fae is a reminder that one must endure thorns to find what is beautiful.”

A lump swelled in my throat. His story, and the knowledge something had wounded him, made me feel closer to him. It made him seem more mortal. What had happened was a defining moment in his everlasting life, and he’d chosen to share with me. “I’m sorry that happened to you,” I said, taking his hand in mine.

This time, the flashes I got were of warmth and desert. As though by sharing his tale, he’d freed himself from the earlier memories of lush lands and death.

“Are you happier? Now that you’re here,” I asked.

I meant the desert, but he mistook my meaning and squeezed my hand, his voice dropping to a husky tone. “I’m happier now that I’m with you.”

He was flirting again, reminding me of days of old when I assumed he was mortal like me. Shadows of sorrow squeezed my heart. But he wasn’t leaving today. When he was gone, it would hurt, but each moment with him I’d treasure. “I did not know that gods could suffer. I assumed everything was well, but what you’ve told me has shown a different side of your character.”

Vinn turned my hand over in his, tracing the lines on my palm. “Mortals are flawed, and having a god in their midst brings out the ugliness within them. Like a mirror reflecting what they cannot attain. The gods of Val Ether decided it would be better for gods to be alone, above all mortals.

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