Time Immortal, City of Ersetu, The Underworld

"My daughter," Nateos says proudly. "Come, we must show off my newest granddaughter properly."

Thane reluctantly pulls away, most likely feeling like he hadn't properly worshipped our female's mouth.

"I'm so hungry," Mara whispers.

Thane shields her body with his, letting her drink from him, just a quick moment. All of the Basru drops their gazes, giving their Lady privacy.

I watch her ass move, a sultry sway in her hips as she drinks and sensually rolls her hips against my brother. He cradles her gently, more mindful of her sore body than she seems to be.

My daughter gurgles in my arms, her face squinching up, before relaxing back into sleep. I look at her and smile. Gods, how perfect, stunning that she's here so soon, but absolutely perfect.

Mara walks to me, eyes bright, mouth red, a sexy smile curving her lips. Alright, so maybe my brother has a point, she has a beautiful mouth. I feel Nateos pluck his granddaughter from my arms just before Mara reaches me, muttering "pissant," towards me before turning his attention to his grandchild.

"Thelios," Mara purrs.

"Firesprite," I bend my head and kiss her, tasting blood over her sweetness and not giving a fuck.

I lift my head, letting her slot her teeth against the column of my throat. The sting of her fangs makes me clench her tighter to my body. Damn she feels good. All of the exhaustion of this day falls away when I have her in my arms.

I look at my brother hazily. Thane is grinning, wiping some of the blood and gore from his arms and face with a rag.

"I agree, brother," I say, careful not to jostle Mara as I speak. "Her mouth..."

"It depends on what view you have," Thane responds swiftly, his eyes fixed on her ass.

I laugh, and Mara removes herself from me with a pout and a suspicious stare for both of us. I kiss those lips quickly, enjoying every second of her fire.

"I love you."

"I love you, too," she says, relaxing for a moment. She smiles at me and wipes her thumb across a cut on my brow. War settles in my body, satisfied with the affection from my beautiful Flame.

After a moment, Mara turns in my embrace and holds out her arms for our baby. Taking our daughter, she nuzzles her, reacquainting herself with her newborn.

I start to pick her up, but she shakes her head. "I will walk. I won't be carried like an infant myself through the streets of Ersetu."

We approach the Gate. It looks diminished, somehow, as if the Underworld recognizes that it no longer needs to protect Ersetu from the damned souls in the Fields of the Lost. Natoes leads the way, head high, shoulders thrown back, the proud father and grandfather, eager to show off his brood.

We follow, Mara between the two of us, walking. I wrap an arm around her waist and Thane around her shoulders, holding her steady, stubborn female. Behind us is Lier and Napthia, with the Basru taking up their watchful positions at our backs.

The eyes of the city turn to us. I think nothing of it until I hear the whisper, "...the Champion Inanji was fucking."

The old bitter hurt wells up. I am War, damnit. I am one of the chosen Fated of the goddess of Grief. I am a father and a husband and still I feel like Inanji's whore.

Mara clearly didn't hear the soft taunt, but Thane did. His arm moves on Mara and his hand finds my shoulder to squeeze comfortingly.

I focus on my female, my brother, my baby. There is no point in thinking of Inanji, anymore. Most of these souls probably don't even know that the bitch is gone.

Once inside the walls of Irkalla I take a breath relief.

"Bathe. I will take the baby to your mama," Nateos says to Mara.

He kisses her on the forehead, then gives Thane and I a hard, warning look.

Too bad, old male. There's no way we're going to the river with a nude and wet Mara and not having a little fun there. She is hurting, but that doesn't mean we can't worship her body as she deserves.

---

"Come, Poppy, come meet your little sister," Mara is holding Poppy, cuddling her close. Our eldest daughter has just woken up from her nap, her cheeks rosy, eyes still sleepy. Momo follows, holding her favorite blanket as though it's precious.

Erra wanders in after the females into the private halls of Death with his arms crossed, looking bored. I'm beginning to understand that Erra is very, very good at hiding his thoughts and feelings. He'll be a good warrior one day.

"Firesprite," I scold Mara gently as I take Poppy from her arms, "you must recover." I kiss Poppy's cheek while meeting dark eyes dancing in amusement.

