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I folded my hands behind my head. “Please don’t toy with me.”

“I’m not, darling king. I want you to succeed.”

“Thank you. I’m a little deity-weary right now.”

“Understandable. There are many dark clouds around us.”

“Of course.”

She sighed. “They hide things, they worry me. Particularly when it comes to Caer.”

My eyes shot open. “Why would you say that?”

It took her several moments to answer. “I’m not sure why, but I feel like she is hiding something. Be careful.”

My forehead creased. “You don’t think she would hurt Paris, do you?” I sat up, wanting to go to him.

“No. She needs him. For now, anyway.”

The ‘for now’ part only made it worse. “Tell me why you think this.”

“There is something within the dark clouds I am missing. I sense it is being hidden from me. I could be completely wrong and paranoid. At the same time, my hunches are quite reliable.”

My desires were raging for me to be with the elf. “I have to go to him.”

“No. You have to rest. Allow me to untangle this.”

“What if you untangle it too late?”

“Do not be so pessimistic.”

Easier said than done. “You brought this up.”

“Because you need to know these things.” A hum of her comforting warmth coursed through my veins. “I am here to help you and to keep you safe.”

What if Selene was also hiding something?

“And please do not doubt me,” she countered.

“Please stop replying to my private thoughts.”

“Do you doubt me?”

“I’m tired,” I said.

“Not a desirable answer.”

“Forgive me. I’ve been made this way by the endless machinations of deities.”

“It is all a lot to bear. I do understand.”

“Thank you for your help.” I spoke out of politeness, holding on to a trace of suspicion.

“I am preparing another gift for you.”

“More power?”

A hesitant pause. “Yes. A safety net.”