Though wrapped warmly in the arms of the celestial woman, my regret still weighed more heavily in my heart. I had broken the rule — the unwritten one. It might mean nothing for the gods but not for us, mortals. How could Amarisa forgive me if she knew I was now in bed with another woman, a goddess no less? Thinking of my beautiful princess on earth, my heart constricted with pain. I wanted to cry and curse myself for what I had done.

"Don't despair, my dearest, there is nothing you can do," the goddess spoke softly as if she knew what was taunting me. Her hand stroked my...