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“No, no, it’s fine,” Reagan says. “I have a painting to finish.”
Caius whispers something to her, and she plants another quick kiss on his mouth before climbing to her feet and leaving us.
When we’re alone, he says, “What’s on your mind?”
“I would like to speak with you about my service here.”
“Your service,” he repeats with something like suspicion.
“As you know, I have loyally served under your leadership since I came to Tartarus.”
At that, he chuckles. “As I recall, you didn’t have a choice since your heritage requires you to be bonded to another being as a matter of survival. I also recall that you made my life hell for it at first.”
“How about we focus on the last four thousand years,” I shoot back wryly.
He grins. “Took you a while to come around, General.”
The joke is short-lived as I focus on what I came to say. “During that time, I’ve never once asked you for anything.”
His grin disappears, and he studies me. “No,” he agrees. “You haven’t. But something tells me you’ll do so now. Is this about the bar fight?”
“The offender was inappropriate with one of your advisors. I was well within my right as your general?—”
“Relax, Styx told me everything. It’s fine. Though I wondered what caused you to react so strongly.”
I tense. “As I said, he was inappropriate.”
“It’s not the first time you’ve dealt with a drunken dumbass,” he points out. “Your self-control is usually on a tighter leash.”
“You’re not wrong.” I clear my throat. “That is why I request that you release me from our blood bond.”
He nods slowly without an ounce of surprise in his expression. It makes me wonder what he thinks he knows, but I don’t ask.
“Releasing you will leave you vulnerable,” he says. “Someone else could attempt to bond you to them?—”
“They would not live long enough to succeed,” I snarl, my temper sending smoke through my nostrils.
Caius holds up a hand, and I check myself, forcing even breaths until my heart rate calms and my beast recedes. “You’ve served Tartarus dutifully. I hate to lose you, but I understand. Though, I must say your timing for retirement is?—”
“Not retirement,” I assure him. “I ask only for the blood oath between us to be released. I still intend to do my job.”
“In that case, I’m curious as to the reason for your request,” he says. “Is there another bond you want to forge?”
My eyes narrow.
He knows. That gleam in his eye is too certain. I have no idea how he knows already, but then, he is a primordial god.
“I have found my mate,” I admit.
He smirks. “I know. Styx told me.”
My eyes narrow. “She and I are going to have words.”
“That might prove difficult. She’s gone to hunt for her own mate. Like Oberon should be. Now with you, I’m starting to think there’s something in the water here.”
I frown. “That’s not what I’m doing. And Oberon’s hunting his throne.”
He smiles smugly. “That’s what they all say.”
