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Maddox slides a hand behind my neck, curls his fingers, and squeezes gently so my attention stays riveted on him. “I know the gods far better than you can hope to. They love their machinations and plots. They love to meddle. They’re refusing to bring back Lucien for a reason they’re not divulging, and I know this because they’ve not ordered anyone else to stand down. They might not want you bringing him back, but they’re happy to let me or someone else try to figure out a way.”
“But what could that reason be?”
“I have no clue, but I assume it will be revealed. It’s what gives me hope. That they’re letting this play out. I take that to mean there must be a way.”
I shrug off his hand and sit halfway up. “Which means that book is very important.”
“Amell and Thalia are working on it. Her brother-in-law, Kieran, is off looking right now. They supposedly know someone in the First Dimension who can help.”
“And you can help,” I say, feeling a rush of excitement that Maddox might get his brother back.
His jaw tightens. “No. I’ve been ordered to oversee the safety of Faere from the breaches that keep appearing in the veil between it and the Underworld.”
“By whom? I haven’t heard of this.”
“Onyx. She says a war is coming.”
“Why are you here, then, looking for a diversion?”
“Because you weren’t at your house. You’re the diversion I prefer.”
Of course, Maddox wouldn’t sit back if there was a book out there that might free Lucien from the Crimson River. I can’t help but think there’s a subplot going on that I’ve been left out of.
It pisses me off that they’re making things so difficult and my sense of righteousness has me rolling away from Maddox.
“Where are you going?” he asks.
“To see the Council and get some answers.”
With a sigh, he rises from the bed. “I guess it’s back to business.”
I’m momentarily sidetracked by the vision he presents with the sunlight coming in from the balcony doors, the blue ocean behind him. His naked form is too beautiful to behold, and I avert my gaze.
“It’s off to Faere I go,” he says, and my head jerks up. “I’ve got to meet with Deandra.”
“No,” I growl. “I forbid it.”
Maddox’s eyebrows rise. “I’ve been ordered by Onyx to help defend Faere. I can’t do that from here.”
“I don’t want you near that woman,” I say, feeling like I have no control over my tongue. Words are coming out that I don’t intend.
Lips curving upward, Maddox’s eyes gleam with understanding as he walks around the bed toward me. His hand moves to my face and forces my head back to look at him. “You can’t seriously be jealous of Deandra?”
I should deny it but I find more truths dripping from my tongue. “I don’t like her touching what’s mine.”
“I’m yours?” he teases.
I’m embarrassed to have admitted that and I’m pissed he finds me amusing. “For now.”
“Hmm,” he murmurs before bending to kiss me. “I like being yours.”
I push him away, trying to regain some control and summon forth an outfit. I’m heading to the Council, so I choose clothing that speaks to my power as the god of Life and Death.
Black leather, metal studs and chains, spiky boots, and dark, dramatic makeup.
“Whoa,” Maddox says, taking a slight step back and running his gaze up and down my body. “You are smoking hot in that. Don’t go. Let’s do some role-play.”
I roll my eyes at him as I conjure forth a key. It’s heavy, old fashioned and tarnished. I hold it out in the palm of my hand.
