Malphas returned to his work. After several minutes, he paused as he realized Ophelos was staring at him. “There a problem?”
“When are you going to ask me for me daughter’s hand?”
Malphas blinked. Then blinked again. Had the old man actually said what he heard? “Pardon?”
“I’m not stupid, boy. Why else would one of your ilk still be here after all these months? I know what you can do. And I can only imagine the palace you probably call home. Why would you give that up to stay in me barn?”
That was a complicated answer. “I don’t live in a palace.” Honestly, his accommodations were only slightly better than the barn.
“You’re a demigod.”
“Whose father hates him.”
“What of your mother?”
“Don’t know. Could be dead. Rather hope she is.” Malphas had no idea why he was confiding in the old man. It wasn’t really like him to share such things. But then he’d grown used to saying such things to Lil. Maybe his new lippy openness was an extension of being around her. Made as much sense as any other explanation.
“You hate your mother?”
“No. That’s too strong an emotion for someone you’ve never really known. I feel nothing toward her. She dumped me off on my father, then went on with her life as if I didn’t exist.”
“That must have been hard on your father.”
“Not really. He dumped me off on one of his priestesses to raise. But at least he’d come around from time to time.” Mostly to make sure Malphas wasn’t giving in to his demonic urges.
Or to punish him for giving in to his demonic urges.
He definitely hated his father. That, he could never deny.
“So you’ve never had a family.” It was a statement and not a question.
“I have one now.” That fell out of his mouth before he could recall it.
He expected Ophelos to be angry at him for saying such a thing. But instead, he gave him a kindly smile. “Is that why you’re staying on here?”
“I like being a part of something.” Other than war and an army where he stood apart from his soldiers. They begrudged him his rank and resented the fact that his father was a god. He’d always felt as if he walked around them with a target on his back.
Here, he didn’t have to guard himself at all times. Neither Lil nor Ophelos made comments that were meant to let blood or compliments that were actually veiled insults.
“So again, I ask you… what are your intentions with me daughter?”
“I would love to marry her. Nothing would give me greater pleasure.”
Ophelos smiled. “Then you should ask her. Sooner rather than later.”
That was easier said than done. Malphas lived in fear that Itzal or one of the others would come seeking him. There was no telling what they would do if they found him here.
With her.
It’d be a disaster for the humans. Especially if his demon brethren realized the reason for his absence.
Lilliana.
They’d kill her instantly. If for no other reason than to force him home.
Lyseah would kill her out of sheer jealousy. Even though there were no real feelings between him and Lyseah. Her spite and treachery would demand Lil’s head. And he’d be forced to kill Lyseah. Hopefully before she killed the woman he loved.
Don’t even think about it.
