Total pages in book: 121
Estimated words: 112416 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 562(@200wpm)___ 450(@250wpm)___ 375(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 112416 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 562(@200wpm)___ 450(@250wpm)___ 375(@300wpm)
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.
Tyche jumped up and tried to backpedal away from Haru, putting more space between them, but he only ended up stepping right into the stream. The cold water soaked through his worn shoes and pants. He hissed and tensed up, trying to push aside the frigid distraction to focus on the bigger threat.
“Forgive me. I didn’t mean to startle you,” Haru said, but there was no missing the enormous grin on his face. Maybe he hadn’t meant to, but he was clearly enjoying the result.
“Yeah, well. No problem. As long as you’re amused.”
Haru’s smile dimmed, and he watched Tyche through slightly narrowed eyes. He was a tall, handsome man in this form, but still a touch shorter than Shey. He had extraordinarily long, straight black hair and fine, pale skin. But most of all, there was a deep hum of power that emanated from him that was unmissable. Unless you were human. However, it seemed as if Adrian still reacted to it at times.
It was understandable why Tula and some of the other gods had wanted to control dragons. The powers of gods—even the major ones—were limited to a specific area. Sure, life magic covered a broad swath for Tula, but she still couldn’t affect time or cause fires. She couldn’t stir up a storm like Kaes.
But with dragons, their magic was pure chaos. It was just undiluted energy that, with practice and intense concentration, could be directed into anything. The most popular use, though, was destruction. Who wouldn’t want to have that at their beck and call?
Well, not Tyche, but he at least understood their motivations.
“I truly don’t mean you any harm. Even if you are a god.”
“Sure. Cool. Thanks.” Tyche didn’t believe him for a second.
“I have no memory of the battles that happened between the gods and the dragons,” Haru continued to reassure him. “I don’t blame you for anything.”
“Thanks. I wasn’t there.”
“Clearly. If you had been, you would have been killed.”
“Okay, hurtful,” Tyche grumbled, shooting the dragon a sharp look.
“But am I wrong?”
No, he wasn’t. Tyche had told Shey many times he wasn’t a fighter and he wouldn’t have stood a chance against a dragon. Even his luck would have failed him when faced with a clan of dragons.
Haru took a step closer and extended his hand. “Would you like me to help you out of the water?”
“No, thank you. I’ve got it.” He’d been tempted to move to the other bank, but what was the point? It’s not like it would help him escape the dragon. His ego demanded that he try to return to dry land on his own. However, his clumsy feet betrayed him. He managed two steps before he slipped on a moss-covered rock. Yet, a powerful hand grabbed his elbow and kept him upright, safe from an icy bath. He jerked his head around to find a smiling Haru holding him up, while still standing on dry land. Tyche’s heart hammered, and he couldn’t draw in a single breath. He could only stare, frozen like a hare trapped by a wolf, waiting to have its guts ripped out. Without a word, Haru helped him out of the water and released him.
Tyche flopped down, light-headed, just trying to focus on breathing. His hands trembled as he pulled off his wet shoes and socks. He hadn’t been there at the war between gods and dragons, but he’d heard some stories. None of the major gods had died, but quite a few minor ones had flocked to Tula and Kaes, hoping to score some brownie points. Many, many dragons had died. The giant lizards were known for having long lives and long memories. Those deaths would never be forgotten. Tyche had always thought he would carry the burden of that war because he was a god.
Yet, Haru appeared not to blame him for those events.
To his shock, Haru sat next to him, seeming content to watch the stream flow by as Tyche tried to wring the water out of his shoes and socks.
“It is interesting. I have not been in these lands all that long, but I have already encountered two gods,” Haru began.
“Two?”
Haru’s smooth brow furrowed, his prominent dark eyebrows slashing toward the bridge of his nose. “No, you’re right. Three.”
“I’m still confused. Who have you encountered besides me?”
“First, there is my cousin. Tula, Caris, Kaes, Nyx, and Lore assisted him in becoming a god so that he could defeat Zyros. He said that he has become the new God of Hope.”
A small smile teased the corners of his mouth. It sounded like a pretty title, but Tyche did not envy him for it. It also sounded like an enormous weight.
“His name is Caelan, right?” Tyche shook his head as he peeled off his other sock. “I’ve never met him. It’s been a very long time since I last passed through Erya. Centuries, probably. Those lands were always a favorite of Tula, and I preferred to give her a wide berth.”