Page 29

Upon periodic returns to the Peaks for intermissions of rest, Envy would often retire here, to his private sanctuary. But after being ostracized, he hadn’t anticipated seeing it again.

Presently, he relishes this moment, which alleviates the howling agony of his injury. But he can’t recall tucking himself in, nor disrobing himself, nor dressing his fractures.

Who had done that? Who had tended to him?

That’s when an ominous presence invades his consciousness, a grim and sinister essence disturbing the environment. He senses evil nearby, stinking of pessimism and misery.

Envy curls his nose. He peers around, searching for a horrible outfit and unkempt hair the shade of anguish.

The cavern’s threshold extends to a lagoon and its lush footpath border. His gaze lands on a figure settled at the water’s edge. Her profile faces him as she consults the dome of stars and planets. Her tresses quiver in the breeze, and her skirt puddles around her thighs, enabling her limbs to dip into the lagoon.

Sorrow’s here, infesting his refuge. For no apparent reason, the echo of lapping water sends a fissure down his shoulder blades. She looks out of place.

Yet not as much as she should. There’s something appealing about her ensconced in his domain, surrounded by All Things Envy.

He shakes his head. What is wrong with him? Why can’t he stop staring at this morose female? Why has he frequently stolen glances at her, from the time of their youth? Why has he expelled so much of his reserves antagonizing her?

Why does he care what she thinks of him? Why, the one deity who cares what no one thinks of her?

Condemnation. Of all the immortals to be sequestered with. At least, the goddess had elected to nurse instead of hex him while he slept.

But Fates. Why her? Why is it always her?

Despite their upbringing, plus the fact that he’s been inside her, it’s hardly unusual that he knows so little about Sorrow. That same rule applies to numerous other partners on his roster.

All the same, none of the gods and goddesses that he’d fucked have ever provoked him, with words and silence, with grunts and glares. None have ever slithered beneath his flesh. None have ever been as unimpressed with Envy, even after their lust faze began.

Envy sniffs. He must be drowsy if he’s making little sense.

Outside the cavern, his old, tethered boat bobs in the lagoon. Beyond that, a slit of water reveals the inlet from which they’d traveled.

It’s nighttime, the constellations chipping at the violet hemisphere. According to a rumored myth amongst his people, the stars will shine their greatest when a deity asks for the truth. But a deity will only receive the truth if he or she is ready to hear the answer.

There’s another condition attached to the myth, but Envy’s too lazy to review it.

He supposes a declaration of gratitude is in order. Not that Sorrow shall want it, or that she’s ever wanted anything of substance from him—aside from his cock.

He can’t blame her for that. He possesses a glorious cock.

Envy smirks, then sweeps the blanket aside. Gaining his feet, he saunters to the threshold, careful not to aggravate his ribs as he leans against the frame. The instant he does, Sorrow tenses from scalp to knees.

“Sexy view,” he intones, his voice husky and rumpled from slumber.

Sorrow huffs. She kicks her legs through the water, causing it to swat the rocky outcropping. “Flattery will get you nowhere.”

As if it ever has with her. At least not when it’s come to anything meaningful.

“I meant the lagoon,” Envy clarifies blandly, savoring the bolt of embarrassed pink that streaks up her cheek. For good measure, and perhaps out of genuine curiosity, he adds, “Even if I’d been referring to you, do you even know how to take compliment?”

“You’re welcome for the mending, by the way.”

“Much obliged, by the way.”

Nothing but a grunt. They’d gotten here at dawn, which means that he’d spent the day blacked out. She must be exhausted from their jaunt as well.

“The cavern has plenty of alcoves to use for a bedroom,” he invites.

“I’m not tired,” she lies. “I tried but can’t sleep.”