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Pandora’s eyebrows lifted. “Ah, I understand. You weren’t in your room this time, were you?” She crossed her arms and gave him a smug smile. “Where were you, Sol? Were you in another woman’s chambers? Were you embarrassed to have such a lesser god as me requesting your presence?” She paused, scrutinizing him, the rigid set to his shoulders, the stiff fists at his side.
No, if Sol had been with another woman, he wouldn’t have been this furious. He would have merely laughed it off.
What would have gotten him so angry?
Cold realization settled along Pandora’s skin. “You were with Apollo.”
“Yes,” Sol seethed. “And do you know what he told me? He felt the presence of dark magic—Pandora’s magic—against the wards early this morning. He strengthened the wards in time to deflect it, but without Hestia here, he can’t fully reinforce them. Dammit, Trivia, he is furious with us. Furious with me! What the hell were you doing yesterday? I thought you intended to strengthen the wards so this wouldn’t happen!”
Pandora’s eyes widened as she struggled to process this information.
Her spell had worked. Pandora’s magic had tried to get through.
But Apollo had been alerted. And he’d stopped it.
Now he was suspicious of her.
Shit, shit, shit…
“This is the one thing you’re good for, Trivia,” Sol spat, his face contorted with rage. “The only reason we allowed you to stay here. If you aren’t able to do this one simple task, then maybe you should leave the realm.”
Pandora’s mind finally caught up, and she stared hard at Sol. “You really are a child, aren’t you? Poor little Sol got reprimanded by Papa, so he’s taking it out on me. Understand this: it isn’t my fault Apollo has no faith in you. It isn’t my fault he already believes you to be incompetent, and this incident is only further proof of that. I was doing my job yesterday. And what were you doing? Swimming in the godsdamned sea! Did you tell Apollo that? When you should have been assisting me, you neglected your duties to play instead.”
Sol stepped closer to her. Though he stood taller than her, she still glared up at him, refusing to back down. “Understand this, little goddess: I don’t give a shit about you or your magic. I don’t give a shit where you live. You can crawl into Tartarus and rot for all I care. You are nothing. And you always will be.”
Pandora offered him a cruel smile. “You can’t hurt me, Sol. But it’s cute that you think your words mean anything to me.” She scoffed and shook her head. “And to think I was actually worried about you.”
His brows knitted together. “What?”
Damn. She hadn’t meant to say that aloud.
Half Sol’s mouth quirked upward in that infuriating smirk. But coupled with the rage in his eyes, the expression was downright terrifying, like a predator closing in on its prey. “You were worried about me? Ah, Trivia. Perhaps I should have warned you about the effect I have on women. I can’t say I’m sorry you fell victim to my charms.”
Pandora rolled her eyes. “Get over yourself, Sol. I was only worried you wouldn’t survive when you leave for the mortal realm tomorrow. But now?” She shrugged. “I hope the humans destroy you. And when they do, I will only laugh.”
Sol’s smirk faded, and the bright fury in his eyes dimmed. “Ah. Yes. No doubt you heard Apollo will be announcing my appointment at the ball tonight.” He tilted his head at her, looking her over. “And that made you worried?”
Pandora threw her hands in the air. “After last night? Yes.”
“Last night?”
“Do you not remember? You were… not yourself.”
“I was taking a midnight stroll.”
“You were staring at the ocean as if you wanted to drown yourself.”
Sol’s mouth curved upward again. “Well damn, Pandora. You do have a heart.” He pressed a hand to his chest and gave her a look of mock sympathy. “Did you pity the poor god? Did you fall for my act last night?” He snorted and shook his head. “You are as shallow as the other goddesses I lure to my bed.”
Pandora stepped back. “That was an act?”
Sol barked out a laugh. “Of course it was! Do you really think I would be sitting out there reflecting on my feelings of my own accord? You think it was mere coincidence I ran into you? No. I heard you climb down from your balcony, so I positioned myself in your path, hoping to snare you.” He sighed. “I truly thought it would work. But perhaps it was for the best. If I’d shared my bed with you, you only would have come begging for more.”
Pandora shoved his shoulders hard, and he stumbled backward. “You asshole! I hope the humans tear you to pieces. Gods, I hate you.”
“The feeling is quite mutual, little goddess.”
She shoved him again, but this time he caught her wrists, pinning them against his chest. “Call me that again, and I’ll?—”
