The houses I had been welcomed into in Elysia were a representation of their owners. I had no expectations for Hunter’s home, considering the multitude of personalities he displayed. So, I was slightly underwhelmed to see that it possessed cream walls with blue accents and dark woods. It was too well kept together, almost as if no one lived here. Everything had a place. Everything exuded an air of control, because that was what he liked—control. If I were to sum it up in a single word, it would be soulless. Rather like its owner.
“Ignore Larkin,” he commented, as we walked through the hallway. He had dropped his arm and his aura from around me, and I couldn’t be more thankful. “She projects her own failures onto those around her. I should have never married that one. Erik warned us. She never understood my vision for Elysia.”
“Some might argue that she knows you best.” The comment slipped out of my mouth before I could stop myself.
He stopped, forcing me to do the same. Hunter turned slowly and stared at me with dead eyes. I swallowed thickly,uncomfortable with being under his scrutiny. If I’d failed minutes after setting the plan in motion, it would go down in history. There was something ironic about dedicating my life to making sure my legacy was all about success and I had potentially messed it up in a single sentence.
“Larkin was a mistake. We were young, and I was impulsive. I thought she was ambitious because that was what she led me to believe. It took me some time to learn that laziness was her true nature. Larkin had no interest in working together. She could not put petty arguments aside for the sake of Elysia. Not exactly the most benevolent woman.”
The ache ran through my jaw. “I heard you weren’t the model husband, either.”
“A war of he said, she said, which I have no interest in taking part in. She was granted a divorce and is free to do as she likes. Larkin’s lies and life are no longer my concern.”
In through the nose and out through the mouth. Subtle breaths as he turned his back to me and walked into the living room. I followed behind him, mind reeling.
It didn’t bother him that I alluded to the years of abuse Larkin had suffered at his hands. Hunter justified every single one of his actions with no hesitation or concern. That was incorrect. He didn’t have a justification because he didn’t truly believe he’d done wrong. The realisation made my blood run cold.
I stopped in the doorway of the room as he collected some papers from a bookshelf.
“You’ve proven yourself to be much more than Larkin ever was,” he said, tidying the sheets and turning back around to face me.
“I’m not sure I understand. We’ve barely had a conversation.”
“Let me show you where you’ll be staying.” Hunter approached me and I backed away. He didn’t acknowledge the way I avoided him, but strode out of the room and down the hallway. The papers were still clutched in his hand. “You’ve proven yourself to be ambitious, Quentin. Even when we believed you to be mortal, your track record spoke for itself.”
I digested his words as I climbed the stairs behind him. It was a need, and I did all I could to hear them. I wasn’t ashamed to admit that for most of my life, I had preened at words of praise. Nothing compared to hearing people acknowledge my ambition and intelligence. I wore the traits like a badge of honour. As armour to protect me from all the chaos in my life. Now, I wasn’t sure ambition was a quality I should pride myself on.
“And then your dirty little secret came out.” If the words weren’t enough, there was a darkness to his tone that assured me my existence still infuriated him. “A demigoddess. Contrary to what you may believe, I’m not ashamed to admit that I made a mistake. I was hasty in my decision to protect Elysia. You can understand that my home and my people are my priority. But in my haste, I overlooked your value.” He pushed open a door to a room and looked at me expectantly. “This will be your room.”
I took a hesitant step inside and was relieved to see that it was a generic guest room with basic furniture. If Hunter insisted I stay in his room, this would have fallen apart before it started.
“Success,” he whispered. The word was coveted like a prayer. I turned around to see him studying me intently. “It has been a long time since Elysia was gifted with your ability. Teamed with your aspiration, I’m sure you can understand that I am only doing what is best for the Gods. And in doing what is best for the Gods, I am helping mortals. Your brother and his wife. Gareth. Not all of us are blessed enough to have bonds. Perhaps we were designed for things bigger than a single soul.” A sad smile gracedhis lips. “Love and duty are two things that should never be placed head-to-head.”
I could see it now. It was clear how Hunter could have the heavens believe in everything he said. It wasn’t just the words that were carefully crafted. He knew the right tones and the subjects that would force a tug at your heartstrings. Hunter identified the cause and made himself the martyr. If you didn’t know better, you would throw roses at his feet for all the sacrifices he was willing to make. For putting aside his happiness in order to live a life of service to the Gods of Elysia and the mortals on Earth.
He wanted me to believe that this was all for the heavens. He wanted me to believe that marrying me and condemning Gray was for a greater good. Poor Hunter, who had never been soulbound. He had to marry a woman who would help him in his position as ruler.
Bullshit.
I saw through the mask. My success was what he wanted. Ig’s warning rang clear through my mind. There would always be those who wanted our gifts because of what it could gain them.
“Don’t you need the council’s approval for this marriage to go ahead?” I asked. I was sure Gray had mentioned something about Hunter needing to approve Ig and Elva’s nuptials. “You’re not exactly winning them over with your charms, from what I’ve heard.”
“Careful, Quentin,” Hunter said smoothly, but I saw the way his shoulders tensed. How quickly the facade dropped now he knew it didn’t have to be kept in place. “Anyone else might think you’re obsessed with me. That you’re some gold-digging tramp.” His features smoothed over again. “Or perhaps you’re a caring partner who is looking out for my best interests. There are always two ways of looking at a situation.”
When he moved towards me, my instant reaction was to run. But there was nowhere to go. I didn’t dare move farther into the room, and getting past him would be impossible. So, I froze. With my heart pounding in my chest, I watched him get closer.
The deadliest predators weren’t the ones snarling and baring their fangs or those who had powerful muscles on display. Yes, you had to be careful of those, but you knew to steer clear. In my opinion, the most dangerous were those who knew how to conceal every move, and Hunter had become an expert in that.
Every muscle in my body ached as I fought against my instincts and stayed rooted to the spot. Hunter stood before me with a look in his eye that I couldn’t decipher.
“Which one is it?” he asked, cocking his head to the side.
“Neither,” I replied honestly. I had decided days ago when I would agree to this, I would keep the lies to a minimum in order not to trip myself up. The closer I stuck to the truth, the higher the chance I had of getting out of this alive. “It’s nothing more than survival instinct. If the council vetoes this, then I’m not stupid enough to believe that you’ll spare me.”
“Clever girl. No wonder Grayson had an interest in you. But he wasted all that opportunity.”
I kept my mouth firmly shut. No response would have been polite, and I was treading a thin line.
