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And what a knight indeed. She still couldn't believe that a god was in love with her.
"Dagor?" Margo asked. "Is that Doug's nickname?"
"No, that's his real name. He introduces himself as Doug to Americans who have trouble pronouncing names they are not familiar with. Anyway, he's awesome, and you are going to love him. He's your type. A hot nerd."
Margo laughed. "How hot?"
"Scorching. We can hardly keep our hands off each other."
"Does he have a brother by any chance?" Margo asked.
"No, but his friend Negal is very handsome, too, and he has a very even-keeled personality. He's the dependable sort. But if you don't like him, there is another guy I have my eye on for you. His name is Max, and he's part of the security detail. He's flirty as heck and handsome in the boy-next-door kind of way—if the boy next door was six foot three, had the body of a professional wrestler and the face of a magazine model. Both guys are outstanding exemplars of masculinity, the good type, not the toxic one. You'll have a hard time deciding between them."
Frankie hoped that Margo and Negal would hit it off so their triad would all have gods for boyfriends, but if Margo chose Max, she had no problem with that either.
"Why choose?" Margo laughed. "I've been reading a lot of those reverse-harem books lately. It's fun to imagine having more than one guy, but I don't think I could do that in real life. I'm a one-man woman. Besides, who has the stamina to satisfy more than one man? I certainly don't."
Frankie stifled a giggle. Margo would soon discover that stamina was not a problem with immortal lovers. The venom was amiracle drug that was an aphrodisiac, euphoric, and analgesic all in one.
"Yeah, I'm not into polyamory either. Kudos to those who enjoy it, but it's just not me. I'm so happy that I found my one and only, and I can't wait for you to meet him."
"I can't wait either. I have to go, Frankie. Lynda is waving at me, and I'd better see what she wants before she throws a tantrum."
"Okay. I love you, and I'll see you in two days."Fates willing.
"Yeah. Be careful and stay safe."
"Always."
Ani
As Ani awaited her husband to join her for a rare, shared dinner in the grand dining room of the palace, she was not surprised that he was running late. El did not forgo a single opportunity to flaunt his royal privilege.
He never waited for anyone.
Everyone waited for him.
Ani did not mind. The tapestries adorning the chamber had been recently replaced with new masterpieces, as was done once a month from time immemorial, and she busied herself with admiring the artistry and craftsmanship.
The opulence of the room, with its grand size and shimmering chandeliers, was a fitting stage for the political theater often taking place around the ornate table, but it was rarely played out by her and El.
They did not dine together often, and when they did, it was to discuss affairs of the state. They were not a couple, not anymore.
In the past they had kept up the pretense, but after El had murdered their only son, Ani no longer bothered. She could not prove what he had done, so removing him from the throne had not been possible, and her fading into the background had not been an option either.
She had a job to do, and to do it, she had to pretend that she did not know El was responsible for his only legitimate son's demise, and she had to remain cordial to her husband. At first, it had been difficult, but thousands of years later, it had become second nature. They both played their roles as the rulers of Anumati together but apart.
Ani's role was limited, and she was not allowed to poke her nose into El's affairs or even question his decisions.
He was the king, and she was his official consort.
Nevertheless, she shouldered many responsibilities and represented families whose support was crucial to El's rule over Anumati. Also, she had nearly complete autonomy over her responsibilities, but she knew that El kept a close watch on her activities, and his spies were everywhere.
She had her own spies in his court, and he probably knew that as well, but he either did not care or could not figure out how anyone could spy on him while being compelled to reveal nothing of what they witnessed while in his service.
As the doors opened the king's guards entered first, taking their positions in the four corners of the room, and only then did El enter with all the pomp and ceremony of his station.
Her husband exuded power and commanded attention, but there was a calculated restraint in his demeanor, and not onlybecause he was keenly aware of the delicate balance of power between them.
