Page 44 of The Gods Forbid

I looked around the halls, only to find people passing us with a wide berth, but clearly interested. Their eyes were curious, though, which could have either been a desire to ask Persy for something or one to spy on me and my progress. “How long do you think it will take everyone to get used to seeing me here?” I asked, as one younger-looking man actually scurried away from me like his tail was on fire.

Persy must have noticed the same, because she let out a small laugh as the pitter patter of his feet sounded down the hallway. “I imagine soon. Though I doubt it’s what you think it is.”

My gaze swung back to her to find her already looking up at me. Well, that did something odd to my chest. “What do you mean?”

“I don’t think they’re scared of you. It’s probably more that you’re—” Persy cut herself off, her eyes blowing wide as she realized she’d spoken without thinking.

Oh, she was not getting out of this one. “That I’m what, love?” I asked, hoping the endearment would pry the information out of her.

Persy breathed in, her chest rising. I did not notice what that movement did to her breasts. Certainly didn’t notice how they pressed against the line of her shirt. After another steadying breath, Persy said, “I think they are more interested in the way you look than why you’re here.”

“What is the way I look?” She wasn’t getting out of this without some variation of the word attractive falling from her lips.

Persy’s eyes narrowed at the challenge. A truly disturbing level of pride swelled in my chest at that expression. “You know how you look.”

I tsked, stepping closer to her. “I don’t have a mirror at the moment. Why don’t you enlighten me?”

Persy’s head tilted back to keep eye contact, and my hand itched with the urge to brace the back of her skull. Her eyes flitted over my face, like she was deciding which word to describe my features. “You’re quite handsome.”

Well. I didn’t expect that to hit me like a shot to the chest. “Is that you saying you think I’m handsome?” I asked, not knowing which answer I thought was worse.

Persy opened her mouth to respond, her eyes glowing in a way I’d learned meant she was about to respond without thinking when someone signed their death sentence by interrupting us.

“There you are!” A prickly voice called from down the hall. Maybe it wasn’t objectively all that annoying, but it registered like clanging bells in my ears.

I ripped my eyes away from Persy’s to find Nikolas jogging down the hallway, seemingly hellbent on ruining my day in all his former sea-god glory.

“What,” Persy started, then cleared her throat. “What is it, Niky?”

I fought a disgusted groan in the back of my throat.

Nikolas’s gaze bounced back and forth between us, the unnatural sea-blue in his eyes sparkling when he focused in on the space between us. Or the lack of space, rather. I practically had Persy backed into the wall.

I wasn’t sure how much power he still had, but I wouldn’t have been surprised if one of the fountains started spouting water in my direction, he looked so mad. It was either jealousy or protectiveness, both of which made me want to break his teeth in so he couldn’t even speak.

“A few people came by your office asking for you,” Nikolas finally said, dragging his eyes to Persy. “Seemed urgent.”

Persy smiled, even though there was a tinge of frustration behind it. “Was it urgent?”

Nikolas shook his head. “No, which is why I told them to try to figure it out themselves then come back if they hit a wall.” Well, maybe he did have a brain on him after all. “I left the office to get away from them and look for you. It’s almost lunch.”

So he was in her office, huh? And they had lunch plans? Nevermind, he was dumb as a bag of rocks.

Persy blinked a few times, like she was trying to recall what plans they had. After a moment she rose up on her toes then back down. “Right! Sorry!”

Nikolas smiled, looking relieved. “Thank you. It’s just that I—” He broke off with a doubtful look in my direction.

Whatever. It didn’t matter whether or not we had been friends in the past. He didn’t trust me and I wanted to punch him in the stomach.

Persy waved her hand in front of her. “No, no, I promised. We’ll go.”

Nikolas breathed out, the sigh dropping his shoulders a full inch. I shoved down the curiosity prickling at the back of my mind. I had zero, zero interest in whatever that was.

Persy turned to me, an apology already brewing in the clouds in her eyes. As if I could read her mind, I could tell she was sorry for not inviting me to wherever they were going.

Oh, I had no desire to watch them interact any more than I already had. That was fine, I had plenty to do. “You go,” I said, speaking solely to Persy. “I have a list to compile for you.”

“You remembered,” Persy said, soft with a touch of wonder in her tone.