Seduction (Curse of the Gods #3)(36)

Lucky I had my new friend.

“You already know why I helped Rau initially. I didn’t know you then. I cared nothing for the problems of a dweller, and Rau had something I needed.”

I nodded, telling him to continue. I definitely remembered all of that clearly.

“I called you doll because you were so weak, fragile … nothing of substance.”

My eyes were narrowing, fists clenching beneath my crossed arms. “You better be getting to the point where I don’t want to punch you again.”

A half-smirk. “Well, if you remember correctly, you didn’t punch me, you dropped your face into my di—”

“Not the point!” I interrupted quickly, feeling the heat climbing into my cheeks again.

He gave me a break then, continuing with his story. “I was wrong. You’re not exactly the doll I expected,” he finally admitted. “You have substance, Willa Knight. I see now why the Abcurses have threatened more gods in the past few moon-cycles, than they have in their many life-cycles before that.”

Oh, was I actually going to find out how old they were?

Before I could push, he changed direction. “They are feared by many. Loved by very few,” he added, probably noticing the interest in my gaze. “The fact that you made it to their inner circle. You’re no ordinary being.”

Leden nudged against me, as if to say I told you so.

“But you do need a lot of looking after.” Cyrus was back to being an asshole, though for some reason it didn’t seem as mean as usual. “Which is why I have been trying to help you through the soul-link.”

It’s true, Leden said. When we gave him the stone, we made him promise that you were the only being to have it, and that he would protect you.

Cyrus nodded, which told me he had heard her words also. “I’m not great at Chaos either.” I could tell that not being good at something was unusual, and he looked mighty pissed about it, his ethereally beautiful face going hard. “But you were alive, so I didn’t complain too much.”

I shook my head, much of my fury at him fading away. “You just used a little too much anger and oomph, I think.”

He was very close to me now, and despite the lighting being only provided from the tiny bugs, I could still see every facet of blue in his very pale eyes. “That sol, Dru … he needed to die. I tried to ensure that he would not have a chance to follow up on whatever he was planning.”

I gasped, having forgotten about Dru and his side-bitch. “You knew? How did you know? I mean it was weird how he was always around, always showing up, flirting. Never even caring that the Abcurses could break him like a twig. Despite his mountainous size.” My words tumbled over each other, punctuated by the rage I was still holding onto.

Cyrus just shook his head. “You’re trying to tell me something, I just know it.”

I smacked him in the shoulder, before shaking my head. “You understood me.”

His expression turned lethal, iciness pouring from him as he looked at his shoulder. I quickly withdrew my hand. Scary Cyrus was back.

His next words were clipped. “Whoever you’ve been soul-linked to will always have a connection with you. An eternal bond.”

I wasn’t sure exactly what he was saying, but his closeness was confusing me. Along with his hot and cold behaviour. When I just continued staring unblinkingly at him, he shook his head and took a step back. I finally felt like I could breathe again.

It’s time for you to return to your gods. Leden’s distraction was a welcome relief. As her words registered, I couldn’t stop from throwing my arms around her.

“Will I see you again?” I felt a little bereft at leaving.

She nodded, large dark eyes blinking a few times. We will meet again very soon. When the water calls, you listen.

Then with that, she turned and walked out of the cave. The lights were fading around us now, so with a ragged breath I turned to Cyrus. “I believe you weren’t trying to use me to cause Chaos.” Another deep breath as I struggled with the next words. “Thank you.” It sounded a little grudging, but I got there in the end.

He just shook his head before reaching out to me, he paused before touching me, his gaze seemed to be asking for permission. I waited a few beats, before finally nodding.

I was scooped up against his chest, my legs dangling from the ground as though I was a child. “Do you ever wear clothes, doll?”

I shrugged. “Siret always makes them so tight that it’s much more comfortable this way.”

“Clever Siret.” I heard him murmur, but before I could say anything else, he did his flashing thing and everything went dark.





Ten





I knew where I was the moment my bare feet hit the cold marble, because the arm around my back slipped away and the god who had been holding me lurched back with a thud and a grunt that hinted at possible injury. I opened my eyes to find myself surrounded by Siret, Yael, Aros, and Coen. Rome must have been behind me, because I could hear the sound of him trying not to use his crusher ability on Cyrus. It sounded like an excessive amount of heavy breathing.

“Give. Me. One. Good. Reason.” He seemed to be forcing the angry words out through clenched teeth.

“I could give you one good reason.” Cyrus spoke normally, apparently unfazed. “Or Willa could give you several. If you attack me, I might have to tell Staviti about all the other rules you and your brothers have broken, and then you’ll definitely have your powers stripped away.”