“What did you hear?”
“Nothing, really. I couldn’t risk hanging around, but Hunter said something about making good on their deal.”
I knew he was up to something from the moment Quen was passed over to Archer, but I didn’t know exactly what it was. What could benefit them both? They weren’t even fighting on the same side when it came to Quentin.
“Why are you telling me this?” I asked Mal. “You’ll probably be removed from your position if Hunter finds out.”
“Because I like Quentin and she deserves to come home and be with the rest of us. If Hunter’s trying to manipulate the vote—"
Hunter was right, and I’d always known it. People liked her. People wouldn’t do things for me because of me. But they would do things for me because of my association with Quentin. It hadn’t escaped my notice how much more welcome I’d been around my kin when Quen was by my side. We’d secure her life and then work on making the council ours.
“With Archer?” I questioned. “That wouldn’t make any sense. Archer isn’t part of the council and Hunter seems to be coming around to our way of thinking.”
I couldn’t guarantee that, but our conversation had been the smallest step in the right direction.
“I don’t understand it either, but you have to admit it’s unusual.”
“Whatever they’re planning, whatever deal they have, I doubt it has anything to do with Quentin's existence. I’ve no doubt he’s been trying to get Hunter to stop the impending wedding.”
Archer had continued to send her flowers and his outbursts concerned my bond with Quentin. He wanted to pull us apart and he would try everything, including running to Hunter but it was impossible. There was nothing they could do to break what fate had gifted us.
“Do you think he will?”
“He can try.” I laughed. “But it won’t work. I’m going to marry that woman even if it’s the last thing I do.”
Malachi relaxed. “I expect an invitation.”
“She wouldn’t let me miss you off the list,” I explained. “Let’s join the madness.”
We walked back onto the grounds where our kin danced wildly and without care of what they looked like. My presence cut a course through the small group and the smile that lit up Quentin’s face when she saw me set my chest on fire.
“Enjoying yourself?” I asked, taking her into my arms.
She hummed. “Are you going to dance?”
“You all seem to have that part under control.”
There were some curious eyes from people who’d heard her comment. I wasn’t known for being the most social God. While I attended events, I was happy to stick to the wall and observe from a safe distance.
“Please.” Quentin reached up and kissed me. “Or I’ll be stuck with Flynn all night.” I frowned, and she laughed. “Is that a yes?” she asked.
“Yes, trouble. I’ll stay and dance with you.”
Things would change soon enough. My reputation as a sulking God with minimal patience would fractionally soften because, with Quentin permanently by my side, it would be difficult to keep every sharp edge I’d accumulated over millennia. But as I joined her, watching her sway to the music and laugh with Erik, minor Gods backed away, giving us space.
Quentin was safety and warmth. She was a symbol of what so many people had lost and thought they would never have again. And I was the symbol of what led them to that belief.
They left a core group of us together, and I accepted the fact, again, that Quen would forever be the reason anyone ever gave me a chance. Then we could build on our future together. Quentin was the priority, but I hadn’t given up on my ambition. My brother wouldn’t maintain his position for long.
“Ilook forward to the day you ascend and can leave this forsaken job behind,” I grumbled.
Quentin sat in between my legs, laptop open in front of her as she corrected the paper on the screen. The sun streamed weakly through the window of our estate as she satisfied her mind by working.
“The reason I work is so that I can ascend,” she said in return, squinting at the screen.
I growled in her ear, “Take a break.”
My lips skated across her neck and she swallowed hard, getting distracted. The skin on her bare thighs transformed with goosebumps as I ran my palms along them. Her fingers froze over the keys as I inched the shirt further up her legs.
