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And he had a good reason for being that buttoned up. He let loose in private. In ways that made sense and others that were stupid. He knew how I felt about it.

“What did you say to her?” I all but cursed as he approached.

Adrian smiled like a wolf. “Just catching up. And before you ask, no, I didn’t say anything to piss her off. Something I said reminded her of all she’d left behind.”

I could feel my brows pinching together. “What the fuck does that mean?”

Adrian’s response was cut off by two hands clapping down on our shoulders.

I turned to find Sebastian Apollo grinning with drunken euphoria, his hair falling into his forehead. “Gentlemen.”

“Sebastian,” Adrian said carefully while I just gave him a nod in greeting.

I liked Sebastian, he was a friend. But he happened to have a rather loose tongue while drunk that made it hard to fully appreciate him.

“You know, I always loved this party,” he said, his voice somehow still melodic despite his words stringing together on a slight slur. I chuckled in response. Fucking typical for the god of poetry. The sole one, for that matter.

“Glad I could host, then,” I said, feeling more of his weight press into my shoulder, drink stealing his balance. He righted himself quickly, but not without Adrian pushing his tongue into his cheek. A practice in self-restraint.

At least he’d upgraded from literal sparks shooting off his hands.

“You know,” Adrian said smoothly, “I saw someone unloading a case of whiskey behind the bar. Bacchus label, too.”

Sebastian perked up. “Well, it’s been lovely, but my true love calls.” He clapped us both on the shoulder before striding, mostly upright, off in search of his favorite liquor.

“He’s in a mood tonight,” Adrian noted, head tilting in his direction.

I crossed my arms over my chest. “Normal night or a reason?”

Adrian considered for a moment. “Started as a normal night, but then he showed up and someone was here that made him double down.”

“I’m not taking that bet.” Because the fucker was probably right. Always was.

Adrian laughed but didn’t say anything more. I appreciated that he let me sit in silence. Normally, I was the one to carry conversations, but not now. Not when I had half the court jumping down my throat.

As if possessed, my eyes found their way back to Daphne. She was speaking animatedly, drawing the rapt attention of everyone around her.

A distant flicker of retribution passed through my center, seeking payment from the people who’d decided she was unfit to lead.

“You’ve gotten worse at hiding the staring,” Adrian said, breaking the silence. His words didn’t, however, break my stare. I was going to stare all I wanted.

If it made her uncomfortable—and it didn’t look like it—I didn’t care.

“I’m not talking about this with you.”

“You will,” Adrian said. I fought a groan. That was hisI know more than youtone. Unsolicited advice was on its way. “When you’re done being a grumbly asshole, we’ll talk. In the meantime, I need to run something by you.”

That was enough to tear my eyes away from my fiancée. “What is it?”

“I don’t feel there is reason to panic. It’s not at that stage yet,” Adrian said, not giving a name to the conspiracy. “But I’m preparing anyway.”

“What are you doing?”

Adrian took a long drink from his tumbler. “Making sure all heirs are in order. My line is sorted and all other gods that haven't designated yet are getting a subtle hint from me.”

I chuckled low. “Is this one of those subtle hints?” Adrian nodded once, a sharp drop of his chin. “Already done. It’s Eleni. And in case you haven’t gone to Dom and Rose yet, they picked Raiden.”

“I’m sure that’ll last long,” Adrian said through a laugh. “The fucker’s probably begging Rose to let him get her pregnant.”