Page 95 of Until the End of Ever
How could I share that I didn’t want Kleos bound to me out of necessity? Not when I wanted her to choose this, choose us.
He was right. I was wearing it because if the situation called for it, I wanted to be prepared to do what it took to keep her safe. So far, the runes I’d carved into her seemed to have worked. We had time.
But that was before knowing that Zeus wanted her either enslaved or dead.
“And say we bond. What’s to stop your brother from killing us both?”
The god leaned back on his seat, tilting his head. “What sort of creatures would you say you want to control or kill, hm?”
I killed those who were a danger to my community. I didn’t particularly want to control anyone.
“Never mind. I can see I’m asking the wrong person.” His eyes focused on Kleos next. “Any ideas, dear?”
“Something…something we’re afraid of.”
“Precisely. The one thing that can stop Zeus from killing Kleos is Kleos.”
We exchanged a glance.
I knew she was powerful to the extreme. Her energy practically had no limit. But Kleos was no warrior.
Except…she had been, against Python. She could be, when the situation called for it.
“Come on,” she drawled, with a pout and puppy dog eyes worthy of Phobos. “One little hint?”
The god tsked. “Now, that’s not fair. I’ve given you plenty. Begone, the pair of you. And Kleos? I will expect you to keep your end of the bargain.Every month.”
40
LUCIAN
Iopened my eyes and to my great shock, nothing had changed from when we left this place. Phobos was curled on my lap, his yellow eyes fixed on me.
“Meow?”
We weren’t wet. Ronan, Lucky, Gideon, and Silver were still seated in the circle, eyes closed.Zazel stretched upward, one paw on Kleos’s shoulder, the other tapping her face. I could feel the moment when she returned to her body, eyes blinking open, as confused and unfocused as mine.
“Meow!” Zazel’s tail lashed the air in excitement as Kleos’s arms wrapped around his body.
“I’m here, Zaz. I’m right here.”
I questioned everything I knew about the demon who’d tolerated my existence for five years. I considered him an annoying life-form that had somehow become my responsibility by default for bringing him with me to this world. Present, but incapable of feeling much affection or loyalty. Clearly, I was wrong. The cat just hated my guts.
I might have minded more if we didn’t agree that Kleos Valesco was worthy of all our love.
Until the end of ever, indeed.
My eyes remained on the beautiful creature who’d held on to me when she should have run—well, swam. I’d known she was mine since long before I cared to voice it. I never realized I was hers, too.
“Oh my gods,” Ronan grunted, interrupting the silent communication.
Gideon laughed. “That was a fucking ride, man!”
“You can say that again,” Lucky concurred. “I’ve never felt anything like it during one of the rituals.”
“What was it like for you?” Kleos asked, turning to her friends.
“Confusing?” Silver offered.
