“What’s going on?” Erik asked suspiciously. “You haven’t slept with her. I can tell you haven’t.”
“Nothing.”
“Do you two ever listen to these things?” Sloan asked.
“Why bother when you can fill us in later?” I replied.
“Gray,” Erik said. “What’s going on between you and Scott?”
“Honestly? Nothing. We’re friends.”
His blonde eyebrows disappeared into his hairline. He was probably surprised that I’d managed a friendship with anyone other than Ignacio and Elva.
“And you’re happy?” Erik asked incredulously.
“For now.”
There were always stipulations. I might not be able to keep it up, but for now, I was content.
I didn’t know why it made me happy, but it did. Talking to Quen, knowing things about her daily life, and coaxing her to share things with me was something I enjoyed. I couldn’t deny there were times I wanted more, but I was learning to control the appetite I had for her.
Hunter wrapped up and I rolled my eyes. He was a prick in general, but worse when Larkin fought with him. He made a beeline towards Erik and me, with Elva and Sloan making themselves scarce.
Cowards.
“I was thinking about a family dinner together, soon. I feel like we’re seeing less of each other at the moment,” Hunter said.
“What’s the matter, Hunter?” I asked. “Can’t control Larkin on your own?”
There was a flash of blue, and I laughed. On the scale of hot heads, Hunter fell closer to Erik than me. Seeing him lose it so easily told me I’d hit a nerve.
“You can invite Elva,” Hunter told me sharply. “It’s about time you thought of settling down.”
Ig was nearby, and I caught him duck his head. Outside of family, Ig was who I was close to, and he was usually happy-go-lucky. Lately, it bothered him how much people pushed for Elva and I to get together, regardless of the fact neither of us had an intention to fulfil the council’s wishes.
“Why?” I asked.
“You know things aren’t exactly settled in Elysia. The minor Gods are getting restless. The more of a united front we show, the better it’ll be.”
Erik looked at him wide-eyed. “No. No. No. No more marriages of convenience. Look at where it’s got you.”
When Hunter proposed to Larkin, Erik was against the idea. He went through the entire wedding looking ready to kill someone. It was in Erik’s nature to believe in true love, and he’d be the first to tell you that wasn’t what laid between Hunter and his wife.
“Sometimes our duty has to come before feelings, Erik,” Hunter reminded him.
“How is that working for you, exactly?” Erik asked.
I folded my arms across my chest and watched them. It was rare that Erik would take on Hunter, but this was something he’d die on a hill for.
“Erik,” Sloan said gently, making her way back towards us.
“I understand the importance of keeping Elysia at peace. Not all of us can hang around for centuries until we find the one,” Hunter barked.
“No,” Erik said. “But you should have learned how to rule on your own without Larkin pulling the strings in the background.”
The blue flared into life, and it was joined by red.
“Stop trying to force decisions on people, Hunter,” Erik said fiercely. “Love and marriage aren’t a game or bargaining chips.”
