Page 141 of For the Love of the Gods

I expected the ring, I’d seen the press release about her marriage. And the one about the attack on her.

Which made me feel a little sick if I thought about it too long.

But the ring was expected. Not the change in her expression.Thatwas concerning. But I didn’t want, or really even have the right, to ask.

“You missed a lot.” Rose’s claim hit low in my chest. Of course she had noticed me looking. I’d been away from her trained eyes for too long it seemed, too used to being able to hide my own watchful gaze.

“I know,” I responded, turning back towards the sculpture. “Why are you here?”

Rose laughed with what sounded like disbelief. “Right to the point, then.”

“Please.” My voice sounded hollow in my own ears. I was speaking to her like a stranger, not my best friend.

“You need to come home.”

I knew it was coming, and yet the words hit me so strongly I took a step backwards. “And where would that be?”

“Daph,” Rose warned in a tone I had never heard used towards me. It was her goddess voice. And it pissed me off.

The skies, seas, and the dead always acted like they were more important. And the dead, with Rose at the helm, were sheltered. She made it above ground at times, that was for sure, but it was different than dealing with humans every day. Dealing with their ego and their money and their grudges.

I wasn’t sure whether I still belonged in a category with those three Houses. Maybe her using that tone with me made it clear that I wasn’t.

“Give it up, Rose,” I snapped, turning back towards her for this argument. “Just tell me what you want.”

“Lukas wants you home,” she said, her eyes looking for a moment like they used to.

The mention of his name made my temper skyrocket. “Oh, so you’re running errands for Lukas now? Guess a lothaschanged.”

“No, I’m making sure the world doesn't fall apart.”

I didn’t even try to fight my scoff. “Don’t be dramatic. I can promise you I’m not missed in that palace.”

“You are.”Lie.“But that isn’t the point. You are engaged, in case you forgot.”

“I have been for seventeen years. If I was going to forget, I would have by now, don’t you think?” I quipped, sending another flash of hurt to Rose’s eyes. But the hole I was digging for myself just looked all too comfortable to stop.

“So you know, then, that the reason why there has been two storms in the past month and the catches have been reduced by overthirty percentis your doing?”

And there was the Rose I was friends with, the one who didn’t take shit from anyone, least of all me. She had pulled the one card I couldn’t argue with. Logic.

I knew this day would come eventually, where my lack of presence in Lukas’s realm caused problems. I had just been blissfully ignoring that inevitability.

My fiancé's power was now tied to my own, and as much as I didn’t want to step foot back in that water-logged palace ever again, I couldn’t watch our people suffer.

“How long?” I asked, letting the concession in my tone peak through.

“Two days. I’m meant to hand deliver you.” We both released a laugh at that image. “But I think we both know that won’t happen. So, we’ve settled on a dinner.”

I’m positive my expression showcased how excited I was for that little adventure.

“Dominic and I will be there,” Rose continued, mentioning her husband for the first time. I knew their marriage was likely a hostile battle ground. It was obviously forced, but for what reason I didn’t know. Yet.

“Ah, yes, Dominic. Has he tried to kill you yet?”

“Only once.”

My burgeoning response skidded to a halt in my throat. Somehow, with those two words, I knew that Rose fancied herself in love, knew why her eyes no longer looked as sad.

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