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And he was mine. Waiting for me to take him.
“If we’ve got it right, and the prophecy is referring to those three goddesses, they or something that represents them will be in the same place—standing guard over the trap. That’s not going to be many places,” he said. “Not in Deucalion.”
I flicked to the bracelet. “Selene?” I whispered.
“I can think of no such place, but that is good.”
“It is?”
“Yes. The gods went through great pains that no one should be able to locate my prison, least of all me. You know there’s a barrier of forgetfulness around the entrance. It resists even my godly power still clinging to the earth.
“Your lover is right. Find the goddesses, and you will find me.”
“He’s not my lover.” I bit my lip, holding back a smile. “Yet.”
“Did you say something?” With the echidna reduced to a pile of stuffing, Alex and his axe moved on to another monster dummy.
“What is that?”
“Manticore,” he replied. “Head of a man, body of a lion, and tail of a scorpion.”
“Ick. I don’t want to know what was going on during that orgy.”
Alex burst out laughing. “Gods, Aella, no one can make me laugh as hard as you. You’re just...”
“Just what?”
“Different,” he said, crouching down next to me. His smile made my lips numb and thighs hot. “From anyone I’ve ever met. You make me feel like I can be different too.”
“You shouldn’t be different.” I was proud for not fainting. All the blood was rushing to my head. “You’re perfect the way you are.”
“Ugh. This is repulsive.”
His smile dimmed. “You didn’t know me before. But I’m glad you know me now. The guy I was wasn’t worthy of you. I pray the guy I am now can come close.”
“I’ll let you know,” I teased.
Winking, he resumed beheading the awful part-man, part-lion beast.
“Can I ask you something else?” I spoke up.
“Course.”
“Why does Sirena go around telling everyone that you two are engaged?”
He blew out a breath. “We’re not engaged.”
“I hope not, or you’re very blatant about cheating.”
“There’s no cheating.” Alex gave up on practice and dropped down next to me. “It’s an old and outdated tradition for the Hera and Zeus council people to get married. Nobody expects that anymore. My dad didn’t even follow the tradition. But Sirena...” He drifted off, shrugging his shoulders. “She’s very traditional.”
“Still, tradition can’t be the only reason why she thinks you’re going to marry her. Were you two ever...?”
“No,” he said clearly, bumping my shoulder. “We never. But we’re friends. Always have been. I trust her. She trusts me.Lots of people, including her mother, believe the match makes sense. As Aphrodite councilwoman, she must approve all noble matches. She’s made it clear she’ll only approve of a match between me and her daughter. Hence why everyone believes the marriage is as good as done.” Alex shook his head. “Doesn’t matter what they think. I’ve waited a long time for my freedom. To finally make my own choices and have a say. I’m not giving in to what others expect of me.
“Not anymore.”
It was me who slid my fingers across the mat. Me, who weaved them through his. “What will you do? If her mother won’t approve any match that isn’t Sirena.”
