Page 84

I swayed to the side.

Nero caught me. “Leda?”

“Sorry. The ground tried to eat me.” I burst into laughter, and once I started, I couldn’t stop. “I’m a bit loopy right now. I got a mega-dose of Nectar when Stash tried to blast Grace.” I giggled when I saw her. “Nice outfit.”

Grace’s nightgown was very red and very lacy. It was practically see-through. And Faris still wasn’t wearing a shirt. He’d also managed to make it here very quickly, almost like he’d already been here…

“Ohhhh,” I said as Faris’s soldiers escorted Stash away. “I see what’s happening. You two…” I pointed at my parents. “…are totally having an affair, aren’t you?”

Neither of them said anything.

“Seriously,” I laughed. “Again? Because it went so well the last time?”

“Remember what I said earlier about discretion,” Faris chided me. “And your total lack of it.”

I giggled. “You are lecturing me about discretion? You’re not even wearing a shirt!”

I staggered, and once again, Nero caught me. “Thanks,” I told him. “I’m kind of drunk on Nectar right now.”

Nero’s eyes twinkled. “I hadn’t noticed.” He tightened his hold on me.

And I tightened mine on him, grabbing the collar of his jacket. “You’re so cute when you’re all worried about me.” I slid my hands over his shoulders, down his back, and gave his butt a good, solid squeeze.

“Pandora.” His voice was both a reprimand and an invitation, exactly how I liked him.

“Mmmm?” I rose up to my tiptoes and nipped his lips.

“We are not alone,” he whispered roughly in my ear.

“Oh.” My hands dropped to my sides. “I guess we’re not.” I still couldn’t stop laughing. “Someone slap me.”

“I am happy to do that.” Faris stepped forward.

Nero stepped into his path. And then my husband and my father exchanged a good glower. That made me laugh too.

“I’ve called Dr. Harding,” Nero said. “She will be arriving shortly to check you out.”

“Why?”

“Because you aren’t in your right mind, Pandora.”

“Oh.” I snorted. “Right.” I licked my lips. “Well, I hope Nerissa brings cookies because I’m starving.”

Unfortunately, Nerissa did not bring cookies or anything else to eat. She carried only her medical kit, which honestly didn’t look very tasty. She entered the room, her wide eyes panning across the gathering of deities.

“I’ve never seen so many gorgeous people in one place,” Nerissa commented. “And, Leda, you’re glowing!”

“It must be from all the Nectar,” I giggled. “And the Venom that Bella hit me with earlier today…or was that yesterday? I can’t remember.” I snorted.

“Why don’t you take a seat, and I’ll check you out.” Nerissa indicated the sofa under the window.

In this whole gigantic room, it was the only piece of furniture that was still in one piece. Getting off my feet didn’t sound like the worst idea in the world right now. I was feeling pretty dizzy, so I followed her to the sofa and sat down.

“How are you feeling?” Nerissa asked me, pulling a small device out of her kit. She waved it in front of me.

“Well, I’ve never felt this drunk before.”

“It’s no wonder.” She frowned at the device in her hands. “According to these readings, you have so much Nectar and Venom in your system that you should be dead.”