Page 153 of The Gods Forbid

I did get my favor. As natural a talent as Persy was, I was the god of archery. Lucky for her, the favor I wanted was simply three days of uninterrupted time with her.

Chapter 38

Persy

On the last day of Sebastian’s six months in Prometheus, he came back as Apollo in the only way that mattered to him—as an artist.

Standing amongst countless paintings of his, and in front of Sunlight Incarnate, he was gifting the world with another Apollo masterpiece.

Most of the gods and several prominent human figures were gathered together for the reveal. While the gods knew what this day really meant, the humans were just happy to have something to brag about for the rest of their lives.

I, on the other hand, was just happy to see Sebastian happy.

He was standing in front of the wall that would house his painting for years to come, chatting casually with Reyna’s father.

“At some point, I’m going to need to hear everything,” Rose said, stepping up next to me and offering me a glass of champagne, her rings glittering in the sunlight. Including one resting on her fourth finger that looked new, the diamond fresh and sparkling.

I nodded, smiling. “I’d love to tell you. I enjoy talking about him, I’m afraid.” I was still a little shocked that we were together.

Rose laughed lightly, flagging Daphne over when she caught her eye from across the gallery. “You don’t have to explain that to me,” she said, affection clear in her voice.

“Glad to see you're well,” Daphne said as she approached, coming in for a quick hug.

I groaned slightly. “I’m sorry for the hysterics.” I barely remembered that night, let alone what I must have said in those horrible moments where I thought Sebastian was dead.

Daphne waved her hand in dismissal. “Don’t even start. Remind me to tell you about the time I thought Lukas died. That was the definition of hysterical.”

Rose laughed under her breath. “I can vouch for that. I saw her moments after.”

While Daphne was busy laughing, Reyna walked up to join us. “You should have seen Adrian when we went to go check on them,” she said, smiling at me. “I thought he was going to hurl.”

“Serves him right,” I grumbled, though my tone lacked fire.

“I have it on good authority you gave him shit from the beginning with our arrangement,” Reyna countered.

I laughed, remembering how much my father and I had teased Adrian when he’d brought Reyna over for dinner, looking thoroughly besotted with his fake girlfriend.

Before I could respond, Reyna’s smile turned into a sly grin. “Speaking of,” she said, pointing over my shoulder.

Right before I turned, I noticed the entire room growing still, their conversations dying and their backs straightening.

Out of respect, I realized, when I saw my parents walk through the gallery.

They chose a quiet life, having dealt with a fair deal of drama when they had fallen in love and discovered Adrian was on the way, prepared to change the entire fabric of our world.

And now they were here, walking in with their arms linked. My father stood tall and proud, his salt and pepper hair brushed back and his gray eyes bright. My mother’s dark curls were bouncing around her shoulders, her smile kind and clear.

Adrian got to them first, kissing our mother’s cheek and hugging our father. I got to them next, accepting tight hugs from both my parents, muttering a low apology.

Both of them knew. Of course, they knew.

I’d snuck away to their house on a particularly painful night, tearing up as my father brought me tea and my mother asked me what was wrong.

I felt Sebastian at my back a second later. I didn’t think a single person in the room was speaking as he extended a hand to my father. “Lord Jupiter,” he said. Then he turned to my mother, “Lady Zeus.”

My heart swelled. I’d mentioned one time that my mother preferred her Greek title.

And sure enough, that single moment was enough to win both my parents over. My dad clapped him on the shoulder, laughing. “Oh, you’re good.”