“You should have said no!”
Familiar laughter echoed through the building, pulling me away from the argument. I pushed past Larkin and held onto the rail, staring down the gap that ran through the rectangular floors and gave a view of the foyer below. Quentin held a coffee cup in her hand and walked in step with James.
The metal beneath my palms gave way, warping under my touch with a muted screech.
“You’re riled up over a mortal,” Larkin said, leaning over the rail and watching the pair disappear into the lift.
“I can’t stand the interest people take in her.She’s mine.”
“She doesn’t argue that. Does she?”
“No.”
“Then I’d get used to it. If she survives this mess, she’ll be popular. Look at what her gift is capable of. Who wouldn’t want to brush shoulders with success?”
“I won’t allow it.”
“How do you plan to stop it?”
“She’ll be my wife, Larkin. I am her priority, like she will be mine.”
Larkin pushed herself away from the rail, brow furrowing. “You’re engaged?”
“Not yet. She hasn’t agreed.”
The laughter was unkind and rang across the floor. “Smart girl.”
“Fuck you.” I prepared to leave, not willing to have this conversation with her.
“Why do you want to marry her, Grayson? To trap her? Make her do your bidding?”
“Make her do my bidding? Have you met Quentin? That woman won’t do anything unless she comes up with the idea. You would know that if you’re speaking the truth.” I was livid, but deep down I knew Quen had extended the offer, but I didn’t understand why. I wasn’t sure I cared. “As far as trapping her is concerned—yes, I intend to trap her by my side for the rest of eternity. If she asked, I’d tell her the same thing. I’m not ashamed of it.”
“How is it possible for her to love someone like you?” Larkin muttered under her breath.
“I ask myself the same question every day.”
“She is too good for you.”
“Are you trying to say you’ll change your vote?”
“I still think death is a kinder fate than spending her days with us, even if you are bound to her. Eternity can be cruel, Grayson. Not all of us are comfortable living with our mistakes.”
“You think she’d be making a mistake?”
“I think she’s a mortal who had her head turned by a God. Ask yourself, do you truly think she’d be happy in Elysia? Away from the friends and the family she has here? You’re asking her to live an eternity knowing the people she loves will die, leaving her alone. What kind of life is that?”
“Whether she chooses to be in Elysia or not, that will happen. She’s a demigoddess, Larkin. Immortality runs through her.”
“Not if the council decides against her. Think carefully, Gray. Everything you’re offering her—Elysia, marriage—comes at a cost.”
I was done with this conversation. Larkin didn’t even warrant a farewell as I took off down the corridor to head back to the lab where Quentin would be back at work with a coffee I failed to deliver.
“Don’t trap her in a life because it’s what you want, Grayson,” Larkin called after me. “If you care that much about her, then let her go. There’s a reason you refused to tell her and the rest of us, Gray!”
The rest of her rant was cut off as the doors of the lift closed, taking me up to the floor where Quentin would be working.
Larkin had no idea what she was talking about. I had no intention of letting Quen go.
