Something something

“Hey… have you ever loved anyone?”

Ranthael pulled his eyes away from the window to look inquisitively at the girl. He raised an eyebrow, and didn’t respond immediately. The only sound in the room was the pattering of rain against the glass window next to where the god was sitting, and a low rumbling of thunder in the distance. For a moment, Adanna thought he didn’t want to disturb his silence.

“Yeah,” he finally said. “I have.”

Adanna turned on the dark blue couch so that she was facing him, and rested her chin on the sofa pillow. “Then why are you still single?”

With a slight smile, the god forlornly turned his head back to the window. “Gods are just… different.”

He didn’t elaborate. After waiting several moments, Adanna figured she wouldn’t get a further response and lay back down on her back. She closed her eyes and listened to the monotone drumming of the rain.

“Her name was Anne.”

Adanna opened her eyes and propped herself up on an elbow.

“My first wife,” Ranthael continued. “Her name was Anne. She had black hair, like mine, and brown eyes. She was very smart, and kind. She…”

Ranthael squinted and trailed off. He closed his eyes as if searching for a long lost memory.

“It was ten thousand years ago… Almost everything I remember about her is trivial detail.” The god took a deep breath. “I’ve never told anyone. Only Puritus knows about her.”

“What happened to her?” Adanna asked.

“She died.”

The girl furrowed her eyebrows. Obviously in the last ten thousand years she eventually passed, the question was when and how.

“I mean,” Adanna continued, “what about her soul? She’s in heaven right? Can’t you still be married in heaven?”

“It doesn’t work that way…” Ranthael lowered the corners of his mouth and tugged at the rim of his scarf. “After Anne was Sophie. She was tall, brown-grey hair. Couldn’t have children. Lived a long and happy life. Lasted about six hundred years in heaven. In retrospect I’m surprised she lasted that long.”

“Wait,” Adanna interrupted, panic in her voice. “Heaven isn’t forever?”

“Don’t worry,” Ranthael smiled pitifully, “it’s as long as you want. Souls that end up in heaven can stay as long as they need. But, even the most dedicated souls won’t stay forever. Heaven is…” he stopped with difficulty, “It’s peaceful. It’s beautiful. It’s completely meaningless. Those who stay in heaven for a long time lose a sense of purpose. First they wait to reunite with their friends and family. Then their children. Then their children’s children. And then their children. And then the children of children they’ve never met. Before long the universe is only filled with strangers and the afterlife is forever unchanging.

“After a while, people want to go back. Even if it means leaving everything behind.”

“So, after six hundred years, Sophie reincarnated, and left you behind?”

“Yes…” Ranthael’s eyes drooped and he settled into a deep frown. “After her was… Claire. Then Eronith. She was batshit crazy, didn’t last very long. By then I got tired of constantly living through the passings of those I loved. I didn’t marry again until Ariendell, strongest warrior in the world for many generations. By then I was strictly on a no mortal lovers policy, but boy did she deserve to be an exception.”

He smiled again at her thought. “Sometimes I wonder what her reincarnated soul is up to now. I’d say she’s enjoying a nice peaceful life, but knowing her she’s probably on the battlefield again. Sadly there’s no way to know for sure.

“But regardless, that’s why I’m single now, and have been for most of remembered history. Being in an actual relationship is… inconvenient for someone like me.”

“So what about Lucientelle?”

“What about Lucientelle?” Ranthael jumped at the question. “I can’t believe people are still talking about that… Yes I had a thing for her. But I didn’t think she thought about me the same way. Besides, even if she did, she and Lilith are a thing and I didn’t want to get between that.” Ranthael furrowed his brow and instinctually looked at the ceiling in thought. “Er, I didn’t want Lilith in my way, actually. I’m the kind of guy who only wants a wife, not a wife’s wife. Maybe I’m just being picky at this point…”

“Aaaany other goddesses then?”

Ranthael crossed his arms and playfully pouted. “Well, if you MUST know, every god and goddess with a sex drive is infatuated with Kerenza. It’s a part of her job really, so we keep things purely professional.”

Adanna didn’t react.

“…But when her profession is the Goddess of Love that means-“

“Eugh, sorry I asked.”