“You’re kidding. I’ve been looking all over our suite for the damned tonic, and Sera got all dodgy when I asked her about it.” I shake my head, trying to wrap my mind around it, and the betrayal makes me want to vomit.
“I’m sorry, love. I wish I were kidding.”
“So what does this mean? If he’s not my father, who is?”
“Apparently, your actual father is a god . . . Kyros, the sun god, based on what Cary told me.”
“What in the world?” I gasp. I’m crushed with the hurt that something so vital has been kept from me for almost my entire life. That the man I knew as my father lied to me, poisoned me.I shake my head again. “How is that even possible? Haven’t the gods been gone?”
Kian shrugs, his hand moving from my cheek and down my throat before gently resting on my collarbone. “As far as I know, Cary loved your mother, your real mother, and he raised you to protect you.”
“So my mother wasn’t my mother either?” I ask, unable to hold back the shiver from Kian’s gentle touch. I’m tired of hurting. I’m tired of the emotional devastation. Is it selfish of me to enjoy this simple touch and escape from the life-altering revelations?
“Not according to Cary,” he says softly as his thumb rubs along my collarbone.
I can’t think, I almost can’t breathe, but I find myself leaning in.
“Do you want me to stop?” His voice comes out in a low rumble, sending even more chills down my arms and neck.
“I don’t think I can concentrate with you touching me,” I whisper.But please don’t stop. I wish I could say the words aloud, but something holds me back.
Kian lets go, and the sudden rush of cold air replacing the heat makes me want to cry.
“I’m sorry, Rae. I wasn’t trying to make you uncomfortable.”
“It’s okay,” I whisper, trying to shake myself out of the spell he captured me in. “So . . . my father is a god,” I repeat.
“Yes.”
“And that makes me . . .”
“A demi-god.”
“Fuck.”
Kian’s lips curl into a smile. “Such a foul word from such a pretty mouth.”
My hand darts to touch my lips, embarrassment creeping in, when I have a revelation. “So I’m not allergic to the sun?”
“No, love.”
I wrinkle my nose at my next question. “Does that mean I need to drink blood?”
Kian chuckles. “I don’t think it’s a requirement, but it can strengthen you. You seem to like it.”
“Beg your pardon?” He can’t be serious. I’ve consumed blood?
He scoots a little closer on the settee, offering his throat to me. “You’ve tasted me before. Would you like to again?”
I swallow, my mouth watering at the thought, which simultaneously thrills and disgusts me. “I . . . I don’t know . . .”
“Maybe it would help?” Kian says, his eyes sparkling with mischief. Or is that lust?
I tilt my head. “Do you really think so?”
He shrugs and goes to undo the top buttons of his shirt.
I’m hot and cold all over, my pulse racing in anticipation.
