Total pages in book: 27
Estimated words: 25521 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 128(@200wpm)___ 102(@250wpm)___ 85(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 25521 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 128(@200wpm)___ 102(@250wpm)___ 85(@300wpm)
We pleasure each other mindlessly and selflessly. We try our best to make it last, but it's just too, too good for both of us—-
(Eros!)
We cum at the same time, with my god hungrily lapping up every drop while his cum shoots down my throat. Both of us are still panting as we pull away, and I suddenly feel self-conscious as I lick a stray drop of cum from the corner of my mouth.
My gaze lifts hesitantly to his—-
(oh Eros)
And it's only then that I belatedly notice the pain haunting his gaze.
(no, kyrios, no)
"Austin—-"
He stiffens.
And I realize too late that he thinks I've mistaken him for someone else, when I only mean to tell him that the other boy means nothing to me, and my god is the only one I can love.
No!
He disappears before I can say another word, and the Order's mark on my neck suddenly starts burning.
URGENT MEETING!
ALL MEMBERS OF THE ANCIENT ORDER OF SUB ROSA ARE REQUIRED TO ATTEND
Chapter Fourteen
Hundreds of Sub Rosa members have already gathered inside the underground shrine by the time I arrive, and I feel secretly relieved that meetings like this require us to cover our faces with masks and put on robes bearing the colors of our order.
I strain my ears to hear what the others have to say, but everyone else seems just as clueless as I am about the purpose behind this meeting. I hear someone whisper the professor's name, and pain squeezes my heart.
The group of girls talking about him are in one corner, and that's when I realize there are floating balconies in every corner of the shrine. Each one represents the order's four Heads of State: there's Plutarch in the northeast, and across him is a woman whom I can only assume is the widow Ayesha.
The southwest balcony is empty, but I don't really care where Isabella or her parents are, now that my eyes have found my god.
Eros.
He's back in his human guise, and tears prick my eyes when I remember the way my god had looked at me with so much pain.
Eros.
I know he can hear me now, but he refuses to look my way.
It's not what you—-
There's an audible snap in my mind, and I realize in shock that he's letting me know he's severed the mental connection between us.
Oh, kyrios.
I know how love can make fools out of mortals, but the divine is apparently as susceptible, and the realization makes me want to laugh and cry.
Erma? Anteros? Himeros?
I'm certain that at least one of Eros' brothers has to be here, and there wouldn't be any need for me to offer blood when they're this close by.
We are here, little sister.
Himeros' voice is soothing like always.
Is there a way for me to get to Eros' balcony?
Close your eyes, Erma orders, and count to three.
I do as asked, and when I open my eyes, it's to see the "professor" cursing as he bursts into his feet upon finding me standing behind him.
"I've let you had your say when I found out that you lied to me," I remind him in a rush, "so don't you think you owe me the same?"
"Fine." His tone is clipped, his body rigid. "Speak then."
I knew it was you in the festival, Eros. I knew from the very start. But when I looked into your eyes, that was also the only time I realized how much I was hurting you. I never thought you would truly suspect me of having feelings for another man. And that's why I said his name. I only meant to explain, and I swear by the River S—-
"Don't."
But I'm not lying, and I want to prove—-
I believe you.
My god cups my face, and I'm so badly tempted to throw my mask away so I can reach up to kiss him.
"Swearing by the River Styx is no simple matter," Eros says quietly.
"You did it before."
"I'm a god. The toll it takes on my soul will not kill me."
I've never heard of such consequences, and I wonder absently if there's a reason that no Pre-3rd or Post-3rd book warns us of this.
I'm sorry I doubted you, my god whispers.
I'm sorry, too, I whisper back, since I'm guilty of the same thing.
My gaze lifts to his. Can you tell me something?
Anything.
Why is Isabella so special to you?
Because of her father. I have known Gelar since he was a boy. And later, I watched Isabella grow up. So if you must hear me say it—-
A grimace colors his voice at the words.
Isabella is not even like a daughter to me. She is more like my granddaughter—-
I choke back a laugh.
That is why you have nothing to fear when it comes to her, and that is also why I know, for all of her flaws, Isabella is not the type to do nothing if she sees someone in grave danger.