Mara kneels next to Thane, who is examining our tiny daughter as if he's never seen a baby before. He still hasn't held her, but the awe clearly written on his face tells me that he's happy. "See Strawberry?" he says hoarsely. "Your sister, how small she is?"

"Was I that small?" Poppy whispers, her nose practically touching her sister's.

"You were," I respond immediately.

"Her fingers are so tiny," Poppy marvels as the baby grabs her hand, holding tight to her big sister.

Suddenly, Poppy sits back with a frown, looking at us all. "How come she has dark hair, Mama? I want dark hair, not red."

Thane laughs. "You look like your Mama, Strawberry." He kisses her head, but I see the flash of discomfort in his eyes as he realizes that Poppy's mama is here, and now forged with the goddess of love.

"She doesn't know," Mara whispers, her eyes darting to the corner of the room where Lier lurks uncomfortably, Napthia still hiding behind him. Harku is standing near her, trying to straighten her mussed robes while she surreptitiously tries to tug them away from him. I pretend I can't see the gargoyle, maybe the shy little cleaner can bring her out of her frightened state a bit.

"We don't need to tell her now. Let Napthia recover a bit," Nateos speaks calmly, thankfully settling his daughter's nerves.

Lier steps forward a moment later, clearing his throat and looking uncomfortable. "I need to tell you all something. It's about Inanji... and Anthea."

We all go still. Thane holds our infant daughter, picking her up and cradling her protectively, instinctively. I'm not sure if he's even aware that he is holding her, finally.

"Anthea received a bit of Inanji, too. I... I'm not positive, but I'm fairly certain."

"So, Anthea is a goddess after all?" Mara replies faintly, with a careful look toward Thane.

The muscle in my brother's jaw ticks. "So be it," he says finally. "We will deal with the bitch when we need to." His cocky assurance is absolute, most likely because Our Heart finally told him that she loves him.

I blow out my breath. I'm uneasy. I never told either Thane or Mara about how often Anthea tried to get me to bed her in the above when I lost my memory of Mara. I never slept with her, true, but I was lovers with Inanji before I met Mara and now Anthea and Inanji are combined together.

"Thelios?" Mara strokes my cheek and I lean into her palm. "What's wrong, my Heart?"

"I don't like her," I admit softly.

She laughs, kissing my chest. "Not one of us likes her, my warrior."

"I was taken by her. Had my memories stolen. Fuck, Firesprite, that female stole you from me. Stole me from you."

"Don't be afraid," Mara says quietly. "You are not a weak male. I have never met any males as strong as mine. You are a Champion, a Captain. You are War. And I love you. I have always loved you."

I close my eyes to keep from crying like a fucking female. I wrap my hands in Mara's hair, hiding my face in those luxurious, long locks of flame.

"My Flame," I mutter. "I was so cold. I love you."

"I know," she brags a little.

I laugh, and smack her ass.

"Do not ever do that again."

Mara and I break apart like two guilty children. "Yes, father," we both say simultaneously.

Nateos mumbles some sort of dire threat about my cock and I wince. Lucky for me, his lady, Kalla, is laughing hysterically, teasing him about having a grown daughter with virile males.

"They are not married, yet, Lady Kalla!"

I groan when Mardu's voice interrupts our small family.

We all turn toward the father god. He looks more alive than the last time I saw him. I see his eyes alight on our infant daughter and he immediately seems to be stunned.

"My gracious," he breathes.

"Isn't she a beauty?" another voice chimes in.

Nateos audibly growls. "This is a private moment."

Pir snorts as he moves in closer to see the baby.

"Well, child, introduce us to your newest babe!" Mardu snaps.

"Uncles," Mara says with a sickly-sweet smile. "Meet Nehmasis, goddess of Righteous Vengeance."

Well, shit. That's a mouthful.

"Hello, little goddess," Mardu greets our baby with a smile. I can tell that he wants to hold her, but Thane, now that he has her in his arms, isn't giving her up. I meet his eyes and nod in approval. Who's to say we can trust either of these gods? War broils in both of us, not trusting anyone, but ourselves and our female.

Shit, it's nice to have a twin.

"Well, now that you have destroyed Inanji, shall this new goddess be without a bond?" the scratchy voice of Enlal comes from the shadows.

