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He worked his jaw. Did Lore care nothing about the price paid to retrieve this newest bone? No appreciation for the efforts made on her behalf?
“How can you think this?” he demanded. “Much has been lost for you.”
“Did the harpy not inform you?” She wrapped her arms around her middle. “I was there in the pit. I saw the horror on your face when she was bitten.”
Neeka hadn’t told him of the encounter, no. But then, she’d been a little too busy trying to survive. “I thought you must remain near the skull.”
“Not anymore. I’m strong enough to latch onto any bone.” Gliding closer, she added, “About the oracle.”
“Why does my relationship with her concern you? You have always encouraged me to keep a stable.” Unlike Neeka, who would insist he dismantle it permanently.
Despite the harshness of his tone, Lore dried her tears and offered him a shaky smile. “That’s right. I have.” She wiped the moisture from her cheeks with swift swipes. “You are the most wonderful male in existence, and your happiness matters more to me than anything.”
So different from the criticisms he’d heard from Hera, and now Neeka. He should thank Lore for always seeing the best in him.
“Is she one of your lovers?” Lore asked, peeking at him from beneath her lashes.
“She isn’t.” But she could’ve been. Rather than snap the bone into place, he shoved it into his pocket with a little too much force. “She’s the oracle I hired to help me put you back together.”
“Because you love me,” Lore said, rewarding him with a smile.
“Yes,” he rasped. And yet...
What was this strange emotion working through the innermost passages in his mind? With a harsher tone than intended, he said, “I will be disbanding the stable, never to reopen.” He pulled the trigger, then and there. With or without Lore’s approval, he was done spending himself with concubines. “I’m willing to flash there now. With the bone in my pocket, you can follow me and bear witness.”
Her smile fell. “Why would you do this? Darling, there’s no cause for such a drastic measure. I know you’re a god in his prime, and you have needs. And I delight when you delight, so of course I want you to be with whomever you wish, whenever you wish it. Except the oracle. There’s something about her. I think she secretly plots against us.”
He pressed his tongue to the roof of his mouth. “Her, I keep. She’s the first being to aid my quest.”
New tears gathered at the corners of Lore’s eyes. Her bottom lip bowed in a pout. “You’re upset with me.”
Yes, he was, but he didn’t know why. So she had no problem sharing him. So what? There were worse problems.
“I’m sorry,” she rushed out. “It’s just so hard, being trapped in this form. Especially when I believe the oracle hopes to win you away from me for nefarious reasons, and I yearn only to protect you.”
His brain provided a mental picture of the female in question doing as accused and attempting to win his affections. He saw Neeka, naked in bed, beckoning him closer. The female equivalent of lightning in a bottle.
Every muscle in his body hardened, and guilt stabbed him anew. “Only three bones are needed.” The words were minced against his teeth. “You’ll be in my arms soon.” Then, his confusion would end. Surely.
Gliding closer, she reached for him the way she used to do. Though her fingers ghosted through him, she remained at his side, petting his chest. “There’s nothing I desire more than becoming tangible and being with you. I’ve missed you so much, my love. More than I can ever express.” All silk and velvet, she purred into his ear. “Why don’t you sit in your throne while I list everything I adore about you, hmm?”
Something she’d done many times in the past. Today, he had no interest. Curiosity was blooming. “Come. Behold.” He flashed to the sitting room with his portraits.
Lore appeared a second later. She gazed around and gasped. “Who dared disrespect you in such a manner?”
Well. Not the reaction he’d anticipated.
“There’s something else,” he muttered. He flashed to his bedroom, and once again, she appeared seconds later. “What do you notice in here?”
She peered here and there, then smiled at him. “This is beautiful, and I’m excited to share it with you.” Gliding forward with the grace of a gazelle, she soared through the open doors that led to the balcony. The soft, smoky breeze from the River Styx blew in, scenting the air with burning sandalwood. “I’ll love being out here with you, showcasing our love to the world.”
“A circumstance I have envisioned many times,” he intoned. Just not lately.
Her smile faded and she returned to him. “You’re still upset with me?”
“No.” He didn’t know what he was. Disillusioned, perhaps? Did they have anything in common? “Come.” He teleported to the throne room and snapped the bone in place.
She appeared at his side, smiling again. “Will you sit and allow me to share my list now?”
