“The nobles would gossip.” Cerys flashed him a mischievous smile. “But they’ll all be dead, soon.”
Percy practically swooned. Planting a kiss on his cheek, Cerys returned to her notebook.
Phaedrus entered the room, still fussing with his cuffs. Had he told me his outfit came from Ainwir’s wardrobe, I would have believed him. The deep blue cape hung to his feet and shadowed his toga.
‘Any number of weapons could hide within.’ Ainwir would have said. ‘Not all of them blades.’
Brushing back a lock of his red hair, Phaedrus smirked at me. “Brace yourself. You’re not going to recognize the next one.”
“Why not—” I cut off when Eleos stepped inside.
Every day since we’d met, Eleos had worn white robes or a loose toga. He took the mantle of scholar so earnestly that he tried to look the part at all hours. Or so I liked to think.
Not today. A thin, nearly see-through black shirt clung to his skin, leaving little to the imagination. Its neckline was cut deep, as though the shirt didn’t think itself revealing enough. A dark red cloak hung from his shoulders, matching the red and black feathered mask around his eyes.
Seas. I hadn’t even seen him naked when we’d bathed together as a team. This was the first time I’d seenskin.
I felt positivelyscandalous, gazing upon Eleos like this.
Seraphim whirled around. “Percy!” She snapped. “What did you do to my scholar?”
“Nothing!” Percy threw his hands up. “He picked it out himself.”
“It’s not like . . .” Eleos fidgeted with his neckline. “I had many options.”
“Liar.” Percy grinned from ear to ear. “I had somethingfarfrumpier thanthat.”
“I dress elegantly. Refined,” Eleos corrected. “Notfrumpy.”
“I like it.” Seraphim grinned. “I always thought you could stand to let loose.”
“Relax, sister.” Phaedrus leaned on the wall, inspecting his nails. “You’re acting like a drunken aunt.”
“Because I am.”
I blinked and gaped. Maiden’s grace. Seraphim and Eleos wererelated. Judging from the matching expression on Percy’s countenance, he hadn’t considered that fact either.
“Oh.” Percy tapped my shoulder excitedly. “I did you a favor. Look.”
Chuckling at his words, I glanced expectantly at the door.
Seth swept into the room, and my ability to process words and thoughts failed me.
Gods. How had I managed to bedthat?
Seth had nothing resembling a shirt on. Every glorious inch of his chest was on display, hidden only by the thin toga wrapping his left shoulder, where his cape was pinned into place. One of his legs was hidden behind the long, dragging skirt of the fabric, but the other was clad in skin-tight black leggings and golden sandals.
A tiny hint of kohl darkened his eyes, and golden bands wrapped his arms, making his biceps stand out. I bit my lip, making a mental note to thank Percy in private.
Seth grabbed Eleos’ shoulders and peered down at him. “What is this?” He balked at the scholar. “Are you trying to outdo me?”
“I’m playing the villain tonight, right?” Eleos wore his half-smirk.
I could never tell whether the two of them liked each other or hated each other. Maybe it was both.
“That,” Percy declared. “Is how Seth dressed when we first met.”
“What?” I blurted out.
