Page 56 of A Crown of Hopes and Sorrows

We reached my door, and Zephyrus sighed. “Zeus has been losing support for decades. He cares only for his own power. Others grow tired of it.” His eyes grew piercing. “It seems that even human followers of his begin to turn away?”

I hesitated, but the moment for declarations was now. I didn’t trust Zephyrus, and whatever his own agenda was—the lower gods against the high ones—would certainly cause issues for my father and our plans to align with Jupiter against the reigning high gods. But I had no belief that he’d disclose us to Zeus as he didn’t wish to unnecessarily draw Zeus’ attention to himself for his own means. And for Zephyrus to believe that we were on his side—regardless of reality—until I had time to discuss this new information with Father, would give us the upper hand in deciding.

“Our kingdom grows weary of Zeus’ demands and punishments as well. You’re right.” I shrugged. “This is the reason I traveled here.”

Zephyrus’ expression glittered with excitement, his shoulders rising with a breath. “You came to the right place, then.”

“I hope we can consider you friends.”

“Or perhaps more, even?” He traced his finger over my shoulder.

Shit. I cleared my throat and grabbed his hand, sliding my fingers over his even though it sent a jolt of revulsion through me. “Zephyrus, I think, if we mean to be potential allies, it would be best if we kept things professional between us.” I gave his palm a squeeze before dropping it. “Even if we had a lovely night together in our history.”

His lips pinched, and he paused for a moment. I waited, afraid I’d given myself away. Worried that he’d see through everything, but he sighed and bobbed his head. “You’re right. Though that’s disappointing.”

I offered him a smile. “Good night.”

“Sleep well.” He bowed and clipped back down the hall.

Exhaustion wrapped around my muscles as I stepped into the room and closed the door behind me. Hades’ realm, the day had lasted for a hundred lifetimes. I peeled my robe and shirt off like I could remove the place and the trip from my flesh. Gods was it a relief to finally be away from all the people and politics and worries and Zephyrus. Especially him.

Flames from the fireplace reflected in the mirror, its apricot sparks dancing around the ivory bricks, casting warmth over all the textures of the room.

A knock sounded, breaking into the peacefulness.

It was well past the moon rise, and I didn’t know who might visit me so late.

Unless it was Zephyrus and he had changed his mind.

My heart picked up, and I clenched my jaw.

I rose, the stool scraping the floor, and approached the door, opening it a crack. “Yes?”

Apollo stood in the hallway, a veil swallowing his luminance, his chin raised, his eyes in shadows. I snatched his arm, dragging him in, and shut the door closed with a thud. “Apollo,” I breathed. “What are you doing here?”

He frowned, his nose flaring. “Why?” He skimmed his gaze down my bare chest. “Expecting someone else?”

I sucked in a breath. That comment ached through me after an already endlessly long day. And I had spent a huge portion of it worrying over him, at that. “Is that a serious question?”

“You tell me, Cyn.” He crossed his arms, lifting his chin where he could take in the rich fabrics and tall ceilings of the room. “You and Zephyrus seemed almost cozy by the end of the night.”

A puff of a breath passed my lips. Annoyance tangled in my heart, buzzing and zipping through me, heating my blood. But there was something in the jut of Apollo’s chin, the way he held his posture, the clench of his jaw. Something insecure draped in the mask of defiance.

And that was a soothing balm to my own rankled pride. I had just wondered about the woman he spent part of the evening with, after all. And I’d decided that jealousy wasn’t because of a lack of trust in him, but because I had missed him, longed for him. Apollo had to feel the same for me in reverse and that was what this was really about.

I took a deep breath and sauntered over to him, the rug scraping against my bare feet until I stood close enough that his tunic grazed my chest. I brushed my nose along his cheek and whispered against the grit of his jaw. “Are you feeling jealous now, my lord?”

He growled and gripped his fingers into the back of my neck, bruising his mouth against mine, his touch bitter and possessive. His tongue parted my lips. He jerked his hands free, snagging my hips and shoving me against the wall. I grunted at the impact, and his veil slipped, his golden eyes glowing brighter than the fire. “Yes, Cyn.” He kissed me hard again, his hands roaming my body hungrily. Our mouths parted, and he frowned, hissing the words out. “I am. Are you enjoying my discomfort?”

I smiled, feathering my fingers down his arm. “Well, presently, with how this is playing out, yes.”

His eyes roamed me, and he tangled against me, snagging my lip between his teeth. He kissed me hard, the rough texture of his hands scraping along my skin. He leaned back, his gaze piercing. “You’re mine.”

I studied him. “Am I?”

He growled again, and the sound vibrated against me. “Do you not wish to be?”

I trailed my fingers over his thighs, up along his hips, under the fabric of his clothing, over the panes of his stomach. I pulled the tunic off of him, letting it fall to the stone floor. His expression drilled into me. “Come.” I grasped his hand. “Let me show you what I wish for.”