Once the gates opened, I froze at what greeted me.
Warm, smiling faces lined the path, welcoming me with honor, praising me as the Goddess of Abundance. Human-looking beasts threw flowers at my feet, bowing to the very ground I walked on. Gideon never let go of my arm.
My mouth hung open. This was a complete turn from the way they had treated me before.
"See, Sienna! Juno adores you!" Theo boasted.
I glanced at Nori. Her eyes were wide with wonder as she took in Juno. I wondered if she could imagine staying here.
Gideon stopped in the center of the path.
"All of Juno, Sienna—the reincarnation of the Goddess of Abundance—has returned to our land. Treat her with honor and respect," he commanded.
Then he finally released my hand.
Before he could walk away, I spoke.
"Gideon, can I please see the trees I saved?"
"Of course," he replied quietly.
I turned to Nori and Theo.
"Theo, could you show Nori around Juno for me? I think she'll love it."
"Why me?" Theo complained.
"You don't have to," Nori added quickly.
"Please, Theo," I said again.
"Theo. Do it," Gideon ordered.
"Fine," Theo muttered, motioning for Nori to follow. They started bickering right away. I smiled. They really were a cute pair.
Gideon gestured ahead. "Follow me."
The forest looked the same. The only thing that had changed was him.
He no longer asked me to be his mate. He didn't tease me. He didn't even act like I was a friend—just someone he had to be polite to. The silence between us felt heavier than any argument.
I broke it.
"It looks like my idea worked. I'm pleased I could help."
"Yes," he said stiffly. "We're grateful."
Why did he sound so miserable?
I kept staring at him, trying to read his face. I didn't even notice the rough ground until I tripped. He caught me instantly, steadying me—then letting go just as fast.
We visited the trees, then I asked to see the women and children. They rushed to hug me, clinging to my arms and legs. No one rejected me. Some even stopped what they were doing to look at me.
Was this all because they knew I was Eriu's reincarnation?
I grew tired and asked to rest. Gideon carried me to the sequoias—his home—and set me down quickly.
Everything looked the same. Then I saw something that made my heart skip a beat.
"My watch! You kept it?" I blurted out, smiling.
"You forgot it here," he said flatly. "I thought you might want it back."
Then I noticed the blanket from Avion—the one I had been weaving.
"This was mine too… Did you gather it?" I asked softly.
"Theo found it and gave it to me," he answered.
Oh.
So he hadn't kept it for himself. Why had I even hoped he did?
"I see," I said.
After a pause, he spoke.
"My clan prepared a feast to honor your return. If you're willing."
"Of course."
Back down off the sequoias, Theo and Nori were already there, holding fruits. They immediately argued about which one I should eat. I took both.
The elders apologized to me. I forgave them. I played with the children again—until I slipped away to the waterfalls. I just wanted to feel clean, light, new.
As the water poured over me, someone appeared.
Not Gideon.
Sasha.
"Goddess, may I speak with you?"
"Just call me Sienna."
She bowed her head.
"I'm sorry for attacking you before. I was blinded by jealousy."
"It's in the past," I said.
She dropped to her knees.
"I am here to beg you to please spare our King. We both know he marked you as his mate, but can you let him go, especially since you have other kings who yearn for you. Our King has the kindest and purest soul. Please don't taint it."
So that's how they see me.
Like I collect kings.
Like I'm some slut.
"Sasha," I said quietly, "it's not up to me what your king chooses. I never asked to be marked. If he wanted one of you, he would have chosen already. Talk to him—not me."
Between her words and Gideon's coldness, something inside me cracked. I wasn't good enough for him. It was painful to face the truth that was already in front of me.
I manifested a satin short dress, got dressed, and walked back. Gideon approached me.
"I'm tired," I said. "Can you please take me to your dwelling?"
He carried me without a word.
"I need to go back down," he said once we arrived. "Rest. If you're cold… use the blanket you made."
Then he left.
He didn't come back.
Before, he would have begged me to stay, kept me warm, held me close.
Now, nothing.
I told myself it was fine. I was saving him.
But even knowing that…
I still wanted him.