Page 309 of Fated to be Enemies

I kicked a small stone lying at my feet. The damn things had dissolved once they’d been used. Stupid spelled keys. “I have to do something.”

“You can wait. She won’t kill them. They’re her bargaining chips.”

“They’re my family.” I swallowed thickly.

“I know.” He leaned down, touching my cheek. “You’re still cold.”

“Being whisked through the night at god speed didn’t help.” I tried to smile, but the fear for my family wouldn’t let me.

“While Thalia does what she does, I’ll get us inside somewhere.” He looked down at the town. “A hotel? Maybe you can get some sleep until we can go.”

I crossed my arms over my chest. “I’m going back. I have to do something.”

“We both know all you’ll do is put them in more danger by showing up empty-handed.”

I hated when he was right. “I-I don’t know.”

“You can send a magic quill. Maybe they can tell Freya you’re on your way. An excuse… maybe that you were looking for me but couldn’t find me.”

I relented. “Fine. Let’s go then. I want a coffee first. I know the shop is open really early.”

“We’ll get one first.”

As we walked away, I heard Aziel talking to Thalia. As soon as the cloaking spell on Freya was broken, he planned on running straight in there. He ignored the fact she would kill them if he did, because he didn’t care. If I waited for them, then the only family I had would be dead. I couldn’t let that happen. I couldn’t sit around and do nothing. As soon as Raiden was out of my sight, I would run back.

Nestled on the four-post bed in the hotel room, Raiden lay back against two pillows, closing his eyes. “I’m surprised you were so amenable,” he admitted.

I rocked on the rocking chair next to the large, lead-crossed window, drinking my coffee. The sun was beginning to come up, burning my eyes with it. “Stranger things have happened.”

He chuckled. “I guess.”

While we were passing time, what had happened earlier that night floated into my mind. I needed something to distract myself. I’d sent a magic quill to Naomi, telling her I would be coming. Then I sent one to Maddox, telling him to stay hidden and that I was on my way. Until Raiden fell asleep or left the room, there wasn’t much more I could do.

“How did you get out of your prison realm? You said it was a story for later, and there’s no better time than now.”

The muscle in his finger twitched. “Perhaps not now.”

“Why? Was it so bad?”

He sat up, his dark eyes focusing on me. “It’s not something I want to talk about.”

“Why not? Just tell me.”

“No.”

“Just tell me!”

“I can’t,” he snapped, the dark undertone to his voice shuddering through me.

“Why not?”

“Because I don’t want you to think less of me.”

My stomach swirled. I thought he didn’t care what I thought of him. “I’m not going to judge you. I didn’t when Freya told me everything. Not even for a second. She said you didn’t always care about not killing innocents. I know it’s different for you. You’re immortal. You’re a god.”

He sighed. “Please, Elle. I don’t want you to see me as a monster.”

I looked over at the red bedspread and bit my bottom lip. I wished he wouldn’t look at me like that, with those bedroom eyes. “I won’t. Raiden. I don’t. You’re not a monster.” I fumbled with my necklace. “Even if you once were, you’re not now. Help me understand what happened.”

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