Reader’s Reviews > These Immortal Truths > Status Update

CA 1953, away for 11 years. Can’t help from coming back to her. She says to stay and they will face what comes next together, things worse than death. She repeats their mantra Fear is for mortals. He stays but says “Fear is for us all.”
End book 1. Honestly, this is the LONGEST short book I’ve ever read. It was tedious. Sure there’s yearning but why did he instalove her in the first place? 3 ok stars.

Takes her to cute cottage in CA 1942, doesn’t plan to come back to her.
“I’m sorry, Anna.” His voice, his smile, is full of pain and resolution. Anna knows he’s decided for both of them, without her. His lips press against her forehead. A goodbye. He’s never given her a goodbye. “I won’t risk you.” She gasps, her fingers tangling in his sleeve. “No! Don’t—” But he does.

“There won’t be an us, Anna. There can’t be.” “There has been an us for eight centuries,” she argues. “Why would that change now?” “He’ll be keeping closer tabs on me. Once he notices I’m traveling again, he’s certain to pay attention.” “And if you didn’t? If you stayed in one place?” His eyes soften with regret…”Then he would know I’ve found something worth staying for.”

They e. Den fighting for 20 years. He’s finally weak enough to tell her about The First (god who rules the rest but her, likely ate more than one peach himself). Khiran stole an extra peach just to rebel. Gave it to her when she saved his life when he didn’t even need it.

Khiran is tortured by his higher power (father?) for interfering and killing the nazi when saving Anna in WW2. He’s still keeping secrets from her, so she’s still mad at him.

Was Khiran born, not eat a peach? Convo with Silas: “You are the anomaly, Anna. The only one of us to receive the gift without the price.” “The only one you answer to is yourself. The rest of us … we do not have that freedom.”“Who would you possibly need to answer to?” “The same one Khiran would save you from knowing.”

She goes to Eira (his mom?) against Khiran’s wishes. Eira wants her help to feed starving children in the meadow (luring them there). Also, there’s a big bad they are hiding from. “Khiran, how long will she stay hidden from him when you are not?” (Since he took part of his magic to hide her with the ring). She feels manipulated. “I don’t want to be your responsibility, Khiran. I want to be your equal.”

He has a scar over his left lower rib. The ring he gave her is made of bone. “I needed something to connect us. To know when you had need of me.” He brings her hand to his lips, kissing her palm. “It ensured that you would remain safe.” Hides her from the other gods, who from story all are the tree’s fruit. They would hurt her to hurt him. Is she a god too? Chapter ends with lots of love but Eira is back.

WWI, acting as British medical volunteer. Hospital bombed and she was actually hurt — bloody and heart stopped. By second bombing, Khiran pulls her out, realizing things can hurt her and he “doesn’t know where the line is anymore, Anna.”

Jack the Ripper historical landmark. Back in England, being a nanny and tutor.