Matt let go of me, puffing out his chest, but I pushed him back.
“He’s not worth it. Come on. Let’s go.” I turned back to Gray as we left the kitchen. “Stay away from me.”
When I fell asleep, I found myself in Elysia again.
“Archer?” I called out.
He appeared in front of me. “Right here.”
Even though I didn’t know why I kept dreaming of him, he calmed me when I found myself here. Maybe it was because of my experience with the pool, and the fact he was a God, kept me safe from the waters and whispers.
“Are we walking tonight?” he asked. I nodded and slipped a hand through his arm before we walked down the path. “You seem upset.”
I bit the insides of my cheeks and shrugged.
He stopped us and used a hand to tip my chin up, so I looked at him. “Tell me what’s wrong.”
“Gray.”His name spilled from my mouth before I could stop myself.
“What’s he done?”
“He’s being an ass.”
Archer laughed. “What did I tell you? Not to trust him.”
“He says the same about you.”
“He would. Listen to me. You have no idea what he and the other elites are capable of.”
“So tell me.”
“Sweetheart, I keep secrets. I don’t spill them. Not unless I get something in return.”
“What do you want?”
“There’s an interesting question,” he said, looking at me curiously, and I felt like I’d made a mistake.
Bartering with a God felt like it was asking for trouble. But at the same time, I was tired of them being so cryptic. I wanted answers, and I needed to get them somehow.
“If you tell me what you want, I’m willing to make a trade,” I pressed.
“You’re playing dangerous games but that’s a very tempting offer you bring to the table.”
I swallowed, watching him. Archer ran a hand through his dark hair, and I noticed a small scar he sported down the side of his face. It was faint and pale, almost unnoticeable, until the light caught it perfectly.
“How did you get that?” I asked, confused that a God would bear such imperfection.
My fingers slowly reached out to touch it.
“I should go,” he said suddenly, moving his face out of reach.
“You’re leaving?”
“Don’t worry. I’ll see you soon.” He brushed his lips against my forehead and disappeared.
Elysia crumbled away, and I woke up from the dream.
Groaning, I buried my face into the pillow before I felt something else against my cheek. When I opened my eyes, I saw a yellow tulip. Sitting up in bed, I realised I was surrounded by them.
