I try to tug away, but Gabriel’s grip tightens.
Luc’s eyes widen as he stares at what the gods did to me. “Gabriel, she has the—”
“—no!” As quickly as Gabriel grabbed me, he lets go and folds his arms.
“You cannot ignore the Seer, Gabriel,” Kassandra says in a soft voice.
The Seer?
What Seer?
“Hades!” Anger and frustration collide across Gabriel’s brow as he lurches from his chair.
Luc stands and grabs Gabriel’s arm. “Don’t leave.”
“I don’t want anything to do with this,” Gabriel says through his teeth.
“You don’t have a choice.” Luc yanks Gabriel back to his seat.
“Are you willing to marry the man of my choosing?” Luc asks after a moment.
“I am.” There’s no better way to prove my commitment to them. They must allow me entrance into their world, their city, their trust. Then, I can walk among them and fulfill my destiny.
I will avenge you, Mother.
“Good.” A smile stretches across Luc’s mouth. “You will marry Gabriel.”
Gabriel? I would rather wed a scorpion.
Its bite would prove less deadly than the angry warrior.
Luc’s smile widens. “Gabriel is unwed, and he could use a wife. You will wed him.”
I wait for an objection or a scoff from Gabriel. Anything. He remains strangely quiet.
Maybe he thinks I will do enough objecting for both of us.
I will not.
“If it pleases you,” I begin, “then, I will marry him.”
Gabriel doesn’t react. He does nothing but stare. Outwardly, I remain a shell of humble placidness. Inwardly, I imagine running.
I’d run so fast, my hair would stream out behind me. My surcoat would lash my legs. I wouldn’t look back.
“When shall we marry?” I direct my question toward the solemn man, who probably thought I would object, so he could send me back to my people.
“Now,” Gabriel says, “if itpleasesyou.”
Challenge accepted, warrior.
“It pleases me.” The words turn to dust in my throat.
Gabriel slides his eyes over me, his assessment thorough as if we’re alone, and he imagines me naked. “The quicker, the better. I’m famished.”
“Then, I hope our union pleases you.”
A smirk tugs at the upper corner of Gabriel’s mouth. “I can think of a thousand ways you couldpleaseme.”
