Page 139 of For the Love of the Gods

Lukas turned his seafoam eyes towards me, a monsoon of emotion raging in them. “Any plans to use the rest of those favors?”

“Not at the moment, no.” I wanted to keep them in case people thought about getting testy again.

“Got a few to share?” Lukas asked.

“Why?” Dominic asked with the care used when handling a wild animal.

Lukas jaw hardened, his lips pulling tight. “Daphne.”

Oh.

“I’ll gladly share some of the wealth, especially if it's for Daphne, but why now?” I asked.

Lukas breathed in then ran his tongue over his teeth. Stalling. Then, he said, “Fish stocks just came in yesterday. Reduced by 30%.”

“Shit.” Dominic and I said at the same time. I had to restrain a grin at the appearance of that habit. It was a highly inappropriate time for smiling.

“The betrothal agreement bonded her to me in some way,” Lukas explained, running a hand through his recently-cut short hair. “Her being away for so long is starting to take a toll.”

“And..?” Dominic prompted.

“And she either holds up her end of the bargain or I find someone to take her place.” Lukas shrugged, like he wasn’t suggesting that he dissolve their engagement. Even if I wasn’t sure that was possible, it was still an insane claim.

“I don’t think she would back out, Lukas,” I said. Daphne knew the consequences. “There’s too much at stake.”

Lukas scoffed, crossing his thick arms over his chest. “Yeah, well, I didn’t think she’d run off without warning, but here we are.”

I ignored the tone. For now. “So you need the Fates to find her.”

“You and I both know she’s too smart to leave a trail if she doesn't want to be found.”

“That is true,” I said, somewhat reluctantly.

“So? Yes or no?” Lukas snapped.

Dominic must have shot him a look because he added, “Obviously, I’m very appreciative.”

“Yes, I will help you find her,” I said, then added, “But I want to be clear that I’m doing this because none of us can afford anymore unrest. Daphne is still my best friend.”

“Clearly, if you’re willing to defend her after this shit.”

Dominic’s voice rumbled in his throat, but I placed a hand on his leg. My raised eyebrow would do enough to tell Lukas to back the fuck off the tone. “Fine. Answer one question then. Is there anything going on between you two?”

Lukas looked stricken for a moment, his teal eyes flashing, then shook his head. “Not anymore.”

Dominic tensed under me. He always did when someone lied in his presence.

“Lukas…”

“Don’t,” he cut me off. “Just ask the Fates. Please.”

“I will,” I said, then spared a glance at Dominic, reminding me what had changed and where my priorities were now. Healing. Loving. “Tomorrow.”

“And keep it quiet, will you?” Lukas asked. “For all I know, she has a spy in your midst, just so she can say she knows everything.”

There was a touch of familiarity in that statement. A little window into how well Lukas knew Daphne. “That sounds like Daph.”

Lukas ran right through that statement. “Find her.”

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