Why hadn't I considered that? An immortal lover tied to the Gods had sounded great. I could be myself and not keep secrets from him. I never had to worry about him finding out about Hermes or discovering why I didn't age. I could be with him forever. He would never die.
Never is a long time.
Eternity made men restless. It weakened vows and faded feelings. All feelings. I got over being hurt by Hermes. My love for him dulled. But that only happened after he destroyed my heart. I couldn't go through that again.
“What is it?” Rune asked.
“Are you sure you want to risk another date with me?” I asked.
His stare dropped to my lips, and just like that, my worry vanished. I didn't care about the future or my heart. It was pounding too fast to get hurt.
Rune's whole body screamed desire, so it was especially shocking when he said, “As if you're so great? Please. I was just bored.”
I gaped at him until he burst out laughing.
“You asshole!” I smacked his chest.
“The look on your face!” Rune shook his head. “Lora, seriously? You do know you're fucking incredible, right?”
I took a shaky breath. “You're not chopped liver either.”
He grinned broadly, all teeth and glinting eyes. “Thank you. Now, how about that ice cream?”
Chapter Eight
“So, how have you been?” Rune asked.
We were eating ice cream in his car again, the a/c blasting. I didn't care that there wasn't a view. The only view I wanted was of Rune. He had come back. Holy shit, he had come back. I wouldn't worry about him leaving again. I'd just enjoy the view while I had it.
“I've been good,” I said.
“You finish that painting yet?”
I paused with the spoon halfway to my mouth. “You mean my nemesis?”
He didn't even grin at that, just nodded.
“Funny you should ask.” I took my bite, swallowed, and thought about the painting. I hadn't touched it since I'd met him. “I've started three more.”
“Three more warriors?” Rune whispered.
“Yes. Maybe the reason I couldn't finish the first one was that it's meant to be a set. Four different men on four different battlefields.” I frowned down at my ice cream as I thought about how I'd been consumed every night by painting. At first, it was an escape from my thoughts of Rune, but then it becamean obsession. “I've finished two of them and the other two are nearly there, including my nemesis. I was planning on finishing him tonight.”
“Finishing him,” Rune murmured.
“Yes, why?” I transferred my frown to him. “You look upset.”
“Upset?” He laughed. “Why would I be upset about your painting? I was just fascinated by the process. I've never had any artistic talent.”
“How do you know? You could have been a famous painter in your past life.” I knocked his shoulder playfully with mine.
“Sure.” He rolled his eyes. “The famous warrior artist. What was his name?”
I chuckled. “Well, maybe not a famous one then. But people have multiple talents, Rune. You know, Jim Carrey is an artist.”
“Jim Carrey? The actor?”
“Yes.” I smugly ate my ice cream. “And David Bowie painted too. I've seen both of their work, and I'm not a huge fan of Carrey's, but it's still good. Bowie's is better. I mean, art is very subjective.”
