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)
"Is your hair really gray?"
Austin laughs. "Yes."
And now, I realize that his eyes are also the same.
"Cool."
"Do you really think so?"
"No."
He grins, not at all offended, and...I think I like that, and so I actually find myself grinning back.
A few more minutes pass before the Art Gallery of the Roses of Erotes looms into view. While all the other buildings in Rosethorne resemble castles of old with their stone buildings, gargoyles, and stained windows, the Nkalerí is the only one that's unapologetically modern with its mix of panoramic windows and matte black walls.
Can I really do this?
I gnaw on my lip uncertainly even as my feet continue to move.
Only one way to find out.
And just like that, Austin and I are past the glass doors, and the first thing I see?
No Professor Lucious.
The second thing I see?
Shit.
A dark-haired half-nymph with fiery green eyes comes forward to meet us. She's beautiful and glamorous, but I also know from experience she's as catty and malicious as one can be.
Like I said: shit.
"Welcome to the Nkalerí."
Her voice is sweet and lush, but the sound still grates on my nerves.
She smiles at Austin and me like she owns the place...or is dating the one who does, and the thought makes me sick.
While Isabella is officially employed as Rosethorne's guidance counselor, everyone in school also knows that the position she's really after is that of being Professor Lucious' wife. That did make me jealous at the start, but now that I also know the professor is my god?
Isabella suddenly gives me a stiff smile. "I hope you and Austin here have a lovely time touring the Nkalerí." She gives us a regal little nod before moving on to welcome the other students like some lady of the manor, but I can't seem to make myself stop staring at her.
Imagining her with the professor was already bad enough, and I still remember how equally awful it felt when I found out that Isabella was also a member of the Ancient Order of Sub Rosa. But now that I know what I know—-
My stupid eyes start stinging again, and I have to blink rapidly to keep any tears from escaping.
What if Isabella also knows the truth about my god?
That will make me twice the fool...won't it?
"Halyna?"
I can feel Austin looking at me with a frown, and I think he's noticed my eyes are glistening with stupid tears.
"Are you alright?"
Chapter Four
The god had been watching her for a while now.
Or perhaps it would've been more accurate to say that he was stalking her, even though he hadn't meant to do so at first.
When she had asked for space, he had fully intended to keep his word. Halyna's distrust and dislike towards the divine was no secret, and the god wanted to prove to her that he would always respect her wishes.
So if space was what she wanted, then she would have it...but when Euterpe asked his permission to have her class visit the Nkalerí, the temptation proved impossible to resist.
The god granted the Muse's request and promised himself at the same time that all he would take was one ever-so-brief look.
Just one quick look, and he would do so unseen, so that he could come and go without his beloved knowing.
But then he saw her with a boy, and all such promises were forgotten as the god had his first taste of jealousy.
The boy was too fucking pretty for his own good, but what bothered him more was how Halyna was allowing the mortal to hang around. His beloved usually wasted no time in getting rid of unwanted company, so why had she yet to do the same with this boy?
And now...this.
Something about Isabella appeared to upset his beloved, and the god tersely asked one of his brothers to send a message to the half-nymph.
Say whatever's needed, just get her out of here.
As you will, brother, Erma replied. But you know this will keep happening, don't you?
I am not in the mood for lectures, Erma.
Tough, big brother. Since you'll be getting it anyway, and it starts with one of your most disliked phrases. Did we not warn you this will happen?
It was never pleasant for anyone to have their younger brother berate them, and this was true even for the divine.
You should have put her in her place a long time ago. But because you did not, you are now paying the price for it. Make time to speak to the half-nymph, big brother. Do so before you end up giving your woman a real reason to leave you.
The words chafed, but the god forced himself to see the truth in them. Duly noted.
His youngest brother also kept his word, with Isabella abruptly ending her conversation with the mortals. It was the best the god could do under the circumstances, since he had foolishly lost the right to pull Halyna into his arms.