Page 38 of The Gods Forbid

Whether or not she realized how unique her open, honest observation was, she was incredibly talented. That type of raw skill was like catnip to those who wanted something from you.

They took one look at someone who had the capacity to charm others with their skill and genuine love for what they did and couldn’t help but try to manipulate them.

There was absolutely no connection between my own personal history with that fact and the growing, volatile protectiveness I was feeling towards her.

I was used to the emotion, following years of feeling highly protective over my art or Apollo’s work, enough that it would be intentionally ignorant to act like the desire to make sure no one manipulated Persy was similar.

She wasn’t naive, not in the slightest. She’d made that clear.

But that didn’t mean people wouldn’t try, and hurt her in the process.

She had been nothing but kind to me. The least I could do was … return some of that kindness.

Though the thought of being intentionally nice made me a little queasy, I could start by making meals that I’d already be eating myself and make sure Persy was well-fed.

Especially since she tended to move through life like a beautiful little tornado.

“Right,” she said, clapping her hands and jolting me out of my thoughts. When I turned away from the sink, I found her lips turned down.

“I thought I told you I’d do the dishes,” she said, frowning at me while I wiped my hands clean.

“You never specified when,” I returned coolly. “I took it upon myself to clean up while you were changing.” And thank the Fates for that. Persy tended to walk out to the kitchen still in those silk pajamas she favored and that made the task of remembering what I’d been cooking for breakfast rather difficult.

I had no right to be looking at her like that.

I was invading her space enough by living in her damn house. I didn’t need to be slobbering all over her like a dog, let alone the fact that she was in charge of my return as Apollo and the little sister of a former friend and the god I tried to overthrow.

I’d simply have to get used to seeing her gorgeous, long legs assaulting me every morning.

Persy walked up to the sink, peering in and finding glistening, clean porcelain. Her frown deepened, her eyebrows pulling together in a way that could only be described as adorable.

I knocked that thought as far away as I could. “Just say thank you and tell me what you were going to say.” I leaned down and trying to pull her attention away from the sink.

Persy blinked up at me, her eyelashes fluttering as she tried to recall what she’d been about to tell me. I gave her the space to remember, happy to sit and wait.

After a moment, her full lips opened. “I am going to introduce you to your doctor today.”

There was no way I was keeping a scowl off my face.

Persy smiled in the face of it, like my reaction had amused her.

Well. That was a new feeling in my chest. Something close to … pride.

“I think you’ll like her,” Persy said, that smile still bright on her face.

A small scoff sounded from the back of my throat. “You sure this isn’t part of your plan to help me reconnect with my power?” I quipped. “Get used to telling the truth again or something?”

“Well, I certainly hope you tell the truth in those sessions,” Persy responded, her voice light with a laugh. “But no, I think your command over truth is something you should implement in your life, generally.”

Persy was so honest, I wasn’t convinced she wasn’t the test for truth herself.

I breathed in, remembering the promise I’d made to myself to be marginally more agreeable. “Are you going to be there?” I gritted out.

Persy sucked in a breath. “Oh, goodness, no.” She looked so offended by the prospect, that I had half the mind to apologize to her for bringing it up in the first place. “That’s entirely private.”

There was still a touch of anguish in her eyes, despite my affirmative grunt. Enough that I said, “Alright. When do we head out?” with as pleasant a tone as I could manage.

Persy’s shoulders relaxed, settling back on her feet. My own chest released an inch.