The sky split with fire.
The gods descended, cloaked in light, their voices thunder and silence.
"This ends now," one boomed.
"She must burn," another whispered.
"Her fire breaks the world," a third warned.
The wolves cowered, their golden eyes dimming. Even the Shadow paused, its endless eyes turning toward the divine.
Aradia's body trembled, her fire flickering weakly. She remembered the words from her dreams: too strong to exist. Too dangerous to endure.
Her lips parted, her voice shaking. "If it saves them, then take me."
Kael roared, his claws digging into the earth, his wolf snapping. His green eyes blazed with fury as he stood between her and the gods.
"No. You will not touch her. You will not take her. She is not your weapon. She is not your curse. She is mine. My mate. My Queen. If balance demands her death, then let balance burn."
The gods faltered. Their fire dimmed. For the first time, the divine did not look certain.
Because Kael's love defied them all.