“I’m sorry.”
“It might not be my place to advise you because you have Gray, but his gift isn’t like ours. It’s rare that someone would ask Gray directly for the use of his gift. The consequences are too grand. Plus, he’s not the most personable God,” Ig told me with a sheepish grin. “Question everyone’s motive for wanting to know you, Scott. Be selective with the Gods you let near you.”
“You don’t have to worry, Ig. I’ve always been cautious.”
“Ig, sweetheart, is she still here?” Elva’s voice rang through the house.
The haunted look disappeared from his eye, replaced by the light I was accustomed to. Elva’s voice was enough to remedy the past betrayals Ig relived.
“Where else would she be?” he called back. “She’s got the happiest slice of Elysia with her.”
Elva’s slender figure appeared in the doorway, draped in deep purple. Her gaze momentarily landed on him before flicking to me.
“I’ll get out of your hair,” I said, jumping to my feet. “Get myself back to Gray.”
“He can wait a few minutes,” Elva replied.
She entered the room, making a beeline for me and it took all my control not to step back and away from her. Elva’s hands were icy as they cupped my face, thumbs running along my cheekbones before she pressed a kiss against one cheek and then the other.
“It’s good to have you back with us, where you belong,” she said, beaming.
Her hands trailed down my face, to my arms, until she laced our fingers together. Stepping back, she took me in, eyes growing glassy.
“Elva,” Ignacio said quietly. “Let her go.”
Her gaze travelled to her boyfriend. “Could you leave us alone to talk?”
My head whipped around to look at Ignacio, pleading with my eyes not to be left in this situation. But he was completely besotted with Elva, and what she desired was what he strived to accomplish.
“Of course. Be gentle with her.” Ignacio planted a tender kiss against her lips before leaving the room.
“How was training?” Elva asked. “Better than last time?”
“You heard about last time?” I mumbled.
“You’re like your mother. Quick to react and worry about the consequences after. The more I look at you, the more I can see Mal. She would have been so proud to see what you’ve become and—"
I ripped my hands out of Elva’s and took a step back, suddenly feeling like the walls were closing in.
“What’s wrong?” she asked, echoing my footsteps. I held out my hands to keep some space between us. “Quentin —"
“I’m not Mallory,” I told her, lowering my arms.
“I know that.” Elva bit her bottom lip and dropped her gaze to the floor. “I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable. That wasn’t my intention. It’s been a very long time since I’ve had any family around me.”
When I was younger, before I was adopted, I often wondered what it would be like to meet my biological family. I imagined it would be overwhelming and beautiful.Cinematic. That I would finally feel like I belonged and this strange sense of being alone would permanently disappear. In truth, it left me confused and with a knot of anxiety deep in the pit of my stomach.
“I’m not trying to replace anyone,” Elva assured me. “Gray told me you have an older brother. Cassidy? Correct?”
I tensed, hearing her mention Cass’ name. “Yes.”
“Perhaps we can all meet?” Elva suggested. “Family. He has a wife?”
“Fiancée.”
“I’m sure Gray will want to be there. And Ignacio will join us if you’ll allow it—"
“Elva,” I said, voice rising. “Wait.”