Lier growls, stepping in front of Napthia, again. "There is still a Love goddess, and me, Enlal, so be careful how you threaten my niece," he lets his words rip from his gut. Truthful, powerful, and stupid, admitting that our little goddess is his niece.

Enlal seems to take it in stride. I suppose most of the gods and goddesses call each other relations, so Lier's slip-up isn't a complete disaster.

Still, it tells me that Lier is truly off-balance, spilling a secret that he's kept for years.

"It is not a threat. The Fated bond is one of the most beautiful things about living. What happens now? Will you create them? A warrior?" she asks Lier, a little hysterically. "Or that broken shell of a female cowering behind you? Or," Enlal turns to Mara, "will we allow Grief to choose?"

"I have no desire to choose," Mara says swiftly. "Souls can decide for themselves."

Tears roll down Enlal's cheeks. Her green eyes close. "It is a beautiful part of life, Mara, to have a bond."

"It will also create chaos between souls here in the Underworld," Mardu announces blithely. "The Acera may be able to choose, they are less volatile than the demons and shifters. But, the bond was a way to calm the beasts. Now what shall tame the demons within the most powerful warriors.?" His blue-white eyes twinkle in mischief as he looks slyly at my brother and I.

A faint growl rips from my throat, rumbling in my belly, but it's overshadowed by the ferocious snarl of Nateos.

The god of Death seems to swell, his anger rising. Lady Kalla comes across the room, placing her hand on his shoulder.

"You know how important bonds are, brother," Mardu continues, the mischief gone as soon as he sees Lady Kalla. "Tell your daughter what you did to the male Fated to be with your wife."

A hush falls over us all. Even Lier watches Nateos, his secret father, eyes wide.

Nateos' jaw clenches in anger. Mara turns, confused. I reach for her hand, just as Thane reaches for the other. Whatever new hurt that will be revealed, we are ready, united.

"You stole his soul for yourself," Mara states in a hushed voice. Her dark eyes, so much like her father, are deep and sorrowful.

Lady Kalla starts to weep, "it is not so terrible, my daughter. Please, don't be mad at us."

"You needed a soul for a bond," Mara says, eyes narrowed on her father. "I should have realized... gods can't have bonds, but you have one with my mother, and with me."

Nateos stands, stalwart, uncompromising, not asking for forgiveness or understanding. He wraps one arm around his Lady, the only sign that the god of Death has any feelings at all in the present moment.

"You told me that you fell in love, and that mother loved you in return. You never told me that you forged with a soul. Why?"

"Because, my brother hates the bonds," Enlal snaps. "You are the height of hypocrisy, Nateos!"

"She's right," Mara says softly.

Natoes' entire body jerks as if she cut his heart with a sword. "Daughter-"

"No," she shakes her head, interrupting her father. "Enlal is correct. Bonds keep the beasts and demons at bay. So...."

She bites her lip. Her eyes travel to Thane's left arm, still cradling our baby. Then her gaze drifts to Poppy and Erra, and her face falls, tears well.

"Our baby daughter... she has a soul. She is a fighter, and her Fated is gone, forever, as he should be," Mara says, her voice husky with tears. "I don't want her to be alone."

"She doesn't have to be," Enlal says. "This is what we have been warring over, Nateos! Freedom of choice doesn't always mean happiness!"

Mara turns to us with a pleading, desperate expression. "What do I do?"

At first, I have nothing to offer. Thane draws her close to us both, forming a tight circle with the baby cradled in between us.

"You have fought for this, Our Heart. To let souls choose," Thane says gently. He looks like the words have been tortured from his soul. He believes that the bond is what brought Mara into his life, and him into hers. But, his love is deep enough to fight his instincts for her.

I feel pity. War feels pity. I take a breath. For once, it is my duty to tell our beautiful goddess that maybe she needs to change her thinking.

"Firesprite," I say slowly. Dark eyes turn to me, imploring, tear-filled, heartbreaking. "Isn't that why War came to my brother and I? To feel this connection with you was worth splitting our spirit and energy in half. Love is worth it. Abusing the bonds is wrong, but maybe... it is the bond itself or the goddess who wields the power?"

Tears pour down her cheeks, each one a dagger in my heart. "A choice..." she whispers, before her tears choke off her words.

