“I don’t know—you tell me? What other reason can you have for remaining here?”
He glances at me. “I have my reasons.”
Belara looks over at me, too. Her delicate brows knit, and her perfect mouth turns down slightly. “Speak truly, Kalos. I would know your real reason. We both know you’re still in love with me.”
I choke on my apple slice.
“You are Lies, Belara,” Kalos says over my coughing. “Everything you say is misdirection.”
“Is it?”
“Unless it’s a question, aye. I know you can’t tell the truth at the moment. One liar sees another. Even now, my tongue grows heavy every time I try to tell the truth. It is a struggle.” He reaches over and brushes hispinky finger with mine. “I endure it for now, but I do not enjoy it. Nor do I enjoy your company.”
“Lies,” the goddess announces.
“That one is all truth.” Kalos’s expression grows wintry, his body language more rigid. “We have millennia of mistrust between us. You think a few days of flirting and working together will suddenly change all that? We both know the reason you have decided to suddenly sprout feelings for me again. You want an army and you think I’ll provide you with one.”
Belara leans forward, all urgency. “You think I haven’t noticed that the whoreson Seth is targeting female goddesses? I could be next!”
“But you’re not.”
She bares her teeth in an angry snarl. “Does this mean you won’t help me?”
My nose tickles and I discreetly sniff, wondering if Kalos is about to draw on his limited powers against the goddess. But he only glares at her as if her very presence offends him, every inch the scorned ex-lover.
“Now that I have re-absorbed the Aspect of Lies, I know all his motives for working with you, Belara dear. Do you want to know the truth of it?”
“No,” the goddess says sullenly.
He smirks at her. “Let’s just say he was using you as much as you were using him. I never intended upon giving you an army. If you want an army, make your worshippers leave their comfortable temples and don armor. Spend some of the jewels they hoard and buy mercenaries. You are not helpless. Quit pretending to be so.”
To my surprise, the goddess’s mouth quivers. Her chin trembles, and she looks like she’s about to cry. It’s the most distressing sight, because even on the verge of tears, Belara isstunningly, achingly gorgeous. Kalos is being so cruel to her, too. I glance over at him, worried that he should try to be a little nicer. She’s just scared.
At the sight of the goddess’s tears, Kalos rolls his eyes in disgust. He glances over at me as if to say “do you see this shit?” when he looks at me…and stops.
My nose tickles again. A bit of wetness slides down my upper lip. I touch it, and when I draw back, my hand is covered in blood.
“Am I dreaming again?” I whisper.
“No.” Kalos hands me a napkin. His face is exceedingly gentle as he watches me. “You’re all right, Elsie.”
“Lies,” Belara hisses.
I look over at the goddess, startled. Gone are the tears and shy weakness. She’s all anger now, her lip curling in disgust as she regards me and Kalos.
“Ignore her,” Kalos says to me. He holds the napkin to my nose, the fabric soaking with my nosebleed.
“When are you going to tell her the truth, mylove?” Belara asks, gloating. She leans back in her chair, all confidence now. “When will you admit what’s really going on? I can keep your secrets, but you know my price.”
“Silence.”
“Buy my silence,” she counters. “But I suppose it’s too late now, isn’t it?” She clicks her tongue and gives me a pitying look. “Too late for everything, alas.”
What is she talking about? I look over at Kalos for answers, but he jerks to his feet. He holds a hand out to me, indicating I should join him.
I put my hand in his and stand, and I’m immediately dizzy. I pitch forward, and Kalos catches me. He cradles me against him, reassuring me with whispers that everything is fine.
Belara just laughs, the sound low and cruel and yet somehow lovely.
