The Golden Apple He Stole From Me

My ears rang. I stood there, paralyzed.

A soulmate mark is the ultimate bond. Sharing it meant severing our tie, tearing my soul in half, and shoving it into another woman's body.

For any bonded mate, it was the ultimate humiliation.

Seeing me hesitate, Zale quickly stepped closer.

"Kressa, you know I swore to love you, and only you, for all eternity. This is just a temporary measure, a desperate act to save a life! Melora may not be your sister by blood, but in the eyes of the gods, she is your kin. It's only temporary. Once her divine core is stable, I will be your mate and yours alone. Philon's one and only father."

"Mother, can't you just be generous for once!" Philon had run up at some point, his small hands clamped tightly around Zale's leg as he glared up at me, his brow furrowed in a fierce scowl.

"Aunt Melora is in so much pain! Why can't you just share a little bit of Father's love? Aunt Melora told me that if you would just share a little, she'd stop coughing up blood every day. Why are you so selfish!"

Selfish.

I stared at the child I had risked my life to bring into this world.

Then at the man who had sworn to love me for all eternity.

So this was what it came to. In their eyes, fighting to protect my own husband, my own soul, was selfishness.

But now... it no longer mattered. If Melora wanted it all, then she could have it.

All of it. I was done.

I lifted my head and met Zale's gaze. "Fine. I agree."

A flash of surprise—and something like pity—crossed Zale's eyes. "Really?"

Without missing a beat, he pulled the Blade of Olympus from thin air and offered it to me.

I gave a weak smile. Oh, Zale. You can't even be bothered to hide how desperate you are, can you?

I took the heavy blade. Without a second thought, I slashed my own wrist.

Sacred mate's blood spilled, dripping onto the cold marble floor. The bond shattered.

I watched the soft mark bearing my name on Zale's chest burst into flames. When the light faded, a glowing Siren scale mark took its place.

He and Philon looked so relieved. So proud.

"Kressa, once Melora is stable, we'll restore our bond. Don't worry, I will never betray you!"

Zale dropped his own blood onto the array, sealing the ritual.

He looked at me, sighing, and gently tucked a stray strand of hair behind my ear. "Kressa, you're being so much more reasonable now. I know I haven't been perfect. I've neglected your feelings."

"Once Melora is well, Philon and I will make it up to you. The three of us... we'll be happy again, just like before."

"Yeah, Mom!" Philon piped up like a little adult. "You're so nice to Aunt Melora! I'm proud of you!"

Watching them, my heart felt like dead ashes.

I had held onto one last shred of hope for them. Now... whatever. I was ready to fade.

I stood up to head to my bedroom, but a violent wave of dizziness hit me. I blacked out.

Right before the dark took over, I saw Zale's panicked face.

I woke to a bone-deep chill. My eyes fluttered open. I was still on the cold marble floor.

Looking up, I saw Zale and Philon. The father and son were staring down at me, their faces a mixture of concern and utter disappointment.

When I came to, Zale let out a visible sigh of relief, but his brow remained tightly knotted.

"Kressa, can you please stop these dramatics? Do you have any idea how scared I was when you suddenly collapsed?"

"I already told you, didn't I? Though our bond is temporarily severed, I still love you. You don't need to resort to childish fainting spells to test me!"

"See, Father? I told you she was faking it again!" Philon chimed in, a pout on his lips.

"Mother, can't you stop being so immature? You're making us late to bring Aunt Melora her necklace!"

Faking it?

I forced a bitter smile and pushed myself up.

The poison was a beautiful liar. It silenced the curse's agony and froze my body’s decay, all while devouring my life force from within. It painted my cheeks with a rosy, healthy glow for my final three days.

It was working perfectly, apparently.

I forced myself to stand. "My magic was just a little unstable. I'm fine. I'll go to the temple with you. There are domain transfer scrolls that require Melora’s personal seal."

Zale nodded. He didn't look surprised. My parents must have told him already.

At the temple, Melora was in her chambers, admiring the gems the mortals had offered.

"Kressa! You're here!" Melora looked pale, but definitely much better. I didn't miss the arrogant gloating in her eyes.

"Thank you for trusting me with your temple, Kressa. Don't worry, I won't let you down!"

"Exactly, Kressa," my mother beamed. "With Melora as high priestess, you can finally relax at the Sea God's Palace. Isn't that a relief?"

I pulled the last scrolls from my bag. "In that case, I want her to take all my gold and assets, too. Then I won't have to worry about a thing."

The gods and servants in the temple just stared at me.