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“Right.” Aedon’s eyes glimmer with want. If I had my way, we wouldn’t make it there either, and it’s not even because of how much I hate what we’re about to do.

Aedon hardly seems to be in a hurry. He waits patiently for me to make the first move—to be ready. Those dark stormy eyes are dripping with a challenge. His calm demeanor seeps into my skin and soothes my anxiety. We can do this. We will do this.

We both agreed we're doomed, but we’re doomed together. Whatever comes next we will do it together. Covered in blood or covered in rubies, we’re glued for eternity. He said he would never let me get away, but I’ll never let him leave me either.

We step toward the door, one foot in front of the other, into the beginning of something enigmatically tragic, and I can’t help but smile.

Chapter twenty-two

Josephine

Aedon and I sit across from each other, and I’m squeezed between Minos and Hermes. Quite literally squeezed. How I ended up in this position, I’m not sure. Aedon is clearly amused that the brutes are in full work mode. Hermes is the head of public relations, and Minos is the head of security, both things I should have figured out before now. All I smell is strong cologne. The smell, paired with my nerves, is making me sick.

I hate parties. I hate important parties even more. Here I thought Vivian’s engagement would be the last one I had to participate in, but here I am headed to a gala I don’t want to go to, as a princess—A title I didn’t ask for.

“Can we roll the windows down?” I try to claw for the button, but I can’t reach it over Minos’ massive chest.

Aedon does it for me, his eyes full of concern. I can’t even give him enough of a grin to placate him. I close my eyes and take deep breaths through my nose. It’s a mistake. The cologne overpowers me, and I feel my stomach roll with nausea. There is still another fifteen minutes left of this car ride, and I don’t know if I’ll make it. I squeeze my lids together and try to focus on the sounds of the tires on the road.

“Josephine,” Aedon says sharply.

“Hm?” My head snaps up.

At some point during the drive, I must have fallen asleep. Thank the Universe, or I would have thrown up. Hermes exits the car followed by Minos. They scan the area around us, and an important looking man approaches. I watch them exchange words, overhearing tidbits of information. It’s all jargon about security.

“Holy shit,” Vivian murmurs, staring out of the window.

Looming over us is a massive white building. It kind of looks like a museum with columns and large ornate windows. Blood red carpets flow down the stairs. Not what I expected from Elysium.

Aedon squeezes my knee. “It’s going to be fine, love.”

“Don’t worry, Aedonaeus. She’ll either find a hole to crawl into, or get so drunk she dances on the bar. No in between,” Vivian laughs.

He grimaces. “I hope you’re joking.”

“Guess you’ll find out.” She takes Hermes' outstretched hand and disappears into the open air.

“Give us a moment,” Aedon says to Minos, who shuts the door. “We can go home.”

“No, we can’t. We’re already here. Ten drinks, and I’ll be as happy as Vivian,” I say with fake excitement.

Aedon cocks an eyebrow. “Four.”

“You’re my husband, not my keeper.”

“Spare me the dramatics, Jos,” he says seriously. I hate it when he’s serious. It means I have to listen. “Eris is conniving. Everyone at this party wants something and they all have agendas.”

“And evil and your arch nemesis, blah, blah, blah. Tell me, what exactly do her tits look like?” I ramble.

“Josephine,” he chastises me.

“I hate that fucking name,” I say through gritted teeth.

“Listen to me,” he pleads.

“I get weird when I’m nervous. This isn’t my scene.”

“Everyone is going to be looking at us tonight. We were married out of the public eye, and we haven’t exactly announced it. This will be our first appearance and a shocking one at that. I know you hate it, but as far as the rest of the Universe is concerned, we are the future of the Underworld.”