Page 142 of Evermore

“Gods can die two ways, by their descendants with a weapon of emotional power, because gods are born of emotions, or by the Fates. The Fates are mostly neutral, but they do have rules we have to abide by. I don’t think he would have been foolish enough to anger the Fates, but Ezra could take Levanya’s life because she was a fallen queen. She ruled over no one and held no more titles or land.”

She slid her hand up my chest, gripping my shirt. “It’s okay that you loved them, you know?” The second those words left her, I caught the fucking wince. “As long as you hate them now.”

“I would forget every single one of them if it meant saving you.”

She winced again as the markings on her arms poured onto the floor. “What’s the plan for the day?”

“Well, that depends on you, really. Are we staying at the castle again?”

“I think we’re having lunch here and staying at the Syndicate house tonight. Quill wants to stop and see the kids on the way, that’s all I know.”

“Any word from Thea?”

“It sounds like she’s been recruiting some of the Salt from Stirling. At this point, she’s got a whole underground secret city and that’s where she’s been staying.”

I nodded, fully aware of Althea’s conglomerate. “Did you tell her what I said?”

“Thea’s always been an optimist. She believes in people. She thinks the mortals will keep their hideout secret because they aren’t going to bite the hand that feeds them.”

“History would prove otherwise, but we’ll cross that bridge when we get there, I’m sure. I need to try to talk to Minerva again before we go. Stubborn old bat.”

The corner of her mouth lifted as the sunlight finally began to creep through the window. “I’m absolutely telling her you said that.”

“Good. I’m not scared of her.”

“Well, that works out because she’s standing right behind you.”

“What?” I whipped around, missing the fucking smile on her face. I didn’t miss the giggle.

“So you’re a little bit scared. That’s probably a good idea. I saw her crack her cane across Tuck’s shins the other day. He deserved it, but still. A healthy dose of fear is fine.”

I spun back to face her. Planting a glare I could barely hold. I dashed forward, snagged her sassy little ass and stormed across the room to drop her on the bed right as she yelped. “Morning Paesha might be my favorite Paesha.” I growled, burying my face into her neck.

“Get off of me, you animal.”

Instead, I smothered her in kisses. Her chin. An ear. Her nose. It wasn’t until I moved lower that I remembered she was naked beneath her robe. I slowed. Stopped entirely. Fighting with myself. With the godsdamn sunlight and the bargain I’d made with Quill.

“Regretting all your choices now aren’t you, Husband,” Paesha crooned, wiggling beneath me.

I ripped her robe open. “Absolutely not.”

I slid myself down her perfect body, kissing, biting. Fucking savoring. She arched on the bed, spreading those godsdamn legsfor me. I kissed the inside of her thighs, letting my teeth graze her skin until she whimpered.

“You will lead and I will follow, love.” I slid a finger down her center. “Tell me what you want.”

“Isn’t it obvious?” she panted as I circled her pretty, little clit.

“Say it,” I demanded, struggling to keep control.

“I want you to fuck me.”

“I’d prefer to taste you first, Paesha darling.”

She let out a gasp as I lowered myself to her center. This needed to be quick, but I hated the thought of anything rushed with her. Fucking hell. She tasted so damn good. She relaxed her legs, burying her hands into my hair as I stroked my tongue over her, moving back and forth, up and down, working in the exact combination I’d already learned she needed.

The sounds she made, those whimpers and gasps as I moved were everything. The crescendo to every song, the climax to every story, the path for every journey. Nothing made me feel more possessive. And she godsdamn knew it.

I slipped a finger inside of her.