And then he didn’t care. He knew.
Nate dragged his sodden shirt off, tossed it aside, and fumbled for the towel he’d flung on the bed days ago, pressing it to the seeping claw slashes on his belly. His self-healing had slowed, and his arms appeared almost gaunt. Unsurprising, considering just how much repairing his body needed.
He longed to lie down, shut off from this life if he could, but thanks to Aba’s phone call, his blooded kin was on her way. Cussing again, he trailed to the window, pressing one bruised fist on the cement sill, the other clutching the towel. He glared out into the murky evening. A drizzle turned everything gray and oppressive.
Hades, he was tired.
Of this life.
Of what he’d become.
Of every-fucking-thing.
Pain ratcheted in retaliation at his clenched jaw, splintering into his already hurting skull, and he grunted.
No, death wasn’t for him, not yet. He had a score to settle with the one who’d set him on this path. Vengeance would be his.
CHAPTER2
Six months later…
“You ain’t getting that shot, Elytani of Ademéras.”
Ely narrowed her eyes at Týr’s grin as he countered her moves like the wily immortal he was. She continued bouncing the basketball on the courtyard cleared of snow, waiting for a clear shot. “You think?”
“I know.”
Darn taunting male. But she refused to let him throw her off her game, no matter her exasperation with him. He’d already thrashed her butt once too many times.
Man, she should have jogged straight back to the castle when she’d found him shooting his free throws. Instead, she’d swiped his pitch and went in for a three-pointer. Big mistake. Now she was out a hundred bucks.Vae!
Since she’d set the bet, something she’d learned from Echo to do up-front when playing with the guys, she needed to win this before her pride got trampled right down to the core of the frozen earth.
“Tell you what, El,” he drawled while shamelessly blocking every move she made with an ease that made her want to groan. “How about we change up the bet a little? Make this shot, and my Corvette’s yours for a year. If I win, I’ll add your ten dollars to my already over-flowing coffers of ten dollars.”
Yep, dangle the bait.Gah!
Since Hedori had taught her how to drive, she’d wanted to get her hands on one of the automobiles humans used for transportation. And here, Týr offered her his newly acquired vintage car on a platter.
Vae, if only someone would distract him for a second.
“Scared?” he taunted as she bounced the ball away.
Heck yes! This was her crumbled pride she had to pick off the ground.
“As if,” she snorted. “You’re on—”
“Týr?” Kira called out, her spiral locks cascading around her pretty face as she hurried across the tarmac court to them, holding a small plate with two creamy cupcakes piled with cherries. “I have something for you.”
His head snapped to his mate.
Ely leaped up, making the shot—
“Holy creamy cupcakes, I won!” she yelled, jumping and punching the air, her long braided hair whipping her back. “Thank you, cupcake gods!”
Týr spun around, jaw nearly smacking his chest.
Kira burst out laughing.
