"Must I ask twice?" I let my cold power seep from me and over her. Her nipples stiffen in the cold, and I bite the inside of my cheek.
Wordlessly, Briar ducks away from me and scurries past Aiden. He watches her with open curiosity, and she dips her head as mortals do towards Gods. “Who does she worship?” Aiden asks as Briar slips into her room. I let the shadows slip away, rolling my neck irritably. “Tell me it isn’t mother – that would be awkward.”
“Briar has never disclosed that,” I snap. “Though Desona was also curious.”
“Of course she was,” Aiden snorts.
I wave a hand, my magic throwing open a window nearby. “You should go, I don’t have time for a visit.”
“Where are your duties taking you today?” Aiden lounges against the wall, ignoring me.
“I have business in the mortal realm,” I sigh. “Not that you would understand.”
“How could I?” He cocks a brow. “I have no responsibilities, as you so keenly like to point out.”
I rub my temples, grinding my teeth together. I was forced from home at a young age, tasked with the duties of Death, while Aiden never left my mother’s wings and always had her to fall back on. I had no such luxuries. “I’m sorry,” I finally say, meeting his gaze. “But if I don’t go soon, my relations with the mortals are at risk. I don’t want a war.”
“That serious?” Aiden’s brows shoot up in surprise. “Can I help?”
I chuckle humorlessly. “What? You ran out of nymphs and sirens to chase? Are you bored?”
Aiden rolls his eyes and grins. “You would be surprised just how many rivers and trees there are in the mortal realm. But you could say I’m bored.”
“I appreciate the offer,” I say, voice dripping with sarcasm. “But how could you help?”
“I know I’m just a two-bit demi-god but give me some credit Kane. I’ve been in the mortal realm much longer than you have, or your little Reaper friends. And you know how good I am at getting what I want.” Aiden’s eyes flash.
I purse my lips. “I don’t want any attention, do you understand? This stays strictly between the four of us. And if I catch you making a scene or spilling my secrets, I’ll have Willem reap your soul early and I’ll keep it in a little jar. Understand?”
Aiden shivers teasingly. “You’re very frightening little brother.” I stare humorlessly at him until he lifts his hands in surrender. “I understand. You have my word.”
“Night, help me,” I mutter under my breath, glaring at my brother. “One other thing.”
“Anything.”
“If I find out you’re plotting against me again, I’ll do worse,” I growl.
“Those days are gone,” Aiden says with a nod.
“Pray you’re right,” I say as I head down the hall, Aiden at my heels. “Or you’ll be very sorry.”
Aiden and I stride through the halls and down the main staircase towards the courtyard. It feels strange to walk beside my brother without weapons between us. I glance at him, suspiciously from the corner of my eyes. There are few people in existence that I trust, and Aiden is not one of them. But he is my brother. And despite his attempts to usurp me, I have never been able to bring myself to hate him as much as I hate the mortals who betrayed me. Perhaps it’s because I know he doesn’t hate me for being the recipient of most of our mother’s attention.
Willem is waiting in the courtyard, stretching out his wings for the last time before we enchant them out of sight for our visit to the mortal realm. Reapers can hide their wings for short periods of time while they’re in the mortal realm reaping a soul. But for this expedition, he’ll have a little help from me. Willem’s blue eyes cut towards us and settle suspiciously on Aiden. I see his nails sharpen to black claws. Aiden balks a little at the sight of my Second, but he pastes an arrogant grin on his face.
“Kane,” Willem says. “What is he doing here?”
“He’s joining us.” I glance at Aiden. “I trust him for the time being.”
Willem retracts his claws, and Aiden relaxes. "Long time no see, William."
“It’s Willem,” the Reaper drawls, going back to preening his wings. “And it certainly hasn’t been long enough.”
“You said four of us would be going.” Aiden cranes his neck, surveying the courtyard. “Who is the fourth?”
“Fourth?” Willem cocks a brow.
I shrug and adjust my jacket. “Briar was also quite convincing.”
“I bet she was,” Aiden leers, elbowing me.
Anger floods through me and I glare at Aiden. “If you ever think of her in that manner again, I will tear your spine from your body.”
Aiden pales, his tan skin growing ashy. Willem chuckles at the sight, his wings settling comfortably between his shoulder blades. “It seems Kane has a soft spot for the mortal,” Willem says. Despite his grin, I can see the resentment in his eyes.
“I would call it a strategy,” I say evenly, meeting Willem’s gaze. I need my Second’s support. I can’t have him doubting me.
“Here comes your strategy,” Willem says, tilting his angular chin towards something behind me.
I hear light footsteps run across the courtyard and smell the soft scent of honey and lilac from Briar's soaps. I turn, heart pounding in anticipation of seeing my mortal bride. I keep my face a careful mask as I watch her bound towards us. Briar runs as if she doesn't care for propriety, dressed in light traveling pants and a plain blouse. Her wet hair has been pulled back messily into a braid, and her cheeks are pink from running. I suppress a smile, instead enjoying the way my heart warms at the sight of her with a cold expression. She stops in front of us, a small pack slung over her shoulder.
I pin
