TW: Mentions of death They kiss teehee Quite a lot was happening in the palace of the gods. Deities were preparing for the upcoming battles, and, if Amaris allowed herself to speak her mind, she’d say that they were all overreacting. The advisor had always found the wartime rush pointless. We’re gods, she’d say. What are we so worried about? Death was a foreign concept to her. After all, only mortals could die. She found the anxiety of her fellow gods… ah, what was the word? Pointless? Foolish? That was, of course, before she learned about the charms. They terrified her. “Terria, milady? Are you quite sure you’re thinking this through?” Amaris called after her mistress, their footsteps echoing through the vast marble halls. Amaris had always found the moon-pale walls and floors comforting. They resembled the halls of her underwater palace, but filled with flora from above the sea. She considered the palace a home away from home, somewhere she could go to escape her fellow gods. “Of course I am, Amaris.” Terria did not sound very sure. If Amaris had to bargain, she’d say her queen was lying. But that left one question… Why would she lie? The advisor knew very well that her queen wasn’t telling the truth, but she held her tongue, not wanting to offend the earth goddess. “Listen, Ama.” Amaris found herself flushing at the nickname. She wasn’t used to being referred to in such a heartfelt way. “I only want what’s best for you… and the rest of the pantheon.” She didn’t miss Terria’s hesitation. She hated how it made something in her chest flutter. “...I understand. But you must—” Her queen stopped her with a stern gaze. Amaris snapped her mouth shut, not even needing to be told to. “Enough.” Terria’s gaze was cold for a freezing moment, but her expression eventually softened. “I… I understand your skepticism. But you have to trust me.” “But what if I…” Amaris trailed off, shaking her head. She couldn’t speak to her lady like this. “My deepest apologies. I don’t know what I’m saying, I…” Terria took her by the shoulders, her gaze softer than the robes priestesses wore during ceremonies. “Please, Amaris. I know none of this sounds okay to you. But I have to do this. And I need you.” “Terria…” Her queen took her face in those calloused hands, gently tilting her head up. Terria’s face was gentle, something Amaris always found herself watching for. Waiting for her lady’s face to soften so she could drown in those perfect eyes. “I promise you, this is worth it.” Amaris could sink into the warmth of those eyes, let it consume her and leave nothing behind. “I don’t want you to leave,” Amaris blurted out, her visions becoming blurry with salty tears. “I don’t want to be alone again.” A hand came up to brush the tears out of her eyes, Terria carefully leaning forward to examine her advisor’s face. The pendant hanging from her necklace glittered cheerfully, like it knew its part in this. “I know. I don’t want that either.” Amaris watched as her queen leaned in close, pausing just as their foreheads were about to touch in a hesitant manner. The advisor closed the distance between them, their lips connecting in a sorrowful kiss. Amaris knew it was the only one she’d ever get. She had to savor it, the floral scent filling her nose, the taste of herbal tea on her lips, the warm embrace of her love. They stayed like that for a few moments before Terria pulled away, gazing down at Amaris with a gentle look in her eyes before withdrawing completely, her hands going to fidget with the charm. “Please. You’re the only one I can trust.” Terria said nothing else before turning away, her long braids swinging from side to side as she walked away. Amaris stared down at her reflection in the gleaming floor. She wondered how long it would take her to never want to see it again.
