Page 16 of Until the End of Ever
My family had a reputation, and she wanted to reassure any woman I might have designs on. I’d seen her do as much with Thea Briar when I finally caved and started to date her a few years ago.
No one in my family would have be this intrusive.
Taken as I was by the bewildering interaction, I almost missed it, but from the corner of my eyes, I caught Gideon holding Silver in his arms. I couldn’t tell if it was a hug, or whether he was physically restraining her. He was speaking to her so low I couldn’t catch a word.
“Fine,” Kleos replied, breaking the stunned silence at long last.
She’d been told to date some guy by her mother, and she’dagreed.
I couldn’t wrap my head around it.
“Good evening, Mother.”
Zenya graced her with the coldest, briefest of smiles, faker than her tits, before turning her attention to Iulia Hyperion.
“Let us move to your office.” She started to walk further into the darkness of the temple, uninvited, her voice carrying as she continued. “And you will remember to send a full list of people traveling through the portal for approval in the future, won’t you?”
Zenya Pendros was the head of Zeus’s temple, and as such, the white witch in charge of overseeing all prioresses in Highvale. Clearly, the title wasn’t only honorific: she took a hands-on approach.
The Hyperion woman wasn’t one to fold in the face of intimidation. “Well, Zenya, it’s my understanding that such matters remain at the discretion of the head of each individual temple. But if the council of elders demands clarification?—”
The words were lost as they reached a door, probably shielded with a privacy spell.
I noted I wasn’t the only one who’d paid attention: all eyes had followed them in silence.
Silver was the first to speak. “Ihatethat woman!”
Kleos snorted, making no comment.
“Yes, and the sky’s blue,” Gideon drawled lazily. “Everyonehates Zenya. She cultivates a highly hateable personality. Purposely, I think. Pretty sure Zenya hates Zenya.”
Kleos laughed, her hand flying to her hair. She absentmindedly fiddled with it, braiding it with speed and skill. “Let’s get going. I suppose I have a stupid date to get ready for.”
“You’re seriously going?” I demanded.
I couldn’t define the sudden wave of irritation rolling of me. The entire interaction rubbed me wrong. The fact she hadn’t argued or fought back pissed me off. Silver and Gideon’s reactions also made it clear that it wasn’t unusual.
Kleos exhaled deeply. “It’s not worth arguing with. I’ll have a drink and let him know I’m not interested. It’s no big deal.”
Except it was. It really, really was.
“Don’t you think we should prioritize research, after everything we’ve learned?” I asked, as we reached the steps leading out of the temple.
“Nothingis more important to me that getting to the bottom of who’s cursed me. But if I start rocking the boat with Zenya, she’ll start to shove her way into my life again, and I’ll havelessfree time.”
Again.
I had so many questions.
The sun was disappearing behind the west mountains in a colorful explosion of light that made my eyes burn. It was getting late. And Kleos and a fuckingdate.
Breathe, I told myself, willing my muscles to relax. They didn’t.
“I called us a ride,” Ronan drawled. “There should be room, if you’d like us to drop you off?”
“Sure,” Gideon said. “If I’m not too far off your way.”
Silver and Kleos exchanged one of those silent looks that could only transpire between old friends; they communicated without a word. “No need, for us. Silver lives nearby; I’ll just get ready at hers.”
