“I knew I liked him.”
“Charming,” he murmured. “I can’t wait for you to realize who you are speaking to.”
“Obviously, you’re a god. And clearly, I don’t give a fuck.” The words came in quick, uneven bursts, each one threaded with fury. “And, like I said… That food. Is not meant. For you.”
“A god?” He laughed. “I am no god. And it would be rude of younotto allow me to enjoy this amazing array of cheeses.”
“Bullshit,” I bit out as I continued pushing against his hold. The eather responded, throbbing more intensely. My fingers twitched.
“Do you think a god would be able to do what I’ve done with you?” he asked. “Do you think a god could prevent your wolven from feeling your anger or sensing her absence?”
Well, that explained why Kieran wasn’t beating down the door. However, I didn’t know what a god, especially one as old as I assumed he was, was capable of.
He popped the cheese into his mouth, sending a tight-lipped smile in my direction. “I am no measly god.”
The first moment I could move, I was going to shove every piece of that cheese down his throat.
“And, apparently, neither are you,” he continued. He swept his gaze over me as his hand moved to the other cloche. “Who would’ve thought this would be the outcome of a Joining with a Primal?” He chuckled as if he’d said something funny. “Oh, wait. That’s right. Weshould’veknown. And by we, I’m not talking about you and me.”
“Figured that,” I spat, pulling on the essence once more as my lengthened canines dragged against my lip. A spasm ran through my muscles.
“Should’veis the keyword in what I just said, by the way. Though I have a feeling some knew exactly what the outcome would be.” He prattled on, talking about something I gave no fucks about. “But I imagine, between the heartmates thing,” he said with a dismissive huff, “and throwing a wolven into the mix, it led to more…unexpected developments.” One shoulder lifted. “And in case you haven’t figured it out yet, I’m talking about the Arae when I saywe.”
If I weren’t already mimicking a damn statue, I would’ve been then. There was no way I’d heard him right.
“Chocolate!” he exclaimed, grabbing a chunk.
I watched him take a bite and moan like a man with a mouth wrapped around his cock. “You’rea Fate?”
A frown wrinkled his brow as he looked at me. “Why do you sound like you don’t believe me? Is it because I enjoy the finer things in life?”
“Like cheese and chocolate?”
“Nothing finer.” Finishing off the piece of chocolate, he leaned back in the chair. “I see you’ve stopped fighting my hold.”
I had. “I may be an idiot sometimes, but I’m not a fucking idiot.”
“That’s actually a welcome relief.” He stretched out a long leg. “Wish the same could be said about a certain Primal of Death.”
“Doesn’t mean I’m not still pissed.”
“No need to tell me that. Your anger is like tiny claws scratching at my skin.”
My eyes narrowed.Tiny claws scratching?I held my tongue. Even I knew better than to actually fuck with a Fate despite—wait. I stared at him. “Your eyes.”
“What about them?”
I couldn’t bring myself to say it because the implication seemed impossible.
When I didn’t answer, he draped an arm over the back of the chair. “You can see them.”
“No shit.”
“But can you see this?” He tilted his head and pointed at the vine-like tattoo crawling up his face.
“The shit on your face? Yeah, I can see it.”
He eyed me for a few moments. “Only two other beings besides my kind can see what you can. The true Primal of Life and the true Primal of Death.” The hand he had resting on the table began to tap slowly. “You being able to is one of those unexpected developments. You shouldn’t be able to, Joining or not.” The skin at the corners of his eyes creased as he squinted. “Interesting.” He exhaled heavily. “My name is Aydun.”
