I’ve been alive for thousands of years, wandering the Realm of the Gods with senseless abandon. While some of my brethren chose to settle down and create a kingdom for themselves, I remained a nomad. I’ve never had a home before, and I never wanted one. Why would I, when I could enact vengeance best on my own? You’d be surprised the deranged acts people commit when they think no one is watching. When they think they can get away with it.
I thrive on justice, on karma.
And I thrive on doing it by myself.
But then, a goddess demanded my presence, and for the first time in centuries, I heeded her call.
As her assistant, Rebecca, leads me down a twining hallway, I envision my meeting with the legendary goddess capable of evoking fear in lesser men. I expect her to be cruel and hideous, the taint on her soul reflecting on the outside.
Instead, when I enter the elegant banquet hall, I see a young woman with a jovial smile on her face, laughing alongside a tall man with messy brown hair. They both glance up when I enter, and a knot forms in my throat when I meet her eyes.
She’s…beautiful. The light radiating from her smile is just as bright as the light I see in her soul. How can that be? How can the Goddess of Pain still have more goodness in her than most men and women I meet? Shouldn’t she be dark and twisted?
“Helio!” she states, gracefully moving from the chair. My eyes sweep over her generous curves before I smooth my expression over. The man beside her smiles broadly, as if he knows the direction of my thoughts and can’t help but agree. He moves to stand beside her, lightly tracing a line down her arm to her wrist.
Jealousy momentarily blinds me, the emotion foreign and entirely unexpected.
The man’s smile grows as he leans forward to whisper something in her ear. She giggles, the sound racing straight to my cock, and I just barely hold in my growl.
“I would like to hire you,” the Goddess of Pain says evenly as she moves around the table. She wears a white dress with a neckline that drops to her stomach, revealing ample cleavage. “My sources say that you’re able to tell what punishment fits the crime. Is that true?”
I don’t bother responding with words, choosing instead to nod once. I learned long ago not to waste my breath on trivial things.
“As my executioner, you’ll be offered the protection of my kingdom,” she continues, but I’m barely processing her words.
Yes, I’ll follow you anywhere. Whatever you want from me, I’ll do.
But I don’t say those words out loud. Instead, I watch her pace in front of the table, her white dress swishing around her legs.
“You’ll be paid handsomely, of course.” She spins abruptly. “I know you have been made an offer by…Athena.” Her face twists prettily in disgust, and the man—her lover—begins to laugh.
“Baby girl, your hatred is showing,” he teases.
“Shut it, Desmond!” She whips her head around to glare at him before turning back towards me.
“I can’t offer you as much as she can. My kingdom is smaller, poorer, but I will do whatever I can to make you feel at home. If you would like a house somewhere away from the palace, I can do that.”
No! I think immediately, adamantly.
I can’t leave her.
“Rebecca.” The gorgeous woman extends a hand, and her assistant hands her a slip of paper. To me, she says, “This is what we can offer you.”
I don’t take the paper. I’ll do what she wants for free, if that is what it takes to remain by her side.
“I’d be honored.” I place my fist over my heart and bow my head subserviently. “Your Highness.”
I COME BACK to myself with all of the finesse of a bull barreling through a china shop.
Emily.
My goddess.
It feels as if I’ve been living my life caught in the intricate strings of a gossamer spider web. I was nothing but an insignificant fly preparing to be devoured by a spider. I’ve finally shed the silky strands and am able to see the world more clearly than I ever had before.
My goddess.
Before I can beg her for forgiveness, pledge my loyalty, fall to my fucking knees, the front door explodes in a kaleidoscope of orange, red, and amber.
CHAPTER 10
I see recognition spring to life in Helio’s dark, expressive eyes. He stares at me with growing horror and wonderment, mouth opened slightly.
And then, the world explodes.
At least that’s what it feels like. One second, I’m standing before my beastly mate, his eyes hooded with desire and wanton need, and the next, I’m pressed beneath his muscular body as tiny slivers from the ceiling erupt around us. The pungent stench of smoke wafts up my nostrils, and I twist my head to the side as I cough violently.
The smoky scent reminds me distinctly of…
“Did you miss me?” a familiar voice sing-songs from the doorway. Helio jumps to his feet, a low growl emitting from his chest as he faces the newcomer.
Wiping away soot and debris, I stand as well, my heart juddering wildly in my chest like a herd of wild horses.
Standing in the opened doorway, red moonlight illuminating his white-blond hair, is Arsin himself, God of Flames.
A cigarette dangles from his lush lips as he stares at me, mischief and insanity reflecting from his sparkling eyes. His blond hair hangs in loose waves down to his chin, and I have the irresistible urge to run my fingers through them. I can’t help but note the light scruff on his sharp jawline as well.
Today, he wears a form-fitting suit with a dark blue tie. No surprise. Sin is either naked or dressed to the nines. There is no in between.
“Arsin,” I breathe, taking an instinctive step closer. Helio reaches behind him to place a hand on my stomach, urging me back a step.
“Now, now, now, no
