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His shoulders slump in defeat, yet he keeps me angled behind him, attempting to protect me from my mates still.
“Is turning back time one of my abilities?” he asks, the words directed almost to himself. “Perhaps I could go back and prevent—” Mateo cuts off his words with a growl, and Osias’ head snaps up to glare back at Mateo.
“Fine—fine.” He relents. “Let’s go somewhere private. You’ve already caused enough of a spectacle.” He directs the words toward Mateo, causing the god of war to bare his teeth, snarling back in response.
“We can go to the god’s residence. Adrian should be here for this too,” Kyros offers, his gaze darting to me at the mention of the god of illusion.
“Oh, he will definitely be part of this conversation. I have a few choice words for him.” My father mutters under his breath before turning to head back down the path. “Who is this?” He pauses, his eyes locked on to Kali.
She shrinks back at the weight of his attention. Inclining her head in respect. A smart move on her part. I quickly step forward, not wanting him to scare the shit out of my new friend.
“Dad, this is Kali, a new friend I’ve made here.” I look back at her, saving the rest of the awkward introduction. Since she already must have picked up the fact that this is my dad.
“She’s the progeny of the goddess of fertility,” Kyros fills in. Apparently meaning something to all of them. My father nods in acknowledgment.
“Of course, she is,” he mutters under his breath, but doesn’t bother to elaborate. “Well, Kali, demigod of fertility. My daughter will see you later.” He dismisses her. I must admit it is one of the kinder send-offs he’s given anyone though.
Kali stumbles forward, clasping her arms around me. “Call me later?” she asks, keen intrigue apparent in her eyes.
“As soon as I can,” I promise, clutching her tightly before moving away. “Thank you,” I whisper quietly, thanking her for her friendship and support, especially throughout the past few days. I mean, not everyone would be willing to up and leave at a moment’s notice, following your friend to not only a different country—but a different realm.
“Anytime.” She chuckles. Despite her laughter, I see the sincerity in her eyes. With that, she moves up the stairs, glancing back a final time before making her way through the grand bronze doors.
“Hopefully, she’s a better influence than that Penelope, you’re always hanging around,” My dad mutters, crossing his arms over his chest.
“Don’t lie, dad, you love her.” I chuckle, nudging him with my elbow. He grumbles awkwardly, not wanting to admit the daughter-like affection he holds for my best friend. I glance around at the guys seeing their shocked faces at the exchange. I cock an eyebrow up at them, not understanding what the big deal is.
I look down for my beach bag, not wanting all my personal items strewn out in the courtyard. However, I don’t find it. I look up to see Maximus standing before me, my red and white striped beach bag already clutched in his palm.
I attempt to reach for it, but he moves it just out of my grasp, and my fingers close around thin air. I huff out a sigh of annoyance and move closer, going for the bag again. At that exact moment, he takes a step back, keeping the bag just out of my reach. He places a hand on the small of my back, guiding me down the path after the others.
I really want to be mad at the asshat—blame him for my own problems and mistakes, but I can’t. I shouldn’t have believed his biting words, when all their actions screamed the opposite. I made that mistake, and now I have to own up to it. Despite telling myself that, I can’t seem to make my chicken heart apologize to him just yet. Instead, I relax into his touch, allowing the strength and warmth of his contact to comfort me as we follow behind the others, back beyond the wards.
My father reaches out a hand to me, scowling when he sees Maximus’s hand splayed on my back. I reach out to take it before Mateo steps between us, squaring off with him again.
“I don’t think so. Who’s to say you won’t just take Olivia back to the mortal realm like you hid her away for the past twenty years.” Mateo crosses his arms triumphantly, as though proud that he thought of such a plan before he had time to enact it.
“I will remind you that although she may be your mate,” He pauses, cringing in disgust at the words. “She is still my daughter, I have my reasons for why I did what I did, and I don’t need to explain them to you.”
I give him a pointed look at that, true he doesn’t need to explain anything to Mateo, but he still needs to explain it to me. His face softens as he meets my eyes, losing some of the cold demeanor.
“Let’s compromise,” I suggest, stepping towards Kyros. Since he seems like the safest option in my father’s eyes, seeing as he didn’t mow Kyros over earlier when he stepped between the two of them. “Kyros will take me back to the manor, and then we can all discuss this mess.” I raise my hands, slowly stepping toward the god of healing. He respectfully doesn’t wrap his arm around my waist this time, clasping my hand instead.
“Fine,” the two of them growl out, their gazes locking in fury at their synchronicity.
I squeeze Kyros’ hand, silently begging him to dissipate us now, unsure of how much more of their posturing I can take for one day. Thankfully, he obliges, the power sweeping around us before depositing us on the manor’s front steps.
“Thank you,” I whisper, just before the others arrive a moment later. My stomach clenches as I look up at the wooden door. Unsure of whether what awaits me inside is better or worse than the bickering gods behind me. Leaving me little choice in the matter, Kyros leads me forward, opening the door for me. He squeezes my hand in a comforting gesture, silently lending me his support.
The others follow behind a moment later, crowding into the cramped entryway. I move to my father, and he wraps an arm around me, keeping me close to his side. I’m not ready to move away from him just yet. I can’t even imagine what he must have gone through the past month, knowing where I am, yet unable to come to find me. My stomach twists in guilt once more at my decision not to contact him when I first arrived.
We follow the others into the sitting room. My mind is still fresh with the crippling thoughts that he may not be my biological father. I push them away, relieved that he’s some sort of god since he’s here, though which one exactly remains to be seen.
I had always thought in the back of my mind that I was to blame for my father’s absence, that for some reason it was a choice that he made to constantly be away on business. But now, reality comes crashing in, he’s truly a god, and did his best to take care of me on his own, when most gods sent their progeny to grow to adulthood with their human parent. I chew my lip thinking over Adrian’s words from our dinner in Santorini, gods were not permitted to live in the mortal realm, but my father did so to keep me from this world.
“Someone get Adrian quickly,” my father orders, his stern tone not allowing any discussion, as he jolts me from my thoughts. Kyros moves to the stairs, following the instruction without hesitation. My eyes narrow on my father, the pieces not exactly fitting together just yet, leaving me confused as to whom he is precisely in this realm.
“What’s the rush?” Maximus questions, leaning up against the far wall, my beach bag standing upright on the floor beside him.
“The rush is the council.” My dad huffs out an irritated sigh, scrubbing a hand over his face in frustration. “They know about Olivia, and now since she’s at the academy, she’s officially under their jurisdiction.” He darts a glare up at Adrian, just appearing at the top of the stairs. “They’re on their way here now to relay their verdict.”
I glance around in confusion, seeing all the guys’ faces pale at the news, even Adrian and Kyros poised at the top of the stairs, just catching the tail end of the conversation. My mouth dries, and I swallow thickly, a shiver of fear running up my spine. Whatever this verdict is cannot be good news.
