Chapter 9

Viktor put himself in front of me to take those arrows even before this whole story involved Athelia. That disturbed me.

The explanation that he believed there was a goddess inside me seemed like a much better alternative because otherwise, it would become something... personal. More concrete. He saved me for me, or for some moral reason of his own—for himself—and I owed him.

Being a goddess would be great. Gods don't owe others, do they? I could consider it an honor for him to save me.

But Pandora was right. Without that, I was of enemy blood, just another person they would mostly want to end at the nearest opportunity. I had no right to be responsible for Viktor like this. I was already struggling to save myself.

"How am I supposed to..." My voice failed as I looked at my own hands, unable to form the words.

"Can you show me what you did in the forest?"

I raised an eyebrow at her. Pandora had calmed down a bit, her anger fading in favor of an emotion she could use and that was easie