“I love you, Quentin,” I told her softly.
More and more, I found myself saying the words. It was as if I couldn’t contain them within me anymore.
She glanced up at me from under her lashes. “I love you too, Gray.”
My eyes snapped to her face, and for once I was unsure if I heard her correctly. “Quen,” I said, cupping her face in my hands.
“I love you,” she repeated, almost making it sound like a question.
Something bloomed in my chest until I thought it might cause me to burst. Three simple words were enough to tear me apart at the seams and offer her my heart. I pressed my lips hard against hers and Quen fisted my shirt before I pulled away.
“You’re sure?” I asked, suddenly wary.
I searched her eyes, wanting to know this wasn’t another game of ours or a passing whim. I needed to know that she truly meant it. Love wasn’t something I craved until I came across her. Quentin was the only being in existence that I longed to impress and win affection from. Everyone else could burn and I wouldn’t blink, but she needed to love me with as much depth as I offered her.
Her expression softened, and she rose on her toes, trying to meet my eye. I leaned down slightly to meet her, hands sliding to her hips. The dark irises that I was accustomed to were flecked with gold.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen,” she whispered. “But I wish every day that I could have told my parents how much I loved them before I lost them. I don’t want to regret not telling you. So, yes. I’m sure. I love you, Gray.”
I’d finally found the courage to admit it. Living on borrowed time was pulling me apart. The declaration seemed worthless if I couldn’t guarantee that I’d be around for much longer. But the thought of my parents, of how I would have given anything to hear them say it one last time, let those three little words slip past my lips. We were never guaranteed tomorrow and I refused to waste another second.
Ignacio’s estate was blindingly bright after the comforting darkness of Gray’s manor. Even with my golden touches, the house remained shrouded in fog and an ominous sensation that I associated with the man I loved.
Ig’s manor was an open space. He preferred a minimalist approach to decoration, making every room seem cavernous. Sunflowers featured in varying sizes along the hallways. It was a house that radiated warmth, but it wasn’t quite home.
Not that Gray’s was home.
“You’ve improved,” Ig said, winding his aura back towards himself and walking up to me.
Gray had left me with Ignacio to train again. It was probably for the best. My emotions were never under control when Gray was around. They bubbled just under the surface as he pulled the best and worst out of me. Without my favourite distraction, I could focus better and Ig’s drills felt less draining.
A heavy hand clapped down on my shoulder and I gave him a weak smile. “I really want to return to Earth.”
He grimaced. “What’s so great down there? Don’t you want to be a part of Elysia?”
“What’s so great about this place?”
Ignacio laughed, a sound so deep and warm that my smile grew. “We’re meant to work together. That should have been enough of an argument to convince you to survive and join our ranks,” he explained.
“You’re not selling it,” I teased, and he showed me his middle finger. “Ig, can I ask you something?”
“Depends on what it is.”
“It’s about our gifts. You can’t deny a God a direct request, but you all seem hesitant to ask.”
Ignacio jerked his head at the sofa, a lock of his dark hair falling out of place. We sank onto the orange monstrosity, my body almost disappearing in the soft cushions that were backed there.
“It used to be normal for us to request favours from each other. A way to be a cohesive unit and aid our kin. But there are always those who take it too far. Your gift is exactly that. It’s the essence of you. When someone requests use of it, they are taking something that belongs to you. Something sacred.” Ignacio took in a deep breath and had a far-off look in his eye. “You can’t say no and people abused that. Kieran, Gray’s father, forbade Gods from asking.”
“But they still do.”
“We are selfish beings, Quentin. We will not stop at getting what we want.”
The hairs on my arms and at the back of my neck rose to attention. I reached out and placed a hand on his arm gently.
“People have used you to get what they want,” I breathed, but the words seemed loud in the room.
Ig’s hand reached up, resting over mine. His fingers drummed against my skin gently. “Gifts like yours and mine are beautiful. I’d argue that they’re the most valuable. But they are dangerous in the wrong hands. I learned the hard way to keep your circle tight, Scott.”
