Page 88 of The Gods Only Know

“Anything you’ve been working on?” Sabina asked. She was cheeky, so I had half the mind to ask if she knew what I’d been researching. But this was also an opening to try to get her help without going back on my promise not to say anything.

“Yes, actually,” I said, throwing together an explanation on the spot. “I’ve been trying to organize some histories of allegiance groups. Trying to identify some imagery we saw on my last dig. I got stuck on one recently.”

Sabina perked up with curiosity. “Which one?”

“There’s this group with loads of circular imagery. I can’t figure out which god to attribute them to. Or if it’s just a human organization.”

Sabina thought for a second then started peppering me with questions. “Any other hints? Is it a circle or sphere? Where does the imagery appear?”

“Imagery appears to me more physical, like embroidery on shirts or tattoos,” I answered, covering the truth with a bit of embellishment. “It’s circles, not spheres. And I’ve seen the word maiden tossed around.”

“Hmm,” Sabina hummed. “Sounds like Hera or Juno to me.”

Shit. That was exactly what I was afraid of.

“Actually, there was a sect of midwives close to Juno that used to stitch circles on their uniforms. It might be that,” Sabina offered.

“That sounds right,” I said noncommittally, my mind running off. This was too close to be a coincidence, but Juno didn’t really have a reason to hate the gods. Sure, her line wasn’t the biggest fan of Jupiter, harkening back to a centuries old feud involving the original Jupiter and one of Juno’s handmaidens.

The story had been spun into countless variations, even claiming that Juno and Jupiter were romantically involved, but the hatred was all the same. It wouldn’t be—

“Speaking of!” Sabina said, jolting me out of my train of thought.

I followed her gaze to find Claudia Juno walking toward us with Lorenzo Romulus by her side.

I kept a passive smile glued to my face but snaked my hand behind my back to motion for Lukas to come stand next to me.

“Claudia, Lorenzo,” I greeted as they approached. “How good to see you both.”

“You as well,” Lorenzo responded smoothly. He was fairly casual in a charcoal gray jacket that complimented his salt and pepper hair. “It’s nice to see you and Lukas back together.”

Lukas’s hand touched my back the moment Lorenzo finished speaking. His voice rumbled out of his throat. “I think back in public would be the better assessment. It was easier to keep our visits private with Daphne’s schedule this past year.”

Lorenzo nodded and smiled. “Yes, of course. I just love seeing couples happy together.”

“Speaking of happy couples,” I said. “Please give Riccardo my congratulations on his wedding. I heard it was spectacular.”

“It was,” Claudia said, placing her hand on Lorenzo’s covered arm. My stomach sank a bit at the touch. Claudia was younger than me. ThanReyna. “Lorenzo was gracious enough to allow me to preside.”

“Allow?” Sabina asked, her straightforward honesty emerging at the perfect time.

Claudia blinked once at Sabina. “Meaning that while it’s standard practice for Lord Hera or I to preside over weddings of influential families,” she said, and I fought a groan at the emphasis she placed at the word influential, “It was kind of Lorenzo to keep with that tradition.”

“And Claudia was the perfect woman for the job,” Lorenzo said, with a smile that could either be attraction or loyalty. I wasn’t sure which one I hoped for.

Claudia matched it. “Marriage is such an important part of the circle of life. And to be included, well, it was an honor. Especially since I missed out on such an important ceremony with Dominic and Rose.”

Lukas’s hand flexed on my lower back, and I leaned into his touch to silently signal that I caught her use ofcircle of lifetoo.

“From what I remember, their marriage was quite rushed,” Eleni said, folding her hands neatly in front of her. “That doesn’t sound like a slight.”

Claudia’s smile faltered a little at the corners, and I changed the subject quickly.

“What brings you here today?” I asked. “You’re welcome to join the transition ceremony.”

“Ah, right. Another change,” Lorenzo said, smiling. Even though it looked more like he was baring his teeth.

“I’m quite excited,” I said, barreling right through his insinuation. That was how you dealt with digs like that, acting like it didn’t affect you. “It gives me much more time to dedicate to the Poseidon house.”

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