“It’s alright, Your Majesty. That’s warranted, given the situation. Name your price and you shall have it. We have been given permission to grant you your sunstar, Treyu. The rest was denied, unfortunately.”
“That’s okay,” I say. “I’m not parting from this guy anyway. I figure annoying him for the rest of his life is far better revenge anyway.”
Zhang smiles, and I take his hand.
“You’re not a manufactured angel, you’re a demigod. That can never be taken from you, child, or undone.”
Sure feels that way, with this damn bracelet muting all my power.
“We must keep our price. Fifty years of service to us and the sunstar is yours.”
“And the Guild?” I say.
“Has to obey the Goddesses.” Is she smirking? Pretty fucking sure she’s smirking.
Atlanta’s voice rings in my head. “Why would you do this for me?” Yeah, it’s a trade, but they don’t have to offer it.
“Because we trust you’re going to do great things for our galaxy, Treyu,” Nulaxy says, and there’s something else there.
“Do I get to know what those things are before I agree to your service?”
She shakes her head. “’Fraid not. The bargain requires faith.”
Yeah, I don’t have a lot of that going around these days. “What about Atlantis?” I ask. “Demigods get sanctuary there.”
That idea has been rolling around since yesterday. It’s not optimal.
“It’s an option for you, but your husband doesn’t have what’s required to stay there.”
Only Merrick does.
“You can’t give him the angel runes?”
“You can’t ask for something without payment. Accept our first bargain, and we can discuss a new one.”
If Zhang could have angel runes and live in Atlantis with us, we wouldn’t need their bargain.
“I need to speak with my men, we’ll get back to you.”
“You’d be wise to decide sooner rather than later,” she warns. “You’re running out of time.”
“Because your offer expires?”
“No. Because he’s coming for you, Treyu. Your time is almost up.”
CHAPTERTHIRTY-ONE
Atlanta
My hips press back to half-sit on the shelf of a chunky boulder, and my booted foot rests against the bottom of the rock. It’s warm, so I’ve got my jacket slung over a branch, and my T-shirt’s off, tucked into the back of my pants. I figured Gem would appreciate the view. Sweetheart’s butt sits against the ground with the barrel hugging my thigh.
The forest sways with life, and the vibrant colors lift my mood. Lustrous pinks, deep purples, glowing blues. The woods of our Nebula are always a twinkling wonderland and a dancing kaleidoscope of enchantment. Thank fuck the Nebuli nymphs seem to be in hiding today. If I have to choke on their glitter shit one more time, I’m going to make nymph stew.
I recognize the happy footsteps approaching. I let him come to me, so that I get the full view of him. He’s finally wearing his black armored jacket like I asked him to. Pretty blue robes are underneath, but at least he’s wearing the boots of a soldier. We need to be prepared in case we have to leave in a hurry. His heeled boots are gorgeous on him, but they’re not functional.
A smile cracks my stone face, and my insides melt. He’s so damn beautiful. Shifting my rifle aside, I take his perfect hand in my rough one, stained from doing a few home repairs. Couldn’t help myself. I couldn’t settle and my mind needed to turn off. I was missing Gem like an arm. That mixed with the ever-growing sense that I’ve overstayed my non-welcome, stirs the pit of anxiety in my stomach. I worked on the house until I had to meet up with Gem. I never shook the feeling.
Giving him a twirl, watching the ground for him so he doesn’t have to, I give Gem the freedom he loves within the boundaries he craves. Then I meld him to me, devouring lips, and nibbling down his neck until he whimpers.
