Page 53 of Queen of Tempests and Sin

We all agreed.

‘When’s the next auction?’ Hades asked.

‘Theseus is still digging. He’ll let me know as soon as another is announced,’ I said.

Hades gave a grim smile. ‘Looks like we’re going to an auction, Brothers.’

CHAPTER 20

CORDELIA

Ipeeled my eyes open, momentarily disorientated, then remembered where I was.

I yawned widely and snuggled into the fleecy comforter, wondering why I hadn’t seen Si since he left for his meeting with Zeus.

Unease settled over me like a prickly blanket. I wasn’t sure if it was the thought of the reason for their discussions—most likely Ixion—or the fact that I was missing him. That thought extremely irked me. The arrogant, beautiful god of the sea was totally off limits, and the fact that I was like a walking hormone in his presence seriously pissed me off.

Guinn and I had spent all afternoon with Sephy. Hades had cooked and left us a delicious meal of cheesy asparagus orzotto, and Sephy and I polished off a bottle of red wine between laughs. The queen of the underworld was a dynamo—funny as hell, full of stories, sass, and that weird goddess sparkle. Honestly, I think Guinn had a full-blown girl crush.

Our chat was easy and relaxed without rehashing the trauma of the last seventy-two hours, but I caught Sephy casting me sly glances, clearly itching to still grill me about Si.

Guinn and I had retired early; both exhausted after our ordeals. Sephy promised to collect us before breakfast—mercifully, since I was convinced we’d die of starvation before we found the kitchen in the labyrinthine that was Hades’ House.

She’d also handed me a stack of books on the gods and Greek mythology. ‘Some cozy bedtime reading,’ she’d said with a grin. I made it through two and a half chapters before bone-deep exhaustion dragged me under.

I jumped from the bed and padded over to the interconnecting doors, knocking gently. ‘Guinn,’ I said softly, peeking in. A lump under the comforter told me she was still sleeping, so I returned to my bedroom and headed to the bathroom and that clawfoot bathtub. I washed my hair and scrubbed my body in the warm water, then topped it up, pouring a heap of jasmine-scented bath salts into the water. The air fogged with steam, and muscles relaxed, so I let my eyes slip closed.

‘Good morning, Little Red.’ That deep baritone voice caused my eyes to snap open. There he was, the swoon-worthy king of the sea, standing arms crossed, and leaning against the doorframe, looking like a model from GQ centrefold. Damn him.

Faded jeans clung to his long legs, and a deep-blue fitted Henley stretched across his broad shoulders and clung to his muscled chest and abs—and you guessed it—a hot, tight shiver ran through me, and my lady parts tingled. I cursed my ridiculous body. His silver-blond hair was half in a topknot, and his green-blue eyes roved my face before grazing down my body, causing my nipples to harden.

For fuck’s sake. I was about to punch myself in the kisser.

‘I’m in the bath!’ I snapped, gripping the sides of the tub.

‘So I see.’ His voice turned husky, and a smirk pulled on those kissable lips. I glanced down and raised a brow at the long, hard length pressing against his jeans.

He winked at me, saying, ‘I’ve brought you both breakfast.’ Then he walked out, leaving me simmering with irritation.

I squeezed my hair dry, brushed it, and tied it in a messy bun, and, once dried off, I wrapped myself in a soft, fluffy robe. I found Guinn and Si sitting at the dining table, digging into a selection of various croissants and Danish pastries, along with juices and enough coffee to bless the gods.

Si glanced up at me, his gaze lingering with blatant appreciation. I ignored the heat creeping up my neck as I took a seat next to Guinn, poured a coffee, and grabbed an almond croissant.

Then Guinn struck.

‘So,’ she said through a mouthful of pastry as she eyed Si. ‘What are your intentions with my sister?’

I tried not to choke on the slurp of coffee I almost inhaled. ‘Guinn!’ I hiss-coughed.

Si laughed softly. ‘Purely honourable, Guinn. I assure you.’ He gave her a little nod and took a bite of Danish like he hadn’t just walked in on me naked in a bath fifteen minutes ago.

‘They’d better be.’ She gave him a once-over before she resumed stuffing her big fat mouth. I gave him an apologetic look, but he merely gave me a sheepish grin.

‘Have you had sex with her? Because she won’t tell me,’ Guinn said without even lifting her eyes.

‘Guinn!’ I snapped. Heat scalded my cheeks, creeping down my throat to my chest, and I resisted the urge to wipe a hand across my sweaty forehead. ‘My sex life is none of your godsdamned business!’ I growl-hissed. Si was unperturbed as he drank his coffee, his lips twitching with a tampered smile.

Guinn, in full teenage glory, rolled her entire head instead of just her eyes. Her dramatics were on point—as usual. ‘Come on Cordie,’ Guinn said as she took a drink, glaring at Si again. ‘None of us are oblivious to the gods and their shenanigans.’