I sucked in a sudden breath, my fingers tightening around hers. “What am I, Jakan?”
“I am not Jakan,” she replied. “I am Donald. Donald the Dumb and Useless Bathroom-Invader of the Godly and Amazing Neutral.”
You are Creation.
I flinched away, dropping her hands. Mine were shaking, my palms beginning to sweat. I was too shocked to believe it,butit made sense. I had created a god. I had created all manner of things.
I had created a war.
“What is something only Staviti can do, other than creating other gods?” I asked, turning back to the guys.
They were all staring at me, waiting to hear what Jakan’s answer was.
“He can shape the worlds,” Coen replied. “He can make this land into anything he likes.”
“Then I need to show you all something. But first, we need to get to the Garden of Everlasting.” I walked toward the bathing chamber without another word.
After ten clicks of struggling, I was dressed in the leather outfit, and I moved to stand in front of the glass to admire it. I attempted to pull my hair up into a fancy knot, but only managed to twist it messily atop my head.
“Five?” I called. “I think I need some help.”
Siret appeared in the doorway a moment later, dragging his eyes down my outfit. “I think I’m the one that needs help,” he joked. “It’s not fair of you to walk around dressed like that.”
I grinned at him. “Does your Trickery work on hair?”
He closed the distance between us, catching a stray curl that fell down beside my cheek. “I refuse. You’re perfect like this.”
I pressed my lips to his quickly, intending to end the kiss as soon as it had started, but his arms circled my waist, crushing me against his chest, and the kiss softened until I was melting into him.
“You get her all night,” a rough voice cut in from the hallway.
We broke apart, and Siret planted another soft kiss on my mouth before I walked to the door of the bathroom. Yael was leaning against the outside wall, his arms folded over his chest.
“Do you want a kiss as well?” I teased him.
“Ask me for one,” he returned, his eyes narrowing.
Heat shot through me, reminding me of exactly how demanding he could be.
“Will you please kiss—” I started, before his mouth cut me off.
Our positions were switched and my back was to the wall in a fraction of a click, his hands strong either side of my face, his tongue sweeping into my mouth with enough intention to make my breaths short.
“Whatever you have to show us,” he muttered against my lips, “it changes nothing.”
There were no sweeter words to hear. That I was unconditionally loved and accepted. I opened my mouth then and Yael slid his tongue across mine. Slowly. Deliberately invading my mouth in a show of dominance. I liked it though, because he never pushed me past the point of complete loss. He allowed me to keep my power, he just had to have more. Something I had long ago accepted about him.
“I’m thinking the next time we’re together,” he said, pulling back, “I’m going to give you another reason to call me Four.”
My body clenched with need; my centre ached. Last time he’d given me three orgasms and I’d felt like I wouldn’t survive a fourth. I guess he was going to disprove that theory for me … but not this sun-cycle. There was no time. Yael must have seen the disappointment in my face because he laughed. Out loud and with abandon. For once, there was no cynicism on his face. No competitiveness in his behaviour. It was just pure, unadulterated happiness, and my heart nearly burst at the sight.
“Ready to go?” he asked, after our moment together.
I nodded, even though it was kind of a lie. We had to go, but I wasn’t sure any of us were ready for everything that was coming our way. Spinning around, I observed myself one last time in the reflective glass. The leather outfit moulded to my body, but I felt protected. The material was thick and strong, while somehow moving easily with me. It was probably the best thing I’d ever worn.
“I’m ready,” I repeated, out loud this time. “Let’s do this.”
We joined the others, who were waiting in a sombre sort of mood by the front entrance. Siret moved to my side, reminding me that he was my partner for the night and would stick as close to me as possible. I felt better knowing that everyone had a partner and another person watching out for them. It would be much harder to pick us off one by one—we were stronger together.
