god of time

Please, Cronus. Do not think me so gullible as to continue falling for your ruse. You no longer care for me– you only have eyes for her. Just remember, you were the one who forced my hand.

Then no more ruse. You are wrong in that, Bellora, I loved you once upon a time. I cared for you, what we had, what we could be together, but what you are doing goes beyond the scope of your place as a goddess. Our rift began long before Jade and it will continue the longer you play these games and start taking innocent blood. I did not force your hand, my darling, but I will end this because you forced mine.

As fun as it was to run around in little Hawke's body, it's so good to be back in mine.

Bellora. I have missed that face.

Well, you aren't wrong in that thought. I'm glad you've finally understood that. My leaving wasn't abandoning anyone or anything; it was to keep myself alive. You also know that this means I won't allow myself to get dragged into any more messes that require me to put my health and sanity on the line. I will help as a healer, but I cannot step in to corral every single person onto the straight and narrow and away from making bad choices like last time. It's a good thing you're not possessed, because I honestly don't know what I would do hearing about another person potentially harboring a shit-eating alter-ego. In your case, a nice, apologizing alter-ego.

I know your intention wasn't abandoning them, it was for your own health and sanity. It's not right placing the blame and responsibility on one person's shoulders when it wasn't her job to clean the messes but that of mine and Death's. You are an exceptional healer, Isabel, it's clear on any branch of the time loom that you're truly meant to be what you are no matter the realm. The coven and, frankly, the city will require somebody well-versed taking care of others in a medical sense rather than world-ending. I don't apologize often, ask any member of my family, but it's genuine when I do manage to slip it out.

That's true, I never expected to add 'technically related to the gods' to my family tree. Hel has always been my cheerleader, even when we were just children; if there's anyone I would want to disappoint less than my parents, it's her.

I remember when it once was just my brother, my son, and I before our family roots sprung at a farther reach. Lady Helena shows a kindness and fierceness bold enough to champion such a Queenly title. Your relationship is strong, admirable even. I know she cares for you.

Especially the mortals.

When we are alone with our thoughts for a period, Miss Bishop, the only thing we can do is self-reflect and humble ourselves. I realized that my stubbornness and lack of action when I'm meant to help as a god led certain events into fruition. You had every reason staying away after the ordeal with Angelus and I'd have done the same as Pride if Jade were in your shoes. And in case you were wondering, I haven't been possessed.

It will take a lot for Kai to ever warm up to you, if I'm being honest, but I believe bridges can be mended if both sides are amenable. Marina cares for my brother, much like someone would care for a father figure– she'll do what needs to be done if it comes down to it. I never did get to thank him for essentially saving my son from doing something he couldn't come back from by stopping Emilia. Seems like you'll end up doing the same for my brother. Your adopted daughter, Violet– she prophesied that Bellora would take Marina, I remember. That's... not a good sign if it's projected that she will have a fallout with Henrik. Is this something we can avoid? I can take her in just as I had with Robin and Valentin.

I wouldn't be remiss if he never forgave me, dear one, yet both placing a foot forward and trying is what matters. The demented Azriel's timeline is not the only one where he adopted her fully as his own, whether Az accepted it or not, Marina is his. I can see how she shares the same fierce spark as your family. Death feels every shift in the universe, Gianna, he couldn't ignore erasing many minds that link you to Envy. We unfortunately cannot avoid Violet's fate, though, I have tried searching to no end. Taking her in won't stop Henrik from stealing her, but there is something more than what Nikolai is telling me. What he can't say. Here is what I do know about Vi...her misfortunes are only getting started.

Someone has to look out for the small, squishy people who will no doubt get hurt from all this godly mess. Is there something you're here for, Cronus? I doubt you're in the mood for idle conversation.

Being from all walks of life, including mortals, I assume.

No one ever sees the less glamorous side of being a healer, which is making an exhaustive list of ingredients I need for whatever bullshit war is around the corner.

Suppose the focus less on the princes and more on my kind gives any reason making preparations on the sidelines.

It's the risk of any danger threatening his mind as one would with a cracked open egg. I know Kai and I began on the entirely wrong foot, but I'm admitting fault for misjudging him, all grudges aside. If you trust Marina's hyperfocus does not stray because of her personal connections with Azriel, she will be a major factor. And of course, enlisting Ainsley's assistance does not hurt the long run. Thank you...nor have I made it easy on your family. The fiasco of the resurrection and now Bellora's claim kickstarting a war sent the gods scrambling. Death stepped in under great importance and it's time I followed his lead. Not just for Jade, but my adopted daughter's role in the fallout with Henrik.

I appreciate that. Means a lot coming from a god such as yourself. I had meant to make myself known, but cleaning up the coven has been my main priority since I gained my bearings in this timeline.

A compliment made more unique when you are technically an extended member of my family. Helena spoke highly of your trainings and her confidence in your place at the top affirms mine.

Sleepless nights, countless tribunals, and tracking down errant council members lead to a barely functioning coven, but it's functioning.

You've done well where your father has not. You have my congratulations.

Love does complicate things, I know this personally, but even I know that this hesitation is going to hurt a lot more people before this is all over. I just hope that Jade survives all of this in the end. She told me that she made a deal with a version of Azriel so that he would kill Bellora. Someone she called a monster is going to cross over into my brother's body sooner rather than later. It's not his fault– he had no say. Please help him, I can't lose him.

It's the for now that doesn't bring me much comfort. I'm not a strategist, I'm not the planner, but I see and feel the fallout as if it were my own every day. When will it stop? When will you or the others of your power caliber say that enough is enough? We all, including yourself, have lost enough.

You are right, Gianna, it has gone on long enough. Had I been a neutral party to all of this, I would have solved the problem centuries prior. Yet, my feelings for Jade and in turn Bellora are causing hesitation. Her abilities are destructive and she is ruthless at her core, but I loved her once. I still love her. At the root of this, it's not just about my position anymore. However, a new plan has been set in motion with the Weaver, hasn't it?

If it brings you a level of comfort, the girl is safe for now. You should know that your brothers followed not soon after, but Bellora can only stay distracted for so long.

I'm sorry. Is that what you are looking to hear? I didn't mean making you feel utterly abandoned, Nikolai, and how I have proven being a father is possible for me will never cease to astound from this day forward, but I know how much of a hypocrite I must seem for you knowing the unspoken rule no god should shatter. No, I don't require seeing what will happen with my own eyes when I know Henrik's patterns. How easily he produces children judging by his growing brood. Granting even a small spark of hope is admirable, Nikki, and needed considering all Vi's suffered. A fact even leaving me tempted by changing it altogether. However, a lot of hope is dangerous. It could fool anyone into believing there's an exception card to use.

You haven't exactly been interested in my life before, other than giving me unwanted input in a skewed attempt at being a father, so I didn't see a reason to tell you. I'm not the one you need to worry about out of your children. I'm doing my job, that's all.

I admit, our last conversation didn't progress very well. I can even swallow my pride and apologize for my lacking parenting since your mother brought you into the world. While I cannot understand your choice marrying the Queen Mother, you know as well as I this vision hits close to home as every family matter would. Violet and Henrik are connected now.

A war I had no plans on returning for, but it never works out that way, does it?

Placing aside I find out you're not only married, but had been away on a honeymoon, it's a wasted trip back. You can't change her fate, Nik.