“Everything changed when I met the four of you.” My eyes burn as my emotions rise, but I swallow hard and keep going. “I warned you that I couldn’t tell you all my secrets. But I couldn’t help myself. I tried to resist. Keep my distance. But it didn’t work. The more I was around all of you, the more it felt like I fit,and the more I wanted to tell you. Each one of you matches with a different piece of me, but all five of us together felt complete.”
Angry, he leans forward. “Exactly. It’s why I’m so pissed at you. This was new to us—all of us interested in the same person. After all of these years together, we suddenly had a glimpse into a future we’d only secretly thought about, then you ripped it away.”
He stands, but I rise and grab his hand. Staring up at him, I plead for him to understand. “I didn’t know how deeply everyone felt. I swear. And the truth is, I didn’t know how hard I would fall for all of you. In three thousand years, I’ve never wanted more. And it sounds stupid, but it didn’t occur to me that our relationship was the beginning of something greater. Not until it was over.”
Jamison stares at me for a long moment, then pulls his hand from mine and thrusts it through his hair. “I’m not sure we knew either,” he admits as he glances at his watch. “Damn. I’ve got to pack. If we don’t leave on time, we’ll miss our meeting. We’ll talk more when I return.”
“Wait,” I tell him, reaching into my pocket to hand him the list. “Gatlin said you had your own list of mages, but here’s the one I asked Charlie to compile. He knows a lot of the mages less visible to the council. Maybe it will help.”
“Thanks, I’ll take a look.” His gaze drops to my lips, but then he looks away. “Be damn careful with Hera, and do what Gatlin says.”
With those words, he’s gone. Not once does he look back. Twenty minutes later, the three of them walk out of the house.
Hawthorne’s eyes meet mine, and he tilts his head toward the house. “I think I found a solution for the pomegranate. Follow the instructions. If you like it, I’ll create another when I return.” He steps off the porch and strides down the steps.
Jamison gives him a thoughtful look, then dips his head at me. “Gatlin and I will keep in touch. He’ll let you know when we’re coming back.”
“Be safe,” I call out to them both.
After they leave, Gatlin comes over and offers me his hand. Confused, I take it, and he pulls me over to the couch to sit. In the short time he’s been here, it’s kind of become his spot.
“I know the last couple of days have been rough. Are you ready?”
With a long sigh, I shake my head and settle in close. “No, I still need to pack.”
His arm curls around my shoulders, and everything inside me wants to sink into him and the protectiveness he offers. It’s not his strength. That’s only one aspect. This man knows how to care for someone. I feel pampered like I haven’t felt in a long time. A cool wind slides across me, and I snuggle into his massive body, letting his heat warm me.
He tilts my chin up and stares down at me, his golden gaze searching my eyes. “That’s not what I’m asking. The last thing I want is for you to confront Hera when you’re upset. Do we need to postpone?”
We.Damn.This man. I stare at his lips, wanting to kiss him, but unsure of how he’ll react. I’ve been attracted to him since that night we spent at The Hari, but I can’t tell if he feels the same. Sometimes I think he does, but I wonder whether I’m confusing his innate ability to care and protect with something more than friendship. Although his earlier response gives me hope. Then I recall my conversations with Hawthorne and Jamison. Maybe I should wait until things are more settled.
“I’m never ready when it comes to the gods, but the last two days have made me more determined than ever to find the panels which means I…we…have to complete Hera’s quest,” Ifinally reply, turning my head away from temptation to lay it on his shoulder.
He glances at his watch, but I place my hand over it. “We have time. Packing will take five minutes. Right now, I want to sit here with you.”
He scoops me in tight and chuckles. “Hmm. Sounds good to me. You know, both Jamison and Mathias take forever to pack. I’ve never understood it. Clothes, necessities. Not much to it.”
Mathias. Another person I need to apologize to, but I’m not sure if there is an apology that big. My actions separated him from his daughter, an act I doubt he’ll forgive.
I turn to Gatlin. “Hmm. I’m sure you pack more than you think. What about weapons?”
His golden eyes are twinkling when he gives me a mock growl. “Watch it. You can never have enough weapons.”
“I’m sure Mathias feels that way about his computers,” I tease him, then bite my lip. “I’m worried about him. Has he reached out?”
His brow dips, and I see the same worry reflected in his eyes. “Not yet. It’s early days, though. Vampires aren’t the most trusting, and they’ll be more suspicious of Mathias because he’s a member of our team. But the one thing that works in his favor is his desire to go home and see his daughter. He’s never been happy here, and they all know it. They’ll believe he’s truly interested in joining them. It will just take time.”
Biting my lip, I say a little prayer to the goddess Soteria to keep him safe. But I’ll feel better when I can see him. Touch him. Assure myself he’s okay. Even if he doesn’t want to talk to me.
Gatlin waves a hand. “I like your home. This land. The wide-open spaces. Reminds me of a time when we could fly for hours with nothing but the earth beneath us. When we get back, I’d like to take you flying.” His voice is tentative, as if he’s not sure of my answer.
My stomach clenches, but I can’t tell if it’s excitement or terror. For him to offer, though… “I guess. It’s not as if I can die.”
He chuckles. “See, it’s all perspective.”
We sit for another hour, enjoying the evening, until it’s time for him to fix dinner and me to pack. As I go in, I stop by the study to see what Hawthorne left me.
On my desk is a note with a seed inside it. Beside it is a large pot and a pitcher of water. Following his instructions, I put the seed in the dirt and pour in the water. A pomegranate tree immediately grows to four feet tall with fruit hanging from its branches. I frown. It’s beautiful, but I thought we agreed a tree wasn’t spectacular enough.
