Her brows dip, and by the way she shifts in her seat, she’s feeling defensive. Her lip lifts in something close to a smile, but it never reaches her green eyes.
“Self-righteousness doesn’t suit you, darling,” she snaps, but when she speaks again, her tone evens out. “Were you aware that there was a divine law, one which was only recently dissolved, preventing the servants from fornicating with one another?”
I narrow my eyes. “Vaguely, yes.”
“Then why onearthwould there be a law about having two servants consenting to the barrier being lifted?”
I fall silent, feeling slightly foolish, but her answer doesn’t manage to quell my indignation.
She huffs out a sigh, gazing out of the window. “But,” she says, still looking away, “you are right.”
Butterflies flutter in my stomach at her admission, and I suppress my surprised reaction, waiting for her to continue.
“You had just as much right as Gemini. He used my unfamiliarity toward you to his advantage. I should have never agreed, and for that, I apologize.”
Tears spring to my eyes, and I fight the tremble in my lips. I didn’t realize how much I needed an apology—fromanyone.
“Thank you,” I croak.
She flashes me a weak smile, then quickly breaks eye contact. “It’s getting late,” she says before standing up. “I’ll show you to the guest room.”
Ignoring her attempt to end the conversation, I ask, “What if I choose not to keep it?”
Belladonna’s brows lift in surprise, and she takes a few seconds to study me before answering, “You can if that is what you desire.”
She cocks her head to the side, as if deliberating on her next choice of words. And suddenly, I know I’ll hate whatever comes out of her mouth.
“But sooner or later, the gods’ will demand an heir from you, Veil … so why delay fate?”
42
GEMINI
“Where is she?” I growl as soon as I open my front door, Mercy and Belladonna standing on the other side.
It’s been three long days since I learned that Veil is with child—mychild—and I’m about ready to raze the entire city just to find her.
“Lovely to see you too,” Mercy says, clipping my shoulder as she walks in.
Belladonna glares at me, still standing outside the door, until she relents and says, “She’s been staying with me.” Pushing her way through the threshold, she adds over her shoulder, “And, no, she doesn’t want to see you.”
Indignation flares inside my chest.
She doesn’t want toseeme?
Impossible.
Both Belladonna and Mercy stand in the middle of the living room, arms crossed. They are visual opposites—one dressed in all black, the other in all white.
“This is ridiculous,” I mutter under my breath but loud enough for them to hear.
Walking to the wet bar, I pour myself a scotch, neat. Champagne feels too festive for the occasion. I don’t bother offering a drink to the others.
“What’sridiculous, Gemini, is how you thought you’d walk away from this unscathed,” Mercy says, finally settling on the couch, Belladonna following suit.
I swallow down the scotch in one large gulp and pour myself another glass before turning to face my jury of two.
“Since when do we care about the consequences of our actions?” I ask dryly as I sit down, forcing a bored lilt to my tone.
