Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 101264 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 506(@200wpm)___ 405(@250wpm)___ 338(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 101264 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 506(@200wpm)___ 405(@250wpm)___ 338(@300wpm)
Bold of him to come right out and say it. “If you really want that, then I don’t see why you’re holding back information that might keep you and yours safe.” I set my drink aside. “Don’t bother to lie. We both know you didn’t tell Zeus everything. You’re too smart to put in so much work without knowing what the endgame is.”
Minos smiles slowly. “I like you. You’re not the same as the rest of them. You actually care.”
The pivot has my mind whirling. We’re being remarkably frank with each other, so I risk a blunt question. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“I took the liberty of looking into Cassandra. She’s lovely, but you must know your parents will never welcome her. Not after her parents brought so much shame on the family. Olympus doesn’t like to forgive and forget. I’ve been here a short time, and even I know that.”
“Do you have a point?”
“By all accounts, her parents reached beyond their means, and look what happened to them. It’d be a shame if something similar happened to her for the very same reasons.”
The small hairs on the back of my neck raise. Is he threatening Cassandra? I can’t tell. He’s got his genial mask in place, all concerned kindness. The desire to shove to my feet and rush out of the room to ensure she’s safe is nearly overwhelming. “I’m Apollo. No matter what my parents think of my partners, they won’t risk alienating me.” I don’t like that he looked into her. I don’t like it at all.
“Perhaps.” Minos nods easily. “But what about Zeus and the rest of the Thirteen? They aren’t bound the same way the rest of us are.”
Zeus knows what this really is, but if one of the others thought Cassandra was trying to follow in her parents’ footprints? “That won’t happen.”
“So you say. That girl has worked hard to avoid the limelight, and there have been more articles written about her since your date a few days ago than in the last five years combined. People are talking, Apollo. If you care so much about her, you never should have brought her here.”
No reason for guilt to prick me. We knew what going public would do. Cassandra is getting paid well and she has no plans to stick around after this task is finished. I can’t quite unclench my jaw. “I’m honored, Minos. I had no idea you were so interested in my love life and the welfare of my girlfriend.” I honestly can’t tell if he’s threatening her or not. It feels like he is, but he hasn’t said anything overt that I can call him on.
“As I said, I like you.” He swirls the whiskey in his glass, expression contemplative. “You’re an asset and you’re wasted on this place. I’d like to have you in the family.”
I blink. “Excuse me?”
“Take your pick of my children.” He waves a casual hand toward the door. “Icarus might be a bit flighty for your tastes, but Ariadne is a good girl. She’d make a lovely wife to you.”
His boldness leaves me at a loss for words. Arranged marriages are hardly uncommon in Olympus, but people tend to go about it in a subtler way. I look away. “I’m not in the market for a marriage at this point.” Under no circumstances will I allow myself to think of Cassandra, dressed in white and walking down the aisle to me.
“Pity.” He shrugs easily. “I had thought you too smart to be swayed by your emotions, but it’s clear that as long as Cassandra is by your side, you won’t see things my way.”
I send him a sharp look. “If something happens to her, I won’t see things your way, either.”
He holds up his hands. “Whoa, whoa, no one is making threats, Apollo. You wanted me to speak plainly, so I’m just doing what you requested.”
For him to speak plainly about his motivations. Surely there’s more to this party than a marriage mart? I barely resist the urge to look at my watch. How long has it been? How much longer do I need to keep him talking? Maybe someone else could sit here while he threatened someone they cared about, but that’s not me. It never has been. “Why are you here, Minos?”
“I already told you.” He laughs. “Do you think asking a few dozen more times will result in a different answer?”
This whole thing feels like he just threw a handful of sand into an already murky pool. I can’t tell if he’s being honest about wanting to match me with one of his children, but surely it’s not that simple. He must be holding something back. “If you’d be transparent, we wouldn’t have to do this song and dance.”
“There you go, talking frankly again.” He hefts himself to his feet. It’s rather dramatic, considering I watched him bound down the steps at the Dryad less than a week ago. Minos obviously wants to be underestimated. It’s a familiar ploy—a lot of people in Olympus use it, including myself—but it irks me all the same. “Truly, you stand out among the others. It’s a wonder someone hasn’t taken issue with your honesty.”