Page 56 of The Duplicity of Thieves

“I suppose that is at least one bit of good news. You’re dismissed. Except for you, Aedonaeus.”

Minos and Hermes give me looks like I’m in trouble. Fucking children. I’m not in the mood. Since Josie left the other night, it’s been difficult to watch my temper. When the door closes behind them, he sits back behind his desk and eyes me with concern.

“What?”

He places his chin into his hand. “Nothing to say about the symbols on the box?”

“No,” I say evenly. I know what he’s asking, and I’m not giving in.

“Alright. What else is new?”

“What is it you’re really asking?”

“I just wondered about the girl.”

I pretend I don’t know what he’s talking about. “What girl?”

I don’t want to talk about Josie. It’s like she is this beautiful secret, and I’m coveting it. I did go to Hades in the middle of the night asking for advice, and this is the price I’ll pay for getting it.

“Oh, please, Aedonaeus. Don’t be coy.”

I sigh. “I saw her again.”

“Did you?” He seems displeased, which wasn’t what I expected. I don’t tell him that I ran into her at the museum. It might anger him since I was there on official business and promptly abandoned it. “What’s her name?”

“Josephine.”

“Josephine,” he tests. “You seem frustrated.”

“She’s hard to read.”

“Have you given more thought to what I’ve said?”

“About what?”

“About partnering yourself with someone who can support your status in the future, Aedonaeus.”

“What do you mean?”

“A queen.”

I give what he says a little bit of thought. What does that even mean? Partnering with a queen. I don’t want to be with anyone at all. Except for Josie. But Josie demands respect. She isn’t a dutiful brat, but a force to be reckoned with. She is exactly what I imagine a queen would be.

“I know what drove you to kidnap her,” I admit.

Hades’ face falls with understanding. “It’s not something I recommend.”

We stare at each other in somber silence. As much as I want to kidnap Josie and never let her leave, that is the exact opposite of what I must do if there is any chance of her coming back to me. I don’t know what I really want from her. Maybe her presence? That’s something that’s hard to get. When I see the strange girl there is something inside of me that feels…okay. Like everything is right. I despise it and cherish it all in one.

“What are you going to do about her?” he asks.

“Nothing.”

“Impossible.” He chuckles like some old wise man. “Are you going to ask her to the engagement party?”

“It’s not…like that.” Even if it was, I don't think I could take her. I don’t want anyone approaching her and ruining what I’m working on. It’s the thought of a crazed man.

He asks the inevitable question. “Where is she from?”

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