Page 126 of The Gods Forbid

Anders nodded slowly, needing to respect Adrian’s authority for a moment. But it was clear that he was evaluating my reaction. Catching on to the strain in my voice.

I smiled through it, setting it in place so that he knew it wasn’t the time to press.

With another nod and quick kiss on the cheek, Anders left in search of his date for the evening. I had half the mind to beg him to stay.

To give me just a small break from Sebastian.

My feet must have been moving towards the nearest exit on their own regard, because Sebastian’s voice called after me. “Now hold on, love. Don’t go running off.”

His voice sounded normal, mostly that low but casual tone I’d grown so used to. But there was an undercurrent of something darker that made me stop dead in my tracks.

I didn’t turn, having to choose between the lesser of two evils and let Sebastian crowd my space from behind. I wasn’t sure I could keep my thoughts off my face, though I was hardly any good at it to begin with.

Maybe I would have to flee, especially if any ounce of what I felt for him appeared on my face.

Sebastian stepped closer, an inch closer than normal, his heat enveloping me. I caught a shiver at the very last moment, my shoulders still pinching together.

“I’m not,” I said, breathing in. “You’re the guest of honor. And you’re already late.”

This time, I wouldn’t stop if he told me to. I started walking briskly towards the door, trying not to focus too hard on the sound of Sebastian’s footsteps as he followed me.

The second we left the gallery, we could hear the voices from the party. But as we approached, they started to get louder and louder until I felt every one of their voices like lances to the skin.

I was feeling too much to be around this many people. This was good. Sebastian probably didn’t want me following him around while he reconnected with old friends and patrons.

Guards snapped to attention as we walked through the back hallway, scrambling to open the doors to let us inside.

The second we stepped through the massive wood doors, coming under a dome thousands of years old that was so well-designed and so well-adorned it looked no more than a few days since its reveal, the party came to a screeching halt.

Every eye in the room swung towards us and my body immediately felt hot with the pressure of their attention.

It was Adrian’s voice, cutting through the silence from the other end of the room, that came next. “Lord Apollo, everyone.”

While every gaze in the room swung to Sebastian, I took the opportunity to inch to the side and down the curved staircase.

“Happy to be here. Though I would be happier with a glass of champagne in my hand,” Sebastian said, commanding the entire room with a smile and a few words. While everyone laughed in response, I made it down the stairwell, fully intending on finding the nearest corner to collect myself in.

Sebastian’s hand wrapped around my upper arm a second later. “I recall you promising to keep me company. You wouldn’t be reneging on a promise, would you?”

I breathed in, my throat tight. I’d made that promise over a week ago, in between Sebastian cooking and me reading. Things were different now. “I’m simply letting you do what you want. We’ll go home together … We will leave together—at the same time. Go. Be Apollo.”

Sebastian pulled lightly on my arm, making me face him. His eyes were serious as he said, “Don’t have much interest in that.”

“Yes you do.” It had taken him all of three seconds to slip back into his role as a beloved god. Though I knew he didn’t care for the same level of fame he’d had before, this was the one day a year where he deserved the spotlight. “I can practically see you buzzing with excitement. Go.” I knew that wasn’t true, but I needed space.

Sebastian’s eyes narrowed. I’d never been able to hide from him. “You are wildly misjudging me this evening.”

I held his eyes, unable to do anything but look at him with drawn brows.

“Fine.” Sebastian said, his eyes bouncing over my face and exposed chest. “For now.”

I watched as he walked away, walking into the crowd. A line was already forming near him, people about ready to fall over themselves to get even a minute of his attention.

I stood back and watched as people fell in love with Apollo all over again, feeling nothing but understanding in my chest.

➸

“Dance with me.”