“None of this is what you expected. If I’m honest, I think even the Gods would say that they’ve been caught off guard.”
“What’s the etiquette for this? Can I just go back and tell them I don’t want this?”
Gray stretched his long legs out in front of him and fixed his gaze on me. It was strange to see one of his brilliant blue eyes was now a deep brown. Still my Gray, but a little different. Bearing his own battle scars.
“Is that really what you want?” he asked, curiosity colouring his tone. “To tell them you don’t want the position.”
“I can’t even control my aura, Gray. How am I meant to lead the heavens? I’m not exactly qualified.”
The corner of his mouth lifted in a smirk. “So, let me get this straight. You’re worried about the fact you can’t control your aura and not because you’ve swooped in and taken my job from under my nose?”
“Correct. You backed this ludicrous idea,” I reminded him. “Thank you, by the way.”
“You’re welcome, baby.”
I sighed and dropped my head in my hands. The conversation with Larkin swirled in my head. She wanted to place the power in my hands for two reasons: Elysia needed to change and she wanted to make sure that I wasn’t powerless.
A heavy hand rubbed my back, and I took in a deep breath before lifting my head.
“You are qualified because you are divine,” Grayson pointed out.
“If that’s the only qualification you need to run the heavens, then I can see why you guys are in such a mess.”
“We try not to overcomplicate things.”
A laugh escaped my lips, and Gray smiled at me.
“There she is,” he murmured. “My golden girl. Quentin, there is a reason you have support, and it comes down to more than your aura and whether or not you can control it.”
“Don’t do that.” My voice had an edge of steel to it. “Don’t try and flatter me into accepting the position. I might not have been part of Elysia for long, but I understand that there are politicalmotivations for having me there. That I’m this middle ground that you all think you’ll be able to manipulate to serve you.”
Gray’s features hardened. “When have I tried to manipulate you? Since our bond, when have I tried to use you?”
“I don’t mean you, but don’t act like the rest of them aren’t feeling that way.”
He sighed. “You being a demigoddess, the only demigoddess, means that the minor Gods have an enormous interest in you. You did well to form friendships and alliances while you were in lower Elysia. And, of course, the elite hope that you’d be kind enough to us because of our bond.”
“I’d burn it all down if I could,” I muttered.
The events of the last few days all rushed to the surface, and I swallowed back a scream. They were still Gods with egos. Still not worth relying on or trusting. A genuine friendship in Elysia was rare. There would always be someone with an agenda. Always someone who knew what you could offer and would find a way to take it from you if you didn’t go along with their plans.
“So, do it,” Gray said, breaking through my thoughts. “I’m not sure how much there is left to burn, but finish it off. And then rebuild it in your image.”
“In your image, you mean,” I said, letting my doubts seep into my relationship. “You’ll have your own ideas, which I’m sure you’ll be eager to share.”
Gray raised his hands in the air defensively before he pulled me into his lap. He grabbed my chin gently, guiding it until I met his eyes.
“Listen carefully, Quentin Scott,” he said in a quiet and firm voice. “I have worshipped you before anyone else had the chance. In all the time I have spent with you, I have learned that you are insatiable when it comes to your curiosity as many other things. I have learned that you would rather die with your truths than to accept a lie. I have no interest in trying to make you avoice piece for my manifesto.” Gray looked disgusted. “Do you think so little of me that I would get you to do my dirty work?”
“Of course not,” I said, soaking in the reality.
This was Gray. He had let me lead the way and only stepped in to protect me or when I had the wrong answer. He wasn’t about to feed me all his ideas and expect me to implement them purely because this had been his dream, but I was the more palatable option.
“I’m sorry,” I told him. “I’m just cautious.”
“Because?” He let go of my chin and brushed some hair from my face.
“Because you all don’t think twice before turning on someone. If I make the wrong decision, am I going to be expected to face a war again? My life is going to be on the line because they’ll look for someone to blame.”
