Alexis was my mentee, and sure, I’d thought we could be more. I’d wanted to give us a chance, so I’d done the unthinkable—I’dtried. But she’d made it clear whose side she was on.
My chest tightened.
I hated how betrayed I felt.
Alexis smiled at me, her cheeks flushed with satisfaction, two different-colored eyes bright and unguarded for the first time since I’d met her. Poco hissed.
I wasn’t so selfish that I couldn’t admit to myself that the three of them suited each other.
At first, they’d been a fucking disaster. They were all so similar, different shades of stoic suffering that was beyond exasperating.
But now, they’d found their wedded bliss.
Stomach heavy with dread, I tried to ignore what that meant for Achilles and me. We’d still have to get married to a stranger who’d try to ruin us with their petty jealousies.They’ll try to take Achilles away from you.
No one would ever marry someone for immortality and be happy playing second fiddle to me, but that was the only option we had left.
Bile filled my throat at the mere thought.
I’d pitch myself off this villa’s roof before I loved anyonehalfas much as I loved Achilles.
He felt the same.
It was why I’d tried so hard to make something happen with Alexis. That, and she wasn’t as annoying as most people. A part of me still genuinely considered her a friend. Not that I’d admit it aloud.
Augustus narrowed his eyes. “Interesting—keepit down.”
“Of course, brother,” I said smoothly.
He raised his eyebrows at me. We’d never had a particularly close relationship, but I respected his ability to stay calm in the face of Sparta’s perpetual bullshit.
Achilles slammed the door shut in their faces.
Poco screeched belligerently.
Their footsteps receded.
Achilles turned to me and adjusted the obscene bulge in his cargo pants.
No one has ever been as handsome.
He studied my face with intensity. Ever since I’d been interrogated during the SGC, he’d been struggling with possessiveness and separation anxiety.
We were already unhealthily codependent on each other, but it had somehow gotten worse.
He’s so perfect.
I reached for Achilles’s muzzled face, and he tilted his head, leaning into my reverent touch.
Going up on tiptoes, I pressed a kiss to the hollow on the front of his neck, warm, heated skin tensing beneath my touch.
He gripped my hips, pushing himself flush against me. I groaned, licking at him.
Smoke from his muzzle wrapped around us.
He smelled like carnal sex, fire, and everything I’d ever wanted.
He’s a dream come true.
