Page 61 of Thorn & Ash
Mona suppressed a shudder.
“I wish you hadn’t come back,” Evander murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.
Mona whirled to face him, stung by his words. “What?”
“That’s not—I didn’t—” Evander gritted his teeth, his eyes closing in exasperation. “I didn’t mean it like that. I’m overjoyed to see you again. I only meant this realm is dangerous. And I fear what it will do to you. You aren’t just a spirit anymore—you’re flesh and blood, and you can be harmed. The thought… terrifies me.”
Mona’s lips parted as she gazed at him in wonder. He was terrified of seeing her harmed? Tendrils of heat coiled in her chest at the look of conflict and yearning in his expression. Without thinking, she lifted a hand and pressed it to his cheek. His skin was surprisingly warm, and he leaned into her touch.
“I’ll be all right, Evander.” She found herself smiling. “I have you to protect me.”
He huffed a short laugh. “I’m not invincible. I can’t protect you from everything.” His eyes darkened. “I couldn’t before.”
“Vasileios,” Mona whispered.
Evander nodded. “Yes.”
“Well, he’s dead. He can’t hurt me anymore.”
Evander’s head reared back. “How do you know that?”
“I was there. I—” But as Mona tried to reach those memories, they, too, faded away from her. She blinked, finding herself lost once more. “Dammit. As soon as I focus on it, it vanishes.”
“The memories must be returning to you on instinct,” Evander breathed, his gaze distant. “Remarkable. I’ve never heard of this happening before.”
“Really? How many mortals have come through the whirlpool?”
“Well, it isn’t usually humans who make it through. Sometimes gods or goddesses, or even demons.” Evander’s brows knitted together. “But I wonder if it has more to do with your magical heritage than your mortality.”
“You think my magic is helping me retrieve memories? But I thought my powers didn’t work down here?”
Evander’s silver eyes bore into hers. “You’re a witch, Mona. A powerful one. You got your powers to work before, so I wouldn’t be surprised if it happened again.”
A witch, Mona thought. But not just an ordinary witch…
She drew in a sharp breath as another memory formed in her mind. A goddess. Mona was a goddess.
Gaia’s daughter.
A splitting pain seared through her temples, and Mona groaned, hunching over with a gasp. Evander’s hands were on her again, but she barely felt his presence through the agony sweeping over her.
In a flash, it was gone, leaving her trembling with fatigue.
“What’s happening to me?” Mona panted, cramming her eyes shut against the echo of pain still rippling over her.
“The magic of the Pool of Forgetfulness,” Evander said, his hands rubbing gentle circles on her shoulders. “The magic is fighting against yours.” He swept his thumb down the length of her jaw. “Gods, please be careful, Mona. The power of that magic could tear you apart.”
“What if my magic is stronger?” Once she was certain the pain wouldn’t return, she straightened to look him in the eye. “What if my magic can win?”
Evander shook his head. “You are talking of the magic of the gods, Mona.”
“And I’m a goddess,” she said firmly.
Evander stilled, staring at her in shock. “A goddess?”
“Gaia is my mother. I remember it clearly.”
His face drained of color. “Gods above, I…” He broke off, shaking his head in disbelief. “That explains so much. I knew you weren’t just an ordinary soul.”