Page 40 of Thorn & Ash

Evander had never felt so afraid in his mortal life. It took him several moments to notice the strange and yet familiar weight of Typhon’s wings behind him.

How was Typhon unleashed right now? Evander felt completely in control of his body. Typhon’s usually infuriating voice was oddly silent in his mind.

How was this possible? Evander had never shared consciousness like this before. It was always either fully Evander or fully Typhon in control. Never both.

“Are we almost there?” Mona panted beside him, her palm sweating alongside his. “Sorry… Not used to… being on solid legs.”

Evander cast a quick glance at their surroundings. The trees had grown thicker and leafier, widening to the expansive forest just outside of Cocytus. Evander released a heavy breath, grateful they’d escaped the Undead Wilds. Perhaps some darkness had seeped out of the wilds, leaking into Acheron? He would have to check with Cyrus to find out.

“Yes,” Evander said, slowing his quick pace. “We are in my domain now. We can rest.”

Mona nodded gratefully, still gasping for breath, as she sank onto the ground, stretching out her legs and leaning back to rest her elbows on the grass. She wore the same green dress, which had been mended somehow, as if this realm replaced the outfit every time she took her mortal form. Regardless, it was identical—from the shade of emerald to the silky smoothness of the fabric—to the dress she’d worn before, when she and Evander had almost…

Evander’s face heated at the memory. Gods, what had he been thinking? He was mortified, and he owed her an apology.

“Mona,” he began, striding toward her.

She shut her eyes and shook her head, a thin sheen of sweat coating her forehead and neck. “Goddess, this body… feels everything… so intensely.” She pressed her palm to her forehead and breathed deeply.

A sinking sensation settled in Evander’s chest. Had their moment of passion simply been a result of her new body?

Then again, how could he blame her? His actions had been a direct result of Typhon.

And yet… he had felt everything. He had been present for the entire incident, and he remembered it acutely. The heat of her skin against his, the caress of her tongue, the peaked tips of her nipples… He could recall it all with perfect clarity, as if he’d been the one doing those things. And not Typhon.

Gods, he couldn’t make sense of this at all. What was happening? Something about his link with Typhon was… off. It wasn’t functioning the way it was supposed to. The magic binding them together indicated Typhon would emerge only from dusk until dawn.

But lately, he was emerging a lot more frequently. Ever since Mona had arrived.

Evander cleared his throat. “Are you all right?”

Finally catching her breath, Mona nodded and looked up at him with a grateful and slightly embarrassed smile. “Yes. Sorry. I feel… oddly disconnected from myself right now.”

“You are newly reunited with your body,” Evander said, extending a hand to help her to her feet. “It’s understandable.”

Mona took his hand, and he hoisted her up. She gasped as she rose to stand right in front of him, their noses practically brushing. She inhaled sharply, her eyes closing for a moment, before she drew back a step.

“Do you know why?” she asked, her voice a bit strained.

Evander licked his lips, his mouth suddenly dry. “Why what?”

“Why I have my body back? Did you do something to fix it?”

Regret and anger flared in Evander’s chest. “No. I wish I had, but no.” He quickly explained what he’d learned about Vasileios.

The color drained from Mona’s face. “Your—your older brother… has claimed my body? What does that mean?”

“A union between a prince of Hell and a powerful witch would grant him a significant amount of magic,” Evander said, his tone laced with bitterness. “But if he doesn’t have your soul along with it, I’m not sure what he can do.”

“So—so why do I have my body now?” Mona gestured to herself in bewilderment. “If he’s claimed my body, I shouldn’t have access to it, right?”

“He’s putting some kind of plan in motion,” Evander said, rubbing his chin in thought. “My guess is, he doesn’t need you to play your part yet. And whatever magic we’ve been working together has managed to free you. Temporarily. But as soon as he needs you, I’d wager you would return to your spirit form once more.”

Mona took a trembling breath. “Magic? You and I have been using magic?”

“Haven’t you felt it? In the song?”

Mona nodded, her expression dazed. “I have. I thought it was an echo of my former magic, though, reminding me of what I’d lost.”