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“If you like those, you really have to try the breaded pork,” I told my parents, indicating the full tray of appetizers balanced on a passing waiter’s hand.
As they chased after the waiter to demand a divine offering of snacks, I scooted closer to Stash. “Do you think I should tell them that those fancy appetizers they’re enjoying so much are actually dressed-up corndogs?” I asked him, watching my parents devour the appetizers.
“Only if you want this party to end in an inquisition,” he replied with a crooked grin.
I grinned back at him. “That might be fun.”
His forest-green eyes twinkled with amusement. “Why do you enjoy inciting chaos, Leda?”
“It’s all in the name, coz,” I replied with a smirk. “Angel of Chaos.”
He nodded. “You certainly live up to that name and then some.”
“Yeah, well, I do enjoy exceeding people’s expectations.” I linked my arm in his, directing us toward the server with the platter full of cupcakes. “So how did you get stuck on Faris bodyguard detail?”
“Lord Faris does not require protection,” Stash said in perfect monotone, as though he were reciting a line that Faris had fed him.
“He will if he makes a move to nab my daughter,” I replied.
“He wouldn’t do that in front of Ronan.”
“Or Grace,” Aerilyn added, linking up to my free arm just as I was about to snatch a big, juicy chocolate cupcake off the platter.
My parents’ choices of bodyguards were indeed interesting. They’d each brought along a demi-deity, instead of any one of the many god or demon soldiers they had at their disposal.
But why?
Honestly, I had no idea. The only thing I did know was their choice had to be significant. And even more significant was the fact that they’d both made the same choice.
“What are Grace and Faris planning?” I asked my cousins.
“What do you mean?” Aerilyn asked.
“Why did they come here?”
“Uh, because you invited them?” she suggested.
Yes, I had invited them, but only because I’d had no choice. You didn’t just not invite a demon or a god to their own granddaughter’s birthday party. Deities had gone to war over far less than that.
Still, I hadn’t really expected them to come—and certainly not together. They were playing a dangerous game. I was sure of it. I just hoped I figured out what that game was before it was too late.
“Does Faris ever talk about Sierra?” I asked Stash.
“Not really.”
“Probably too busy talking about himself,” Aerilyn quipped.
Stash snorted.
“What about Grace?” I asked Aerilyn. “Does she talk about my daughter?”
“Sure, all the time. She also has pictures of Sierra all over her throne room.” Aerilyn’s eyes flitted to my daughter. “She’s a gorgeous kid, Leda. She must take after her father.” Her mouth twitched.
But my mind was too focused on figuring out what my parents were plotting to enter into a banter battle with my mischievous cousin. Faris and Grace had made no secret of the fact that they had plans for Sierra.
I didn’t trust them. Especially Faris. Just because he was mostly leaving Sierra alone for now, that didn’t mean he wasn’t making plans. He was biding his time. Sooner or later, he would make his move, and I had to be ready.
“I think I need something sweet and full of chocolate,” I told my cousins, then rushed off after the cupcake-carrying server. I grabbed the whole platter and then, like a cat, retreated to a safe spot with my prize.