I start to panic, but Thane jumps in. "You had a choice, Our Heart. You could have chosen just one of us, or neither," he grits out. "Maybe, offer a choice, but keep the bond?"

Mara's entire being lights up. Thane's idea sparks her spirit, her soul coming alive with this new plan.

She spins around triumphantly. "You will all select a bond-mate, but the soul will choose the Fated they wish to bond to!" she squeals.

Her excitement doesn't dim, even when the other gods look at her sceptically.

"We will each choose a bond?" Enlal says doubtfully.

"Yes, a Potential bond." Mara gasps in happiness. I grin like a fool to see her so happy. "If there is a rejection, then no one must suffer so terribly, because there is always another choice."

Nateos is the one to concede. He takes a breath that shudders, bringing his Lady closer to his side. "Potential bonds, then. No longer will souls have just one Fated. However," he adds grimly, "only the Tasuri and shifters, those with demons and beasts, will be cursed with these bonds."

The room holds it breath.

"I agree," Pir states.

"As do I," Mardu says gleefully.

"Fine," Enlal begrudgingly admits.

Mara is looking at her brother. "Lier?" she prompts gently.

He clenches his jaw. "I must speak with you, Mara. Alone." He glares at Thane and I.

We both curl our upper lip, exposing sharp fangs of War.

Mara slips away from us, ignoring our twin growls. "A moment, my males," she says softly.

It's only a bit of a consolation that she call us 'hers.' It also helps that Momo and Mishu, quiet until now, are hanging upside down from the wall sconces, clearly eavesdropping and doing a horrible job of hiding it. They will let us know if Lier is up to no good.

"There's still a question of the wedding," Mardu says loudly.

My brother and I look at him. He rubs his hands together as Lady Kalla exclaims, "what a wonderful idea."

For once, Death and War agree on something, as all three of us groan good-naturedly.

---

"Lier?" I inquire.

"Mara," he hugs me to his chest tightly.

I return his embrace, asking him softly, "how do you feel?"

"I'm fucked," he says bluntly. "I feel like going around matchmaking, like a fucking female," he admits.

I hold in the giggle.

"It's not funny, little sister," he says sternly, but he's smiling. His grin fades as he states, "I can't create bonds, Mara. I've asked Napthia, but she's..." his voice trails off. We both glance at the new goddess, curled into herself as if she's hiding from the world.

"So, maybe Anthea has that ability?" I say softly.

"Maybe. Either way," Lier says firmly, "this is a good idea, but know that I can't... I can't help you." He shakes his head. "I have no bond, Mara. I wish I had some Potentials."

"I can-"

"No!" he interrupts me. I blush. It was a bad idea. "Let me figure this out, alright?" He takes a breath, looking uncomfortable. "I just... I have a request... or a confession, Mara."

"What is it?" I say warily.

"I have... items of yours."

I blink at him, confused. He pulls something familiar out of his vest pocket, hanging securely on a gold chain. "My blood," I whisper. The vial I gave to Tafia in the above... I forgot all about it.

"And... a necklace, this one," he shows me the metal skull. "It allows the wearer to wander to and from the Underworld."

"Why... what do you want with those, Lier?" I'm confused.

"I want the chance to choose a bonded female," he says quietly. "I just want... I want to be able to... to keep her," his eyes look at me desperately.

I just stare at him, a little dumbfounded.

"I wasn't going to tell you that I had these," he admits, continuing his confession. "But I'm sick of secrets. I'm not telling anyone who my father is," he warns me when he sees my face. I pout and he smiles weakly. "If the Acera don't have bonds, then I can have a female, bond to someone who will truly love me, Mara."

I inhale shakily. There's really no question about this. "Yes, Lier. Of course you can keep them. I would do more, if you would let me."

He smiles cockily, but it doesn't cover his relief. "I'm a god, don't you know?" he winks at me.

Impulsively, I hug him again. "I want to meet her before you make any crazy decisions, alright?"

"I'll think about it," he jokes with me.

A hard arm wraps around my waist and pulls me away. "We need our female, now. Fucking selfish dick," Thane grumbles as he hauls me unceremoniously into his arms.

"Get your own female," Thelios glares at my brother.

Lier looks at me and winks. "That's the plan," he agrees amicably.

My brother and I laugh, ignoring my males scowls.