They had all the time in the world, but for now, Acacius was content hiding away from it all with her in his arms.
A rainstorm hummedoutside of the stone awning. White moths fluttered around Marina’s long scarlet dress like specks of racing glitter. The stars hung in the nightly backdrop, dozens upon dozens of glimmering jewels.
The wind beat against the walls of the alcove, a white noise that became as normal as breathing. Behind it, earth crunched against earth, and seawater bloomed white foam. Even further past, a group of Heraldic Olethros rested beneath tall verdant trees, watching the master of the realm with his lover.
Acacius swayed with Marina under an arch of climbing roses and greenery, intoxicated by this moment with her. He stayed greedy for her to invade his space every day, every second.
He leaned down, brushing his lips against hers as they danced. “Stay here with me,” he murmured. “In Tavora. When you are not looking out for Ash.”
To share his home with another had been a dream, one he’d let go of early on in his days as a deity. Tavora was too much for most, but somehow not for her.
“I was already planning on it.” She pushed up on her toes and grazed her nose against his with a playful gleam to her eyes. “It’s been a long while since I left this place. I already consider it a home, and I always look forward to my return.”
The previous months had been long walks around Tavora that always turned into a chase, with her sprinting from isle to isle and Acacius punishing her with his tongue; endless nights in the hot spring under the moths and roses, his hand in her hair; late nights in Isolde with Mansi and Viviana, drunk and offering to be a shooting bag to the middle goddess’s newest creations, taking delight in the way Marina cackled alongside Viviana as he played; roaming the markets and shops alongside Marina, watching her try on gowns and gush about the fabric of the dress or the gem of her necklace.
A broad grin pulled apart his lips, a sense of weightlessness overtaking him.
“I love you, Rina.” He splayed his fingers out over the small of her back and pulled her closer.
She leaned into his palm, gazing up at him, her irises two aqueous, brunette pools, like the bitter chocolate that she adored so much. “It terrifies me most days, the love I have for you.”
“That makes me insatiably happy.”
A small laugh sang out of her. The gorgeous sound hummed through his chest, evoking a heat in him not even rivaled by his forge.
“I am enamored by you.” He dipped his head and caught the rose pendant on her chest in between his lips, tugging the chain around her neck.
Her breath caught as her fingers curled around his nape, feeling her take rest against his. A silent proof of her comfortability with him. A sign of her affection that he would cherish for the rest of their days.
Gods, he wanted her every day, here with him, just like this.
Her eyelids fluttered closed and her lips curved, content. “Good, because you are stuck with me forever.”
He trailed his lips up her chin and to the corner of her mouth, continuing to lead them in a gentle sway. “Let’s dance like this, every time it rains.”
She pulled herself up to meet him in a sweet, syrupy kiss. “Until the next, then.”
EPILOGUE
Theon stoodatop one of the many stories of the Blood Heretics’ compound, looking out at the main floor.
It was just like old times, in the basement at the Foxglove Brewery—tables with cards spread out over their surfaces, suit jackets swaying on the backs of chairs, smokes hanging from teeth, glasses of alcohol floating around.
Laughter swarmed the room. Comforting faces bounced from one end to the other. The setting was so familial that nostalgia cracked inside Theon’s chest, an unexplainable melancholy.
The Blood Heretics had always been more of a family than his own. He’d left that life centuries ago, and he never thought that he would have to see their masked faces again. A bitter taste coated his tongue at the thought.
His phone vibrated in the front of his coat, and he fished it out.
Ronin:Meet me in my office.
Theon sent a thumbs up in response and started that way.
He kept his hands in the pockets of his pants, reflecting on the trauma that the compound had undergone during Soren’s attack. The members were hard at work, rebuilding whatwas damaged, but unease circulated around the place like a pestilence.
Unavoidable dread had infiltrated the organization, its members knowing that Soren and others attacking the city would become a regular occurrence.
The whole situation was bullshit, considering the position Naia and Ronin were in with the Council. As much as Theon loathed to admit it, having powerful deities on their side was favorable, though it did not erase the cynicism he still felt toward them.
