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“Why?”
“Because I think we each have something the other wants.”
Was this how his messenger had approached Collin?
He tilted his head as he studied me, a pensive look on his face. “Come, dine with me. I have a meal prepared for you. As well as a surprise.”
I took a step backward, moving still deeper into the water. “What is it?”
He winked. “If I told you, it wouldn’t be a surprise.”
“I’m not hungry.”
“Come sit with me anyway.” He reached for me again, but I stepped to the side. I couldn’t get away from him by walking into the sound. I only had one option: to hear him out and look for a way to escape. I began to step out of the water, swinging wide of him.
He laughed and climbed the embankment, turning to wait for me.
I glanced down at my palm with dismay. The words of protection hadn’t helped me with the badgers. I was trapped, especially since Ahone wouldn’t intervene this time. Without the mark on my palm, what resources did I have to save me from Okeus?
So far, Okeus was nothing like the monster I’d seen the night of his escape. The god who’d carved his mark into my arm with a razor-sharp claw. The question was, why? What did I have that he wanted, other than the obvious? But if he wanted my manitou, wouldn’t he just take it? And if he planned to take me to hell to torture me as he’d threatened in the past, why waste time trying to butter me up?
I followed him to a table covered in a white cloth that was fluttering in the breeze. Multiple candles crowded the table, their flames flickering. Several platters of fruit and cheese covered the rest of the space. There were two chairs at either end, and Okeus pulled one out for me.
I reluctantly sat, grabbing the sides of my seat with my hands.
He took the chair opposite me, an amused smile on his face. “You look nervous, Ellie. I only wish to talk.”
“Why are you calling me Ellie?”
One of his dark eyebrows arched higher than the other. “Ellie is the name you prefer, correct? As opposed to Elinor?”
“Yes. But the others call me by my titles.”
“They use them as a sign of respect.”
I wanted to point out that I was sure it wasn’t, but I was more interested in getting some other answers from him. “Why are you dressed like that?” I asked, waving my hand toward him. “The last time I saw you, you were dressed more…”
“Native?”
I nodded.
“I thought you’d be more comfortable if I looked more like you.”
I hated to admit it, but he had a point. In fact, his clothes, the table, his manners were all setting me at ease in spite of myself. “Why do you care if I’m comfortable?”
He laughed and passed a plate of sliced peaches toward me. I loved peaches, and the smell wafting toward me made my stomach grumble.
“Have a slice, Ellie.”
I knew enough about folk-and fairy tales to not to accept any food from him. Too many stories ended with people getting stuck places as a result of eating something they shouldn’t. “No, thank you.”
“Suit yourself.” He set the plate down in front of me, sighing in disappointment. “I suppose you want to know why you’re here.”
“Yes.”
He leaned back in his chair. “I’ve already told you that I realized I spoke in haste over a fortnight ago. And I would like to offer a proposition to you.”
“What kind of proposition?”
