“Overseeing my temple in Narshire. I’m sending suggestions to the head priest.” His mouth twists. “The fool’s got terrible taste in decorating.”
“Says the man who lives in a bone-covered temple.”
“It creates the right ambiance.”
“If you say so. When is Jemet arriving?” The compassionate priestess from the swamps of Farneath has been designated as “chosen by Kalos” and is traveling to the new temple to serve there. It’s a great honor and well deserved, because she saved our butts back when Kalos and I fled. We haven’t forgotten her kindness.
“Soon, I hope, before that fool decorates the entire temple with statues of my face.”
“The horrors,” I tease. Then, I gesture at the wealth offlowers in my hands. “Speaking of decorations, can you magic me up some vases or containers for these?”
Immediately, a series of long tables assemble out of bones, along with multiple ornate glass vases. I move to the first table and unload my flowers, then begin to pluck a few out of the bushel. One drops to the floor, immediately snatched up by Bella.
“These goats have no sense of self-preservation,” Kalos comments. He gets to his feet, and the scrying pool disappears as he moves to my side, his arms going around my waist.
“I noticed. They’re making it impossible to grow anything.”
“Want me to kill them?”
“They’re immortal, and no.” I make a face at him. “We both know you wouldn’t do it anyhow.”
He grunts, resting his head on my shoulder as I work. “Why the flowers?”
“I’m decorating for your brother’s visit. Speaking of, you were going to make this place cozier.” I wave a purple iris at the exact same surroundings despite me spending several hours in my gardens. “More welcoming.”
“I added a few more vultures to the roof. That’s all Rhagos gets from me.”
That’s not exactly making the Plane of Vultures warm and friendly. It’s making it, well, more vulture-y. “Did we need more?”
“One can always have more.” He leans in, kissing my neck. “Why does my brother need flowers? He’s the god of death. Are you trying to intimidate him by destroying your garden? Demonstrating how many poisons we have on hand?”
“Flowers lighten up a room,” I say, chuckling. “It’s not anything other than me wanting to make the place more welcoming.”
“I don’t want to welcome him. We’ve been estranged for millennia and that suits me just fine.”
I snort and add a few more bright yellow daffodils to the bouquet I’m making. It’s really incredible how many beautiful plants are wildly deadly. “He requested to meet. Max—his Anchor—wants to get to know us, and it’s a good idea for the two of you to speak about the whole Seth situation. I agree. We need to have a united front against that prick.”
Kalos grunts, as if he doesn’t quite believe it. “More likely that Rhagos wants something from me.”
“Like a relationship with his brother?”
“Unlikely.” He brushes my hair aside with his fingers and kisses my neck again. “You smell delightful, my maiden. Forget the flowers and come to bed with me.”
I pause, tempted. I do like the idea of lounging in bed, kissing each other all over, but Rhagos and his consort will be here soon. “I want to, but then the goats will eat all my freshly grown flowers.”
“I’ll grow you more.”
“It’s not the same.” I smile. “Your way is cheating.”
“It’s not cheating. I’m a god. This entire domain is mine to do with as I please.”
So he says. “Then why do we still have bone walls?”
“Because I’m still collecting enough scabs for your throne, my sweet.” He nips at my earlobe.
A peal of laughter escapes me, and I collapse against him, forgetting all about flowers and company. I turn in his arms, lifting my face to his for more kisses. Kalos’s mouth devours mine, and I gasp as he blatantly licks my parted mouth. My entire body hums with excitement, and I slide my hand, flowers still clutched tight, to his hip. He?—
A goat—Ollie—rips the flowers out of my grasp and racesaway with his prize. Bella bleats and races after him, their hooves clattering on the bone flooring.
