Chapter 16: Bigger Than the Whole Sky

*Three Years Earlier*

Kate and Theo hoped it was just a fluke. Nosebleeds could happen for no dire reason. It could happen because of a cold or a change in weather. Some people had them because of genetics.

They weren't life-threatening. It couldn't be a sign of worse things to come.

They left the cafe and went to his room. Kate tried to reassure Theo that he was going to be fine. They had beaten the blood curse. He had felt healthy and strong for months

"What if it is back?" he asked. "What if the bond only helped for a short while?"

"It can't be," she insisted.

Kate had felt her magic healing him. Surely, if he was sick again she would feel it through the bond. She would heal him again. She would bleed and bargain with any god that would listen.

"It's going to be okay," she told him. "It's just a nosebleed."

"But what if it isn't?" he countered. "What if I was wrong that the bond could beat the blood curse?"