Page 12 of Crimson Skies

Cassius flushed. His sisters’ presence in the building had not deterred Morgan from ravishing him every single night after their return from the Seventh Purgatory. Then again, he could hardly blame him. Ever since he’d brought his lover back to life in Argent Lake, their lovemaking had become unbelievably intense. Cassius would be lying if he said he wasn’t as addicted to the newfound heights of pleasure they found in each other’s arms as Morgan clearly was.

Tisiphone’s expression glazed over. “Shit. We better make sure we keep a close eye on Menippe when she gets here. She’s definitely the type to peek at them while they’re in the throes of passion.”

“We should send a note to Thetis and Dione,” Orena said primly.

Cassius swallowed a sigh. Morgan was still pissed at the youngest Nereid Goddess for kissing him when he and Tisiphone had gone to the Astrea Sea.

“How was New York?” Lilaia asked them anxiously.

Cassius and Victor traded a guarded look.

“It was touch and go for a moment.” Victor busied himself making their drinks. “Atropos convinced them to see sense in the end.”

“I got the feeling you might have burned the building down if I hadn’t intervened,” Atropos said sedately.

Victor didn’t bat an eyelid.

“Is Ivmir rubbing off on him?” Orena asked Tenebra.

“Probably.”

“We should be able to coordinate our forces with the human armies in the coming days,” Cassius told Lilaia.

Phebei stirred in her mother’s arms. The Nymph hushed the little girl to sleep before studying Cassius and Atropos thoughtfully. “Will their role still be to safeguard the conclaves where this realm’s inhabitants will go into hiding?”

“Yes,”Atropos replied. “I am in agreement with Icarus and Coraos on this matter. Earth’s forces won’t stand a chance in the face of Elios’s main army, but they should be able to manage the lesser demons and monsters he will send to decimate the human race while we’re engaged in the main battle.”

The memory of how Elios had looked the last time he’d seen him sent a chill down Cassius’s spine. Though Theo had pierced the God of Darkness with the Spear of Light, it was Morgan who’d inflicted the most damage when he’d cut off his half-brother’s hand with the Sword of Wind, a feat which should have been impossible by all accounts.

Even Elios had been stunned by the price he’d ended up paying that day.

Atropos suspected Morgan’s latest abilities were a direct result of what Cassius had done to revive him outside the Garden of the West.

Heat flared through Cassius’s belly. He blinked before spinning around and looking out over the city, the elation quickening his pulse spreading through his entire body on a wave that made him dizzy with relief.

“Morgan’s back.”

He headed briskly for the terrace, the others on his heels.

The demigod appeared in the distance to the west, his gray wings nearly invisible against the pale clouds dotting the sky as he arrowed rapidly toward their building.

A mage floated behind him inside a sphere of fire.

Victor observed Santiago Ortega with a faint frown. “Looks like he and Francis found the guy they were looking for.”

Morgan landed in front of Cassius, took him in his arms, and kissed him with enough strength to make him gasp. Love and desire stormed Cassius as he welcomed his soulmate’s searing touch and masterful lips. He clenched his hands on Morgan’s chest and pulled him closer.

Morgan let out a heartfelt groan. He slipped a leg between Cassius’s thighs and dropped a hand to his ass.

Lilaia cleared her throat discreetly.

“There’s a child present,” Orena rebuked them.

Morgan stilled, his expression growing chagrined.

“Why is it you’re always surrounded by irritating people?” he said against Cassius’s lips, his turquoise eyes full of a light that made him shiver at the same time it warmed his heart.

“They’re your sisters,” Cassius mumbled.