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Samkiel’s smile faltered, and he reached for a bottle of shampoo. “I killed Porphyrion.”
Samkiel had told me about Porphyrion the other night while we ate—the giant they’d found locked up in Yejedin. I pushed from the counter and joined him in the shower, running my hands over his body, looking for wounds this time.
A growl of pleasure rumbled in his chest as my fingers danced over the slick hard ridges and planes of muscles. I put my hands on my hips, ignoring the water soaking my hair and clothes.
“Are you hurt? I told you—”
“You told me what?”
I glared and pinched his side. He jerked away and glared at me. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine, and you have no right to take me to task for doing something risky when you traveled back to Onuna while Kaden is hunting you,” he said, rubbing the shampoo into his hair, his biceps flexing.
I pursed my lips and flicked water at him before sitting on the shower bench. “Fair.”
He chuckled and ducked his head, stepping beneath the water to rinse the soap from his hair. I watched the water cascade over his shoulders and down the sleek, powerful lines of his back and—
“He told me about Kaden and who he really is.”
Cool dread crawled over me, replacing the warmth of my desire.
“What?”
He turned toward me and picked up the soap, rubbing it over his abdomen. “You won’t believe it.”
“Who is he?”
“One of my father’s ex-generals.”
“Your father?”
He nodded as he washed his groin. He handled his cock with brisk practicality, but I still had to glance away from how mouthwatering he looked.
“Yes, along with two others who presumably died in the Gods War.” He lathered one powerful muscled thigh, then the other. “Kaden created the Kings of Yejedin, which is why they were so fiercely loyal to him. It makes sense now why he hates me so much. If there was a falling out with my father, or if he did not support my birth.” He sighed. “Just more ancient enemies, as if I do not have enough.”
“One,” I said, holding up my finger. Samkiel glanced toward me, reaching for his feet. “One powerful enemy left. I killed Tobias and Alistair, so as soon as whatever the fuck is blocking me is gone, I’ll—” I stopped. I wasn’t alone anymore. No. I needed to learn that, too. “We will kill him, too.”
He grinned. “Flirt.”
I smiled as he stepped under the full spray, a weird sense of relief washing over me. I knew I should care more about Kaden being some overpowered general, but the truth was, I didn’t give a shit about Kaden. Not anymore. I only cared about this man.
A lock on a door in a house rattled.
“Well,” I said, unable to deal with the strength of my reaction to him right now. “At least we have some answers now.”
“He said something else, though. Of course, he reminded me how my family had lied, but he also talked about me, what I’ve done, what I was trained to do, and who I am. Then I proved him right by ending him. It just makes me feel….” He paused, and I caught the change in his mood.
“Makes you feel like the old you?”
“Yes.” He nodded. “I wanted to be Liam after Rashearim fell, but every time I turn around, I am reminded that I am and will always be Samkiel. The World Ender. Feared among stars and realms. A king. A conqueror. I don’t want to be feared.” He sighed and turned the water off. “I just want to help people.”
“You do. You have.” I stood up and grabbed two towels. Stepping in front of him, I handed him one for his hair and dragged the other towel over his shoulders and arms. “You’re the strongest being I know.” I slid the soft cloth over his chest and abdomen as he rubbed at his hair. “You are truly good, no matter what label the old gods or the world give you.” I dropped to my knees, drying off his thighs, one leg at a time. “You’re never scared of anything.”
“Debatable.” Samkiel’s voice had dropped an octave. His cock twitched, and I smiled up at him, happy to see those storm-colored eyes sparking with desire rather than swimming in pain.
I stood and moved around him. I dried the water from his broad shoulders and back. “You are brave and sweet, and you have saved my life more than once. You risk your life for others with no regard for what happens to you.” I pulled on his arm, turning him to face me. “I’ve heard the stories. Gods, I’ve seen half of them in the blooddreams.” I wrapped the towel around him and tugged him closer. “You are both equal parts your mother and father. Strong and resilient like him. Kind and compassionate like her. You’re a protector, a guardian, and,” I reached up and wrapped my hand around the back of his neck, pulling him down to me as I went to my tiptoes, “my best friend.”
A smile lit his face, chasing the shadows from his eyes. I ran my thumb against his jaw. “I liked everything until that last part,” he said.
