Page 152 of The Gods Forbid

I could imagine they were. Even though I’d missed most of it, having been unconscious and all, I could tell how raw those minutes were while I’d been out.

Persy was beautiful when there were emotions scattered all over her face.

“My aunt?” I asked, even though I wasn’t sure it was wise that I knew where she was. I wasn’t sure I wouldn’t kill her.

“She’s in a human prison,” Adrian answered, his jaw going hard. “Unluckily for her, when she chose to make her attempt on Persy’s life that public, then after—” he broke off, waving his hands between us, wisely sparing us both a retelling of events. “I think it’s best we let them deal with her.”

“Fine by me,” I said, my voice full of anger. “At least her idiocy will spare us in the future.” I doubted any of my remaining family members would try anything after witnessing the power of the gods displayed in front of their eyes, and the treatment my aunt was surely going to receive in the human media.

“I think this might be over,” Reyna hedged, running her hand down Adrian’s arm. Even her words didn’t seem so bitter, like she was ultimately thankful for all of this.

I understood that. I doubted Adrian would have pulled his head out of his ass as soon as he did without this. Really, he should be thanking me.

I kept my mouth shut.

Persy’s hand tightened on my forearm. “Everything is settled. Loose ends tied. Heirs instated.” She tipped her head up to look at me, and I resisted the urge to kiss her again. “You need to pick someone else, though.”

“I’m not going anywhere,” I said, the words a reminder.

Persy shook her head slightly. “I don’t even like the idea that I’m the one who would take your power. That’s yours alone. Pick someone else.”

I could move Penn and Nikolas up in order, I guessed. But she was still making that list somehow. I trusted her more than anyone.

This time, I didn’t resist the urge to kiss her, dropping one quick peck on her lips. Adrian didn’t seem to hate it as much this time around.

Good, he was accepting the fact I wasn’t going anywhere.

Quite the development.

Right when I pulled away, still looking at Persy, a thought popped into my head. I pulled her closer as I spoke. “I just finished a painting that, if I do say so myself, is pretty good. Probably would fit well at the Olympian museum. We could do a reveal and hold hands and tell everyone how much the gods love each other and all that shit.”

Adrian smothered a laugh under his hand. “You can laugh, you know,” I added. “It won’t kill you.”

Adrian shot me the middle finger, but said, “As long as it’s not anything I do not need to be seeing of my sister, fine.”

He was fucking insane if he thought anyone but myself and Persy would be laying eyes on those. “Don’t cry. It’s a good one.”

Reyna laughed, sharing a loaded look with Persy. I guess Reyna wouldn’t be the worst sister-in-law to have. She actually reminded me quite a bit of Penelope. They both seemed to feel things very intensely.

“I, for one, am excited to see it,” Reyna said, moving to stand. She turned to Adrian, placing her hand in his. “Let’s leave them to themselves.” When Adrian hesitated, giving Persy a weary glance, Reyna added, “Or do I need to remind you what you did after I got shot?”

Though there was a distant pang of regret at the reminder, I mostly felt fine, focusing on the fact that Adrian was grumbling. And when Persy scrunched up her nose and turned into my bicep, I felt completely content.

“Come on,” Reyna said through a laugh, pulling Adrian after her. With one final look at us, Adrian backed his wife through a portal and left us alone.

“He’ll make an alright brother-in-law,” I informed Persy.

She gasped, turning in my arms and looking up at me. “That’s quite the escalation,” she said, though there was a clear note of hope in her voice.

I brought my hand up to her face, tracing the perimeter and settling it on her jaw. “I had six months to think about it. Not an escalation at all.” Persy’s answering smile made me offer up even more. “Besides, the Oracle already told me you’re marrying me.”

Persy frowned. Quite adorably, I might add. “She did not tell you that.”

I shrugged. “She showed me you. That’s enough.” I used to think that prophecy meant that Persy was going to be my end, but she had clearly been a gift.

“You know what, I think we should go to Delphi,” Persy said, rising up on her toes in excitement.

I felt myself smile. “I think you’re right. I’m bringing the bows. I want another favor out of you.”