Page 123 of The Gods Forbid

Especially when Persy got a wistful look in her eyes. “I need to go shopping.”

“Take Nikolas,” I suggested. “He and Kostas will probably come.”

The second Persy clapped her hands together in excitement, I decided this was a good idea. By then, I’d have heirs set up. I could make sure my family knew that this was fucking over. I’d get to see Persy in a dress.

Seemed great to me.

Though after Persy and I spoke for a little longer and she’d slipped out to her studio, all the confidence behind that decision faded, leaving a pit in my stomach.

Because this wasn’t funny anymore.

I could find humor in most things in my life.

Hell, that was how I’d continued leading a conspiracy I didn’t truly care about for so long. I’d turned it into some sort of game, one where I found manipulation and planning humorous.

The teasing and sly comments to see that maddening blush rise to Persy’s cheeks had once been entertaining. Not in the way of making fun of her, not in the slightest. But I got some type of joy from knowing I got to her.

I used to have to fight a smile thinking about it.

That wouldn’t be a problem anymore.

Because none of this shit is funny, not when time was slipping away and I’d be forced to leave her, when every ounce of my body and power was joining her here.

Chapter 27

Persy

“I instated heirs.”

In one simple sentence, Sebastian managed to break my heart.

I froze at the stove, the steam from the pot of water I was boiling doing nothing to help the threat of tears building in my eyes. It had been a short two weeks since Sebastian had told me that he was going to throw a party for his honoring day. A party that was tonight.

And he decided that now was a perfect time to tell me that he’d ticked off the very last requirement of his time here—other than drawing his family out.

I breathed in, blinking rapidly to clear any haziness in my eyes, and turned to him. “That’s great to hear.”

Fuck, even those words sounded thin and fragile. I was never a good liar.

Sebastian looked at me, his eyes narrowing, like he could just tell that I hadn’t told the truth. Damn him. “That’s all you have to say? You don’t want to double check?”

I trusted him. More than I cared to admit. “I’ll have Anders check.” As the Roman god of childbirth, Anders would be able to tell if Sebastian’s line was protected.

Sebastian nodded. “Tonight, then. Most of the gods will be there.”

“I’d expect them to,” I said. “Party of the year and all.”

Sebastian rounded the corner, coming so close to me, he forced me to look directly at him. “See, you say that, and yet you’ve never been in attendance.”

“How do you know that?” He was always the center of attention wherever he went, let alone a party in his honor.

I didn’t realize I’d dropped eye contact until his finger hooked under my chin, lightly pushing my face up. I swallowed thickly, the touch burning into every inch of my body. “I’d know.”

I felt like he’d just stabbed me in the chest. He couldn’t say things like that, not when he was leaving. As calmly as I could, I said, “I’m going to get ready.”

I’d stepped out a few days ago to go shopping with Rose, feeling a horrible sense of pressure to find a new dress, one that drove Sebastian as crazy as he made me. Even if that was undeserved.

Sebastian let me step away from him, though I felt his eyes like a hot brand while I turned to find a tea cup. Before I could, his form eclipsed the sun streaming in the windows, leaning close as he reached over my shoulder and grabbed a mug for me and quickly made my tea.