“I’m seriously not concerned about it. In the scheme of things…” He trails off without finishing that thought. “As horrible as it was, some things did go in our favor, believe it or not. Even if in all the wrong ways. The punishment for interfering with your life is loud and clear. Any events from here on out won’t be centered on us. Hopefully, you can just fade to the background now.”
He must recognize I’m not convinced because he lets out another slow exhale. “I wish this hadn’t happened to you, Pandora, and I wish I could make you better promises.”
“Your Gods took mortal wives?”
“Yeah, of course. And husbands, too.” He cocks his head. “Otherwise, we wouldn’t exist.” Sensing my confusion, he continues. “That’s what Magi are—the descendants of Gods and mortals. You really didn’t know that?”
I shake my head, brows crumpling as I recall something they’d said. “You’re a descendant of the Horned God.”
He nods. “Yes, that’s the God I most closely descend from. Where didyouthink we came from?”
I squirm with chagrin. “I was always taught that witches’ powers come from making a deal with the devil.”
He barks out a laugh. “No deals with devils, we’re born this way.”
“Damn.”
He quirks a brow. “Damn?”
“I was starting to think that deal might be worth it.”
Shock ripples across his face. Even I’m surprised to have admitted it. I’m not sure I’ve even admitted as much to myself. My face grows hot and my body tightens, knowing he’s going to torment me endlessly for this confession. He stares down at me, humor in his face fading into something that looks a lot like grim sympathy. Like, he knows it’s not really about the magic at all, it’s about being normal. Somehow this feels even worse.
His expression turns contemplative. “You know there did use to be a deal sort of like that between Gods and mortals.” He tucks a strand of my hair behind my ear. It’s such a tender motion my face flames mercilessly. He wrenches his hand back, closing it into a fist as if it had somehow escaped him.
“There was?” I ask, curiosity piquing.
“Yes, an exchange of powers, but no one’s been successful with it for a very long time.”
“You mean you could give me magic? Make it so I’m not a nought anymore?” Make it so I’m not hated any more…
“That’s what the Great Rite was but…no one’s been successful with it for a very long time. And many have tried.” The hope in my chest is vanquished like a flame snuffing out as he offers me a wry grin. “Besides, I don’t think you’d be interested in that deal.”
“Why not?” I ask, words muffled by my yawn.
“Maybe I’ll tell you about it someday. But I don’t think right now would be the appropriate time. We should sleep. Only warmth, okay,” he says, face laden with caution.
I turn back to my side, and he settles back down, nudging my head to shove his arm underneath it while the other wraps around me to drape against the ground. My heart picks up pace again. I’m never going to be able to sleep like this. I’m wound so tight when a twig snaps in the distance I flinch. His arm tightens around me. "Wards, pet, remember? Nothing can surpass the perimeter.”
“What was that?” I whisper.
“I don’t know. Probably a squirrel.”
“Don’t squirrels sleep at night?”
“Then it was some other nocturnal creature. Something that cannot surpass the wards, and I am totally unconcerned about.” My mind continues to churn. Another crunching sound emits from the woods, and I flinch. “Pet,” he sighs.
“I’ve never done this. I’ve never slept outside before,” I rebuke.
“You’re safe,” he promises, pulling me in more tightly. A few minutes pass in silence before I whisper, “Have you ever seen a God?”
“Pandora.”
The sound of him uttering my name again, especially in a forbidding tone ignites a sudden tension within me. There’s no chance he didn’t feel it. “Don’t say that,” I huff, gnashing my teeth together.
He lets out a hoarse laugh. “Don’t say your name?”
“Not like that.”
