I narrow my eyes, genuinely confused. “What other kind of real would there be?”
She laughs—god, I could become addicted to that sound—and reaches out to touch the stone walls. “I mean, is this some kind of computer simulation, or...” She runs her palm along the ancient stones. “Everything feels real. Cool to the touch and solid. So are we in another dimension? Are we even still on Earth?”
When her gaze connects with mine again, I feel that same electric sizzle race through my entire being. “Your realm, yes. Simply removed from ordinary human perception. Hidden from their prying eyes and tracking devices.”
Her eyebrows shoot up. “So it’s a magic castle?” she squeaks, and then her face lights up like Christmas morning. “I want to see everything!”
I pause, immediately suspicious. This is going far too well. Beautiful consorts don’t just accept magical abduction and ask for the tour. “Why? So you can find weaknesses to exploit? Map escape routes?” My voice sharpens. “Because we are very farfrom any human settlements, lovely one. There is nowhere to run.”
The joy vanishes from her face like I’ve slapped her. She crosses her arms and takes a step back, and fuck, I hate that defensive posture already. “Well, that’s ominous as fuck. I thought you said you wouldn’t hurt me.”
“I would never harm a consort!” The words explode out of me, and she takes another step back.
Shit.Shit.I can feel Romulus stirring in the back of my mind, always ready to wake up when I get agitated, always prepared to take control and “fix” whatever I’ve fucked up with his cold, measured responses.
I quickly tug the flask from my pocket and take a small swig. The elixir is bitter and metallic, coating my tongue with an unpleasant saltiness, but it does the job. Romulus sinks back into unconsciousness, and I’m fully myself again.
My consort watches this little performance with obvious wariness, and I can practically see the trust draining from her expression.
Fuck. I’m screwing this up already.
“Listen,” I say, forcing my voice into something approaching gentle. “If there’s one thing I’ve learned to value above all else, it’s the happiness and well-being of one’s consort.” I place my hand over my heart, meaning every word. “I will see to your joy here. I vow it on my immortal soul.”
It feels strange, showing this kind of earnestness. I wear so many masks for everyone else—the wild destroyer, the chaotic brother, the uncontrollable force of nature. But with her, maybe I can be real. As real as a monster like me can manage.
Her defensive stance softens slightly, though her arms remain crossed. “Trust is earned,” she says simply.
Smart girl.Beautiful, curious,andwise. I hit the consort jackpot.
She bites her lower lip in a way that makes me want to do the same. “My name’s Lauren.”
“Lo-Ren,” I repeat, testing the syllables. The name tastes like honey on my tongue. “Lauren, my magnificent consort, it is my heart’s deepest delight to have you here.”
I sweep my arm toward the doorway with theatrical flair, gesturing to the corridor beyond. “Now then, what would you like to explore first? I have an entire castle to show off, and I confess I’m rather proud of it.”
Please say yes. Please want to see it all. Please don’t run screaming for the exit.
Because for the first time in my very long existence, I have something I actually want to keep.
FOUR
LAUREN
I don’t knowwhat to make of him. This man claims to be a god, but right now he feels much more like a really complicated, really hot guy with some serious family drama. Well, one with wings and a tail, anyway.
What do I know, though? My track record with men is about as successful as my track record with career choices. Which is to say, spectacularly shitty.
But we’re not thinking about that right now. I’ve stepped into something that resembles a fairy tale, and you don’t clutter up fairy tales with the baggage of your past. At least not when you’re standing in an actual magic castle with a gorgeous, dangerous man.
Because what I wanted—what I’ve really wanted, even though I never knew how to pray for it—was to befree. Free from all the bullshit of my regular life. The unemployment, the constant criticism, the suffocating feeling that I was slowly disappearing into nothing.
And somehow, miraculously, that freedom has been delivered in the form of a seven-foot-tall, muscle-bound, devastatingly handsome if slightly unhinged god with wings. And that tail—Jesus, I can’t stop thinking about that tail, the way it twitches and moves like it has a mind of its own, playfully curious like a cat that wants to get into trouble.
Only as I watch him watching me do I remember he asked me a question. What do I want to see first?
“Everything!” I exclaim, surprising myself with how eager I sound.
He grins wide, white teeth flashing in a way that should probably scare me but instead makes my stomach do interesting flip-flops. He gestures toward the door with theatrical flair. “I’m not sure our castle is as magical as you might wish. Our father had lavish tastes, but my brothers burned many of his things after an... er, extreme disagreement.”
