"Others have shown me that even though things are changing, it is not necessarily bad. So I have decided that we, too, shall change…if you are willing to try?" The High Father gives Kassam a fond look. "Or is your heart set on abandoning this world?"
I can feel Kassam hesitate, but his answer is firm. "My heart is set upon being with Carly."
My eyes burn with tears, because I'm not sure what I did to deserve such a sweet, perfect partner, but I'll take him. I hug the arm he has wrapped around me, never wanting to let go.
The High Father watches us, and I could swear that fondness in his eyes flickers over me as well as Kassam. "Aron of the Cleaver was given an anchor from the other realm, as well. It was an experiment that the Spidae and I came up with. Perhaps lessons will be learned if they are learned together. An anchor that is mortal, with all its failings, but who is also yet unfamiliar with this world can help point out some of the problems, and bring new ideas with them. It worked very well, and Aron was restored quickly. What I did not anticipate was that he would fall in love with his anchor. He was furious when she was taken from him and stormed Death's realm to retrieve her." He chuckles. "Rhagos was not pleased."
"What happened to her?" I ask, unable to remain silent.
The High Father blinks at me. "I have decided that the Aspect that ascends shall keep his anchor at his side, to allow that anchor to continue influencing their partner—their god—just as they did in the mortal realm."
"Forever?" I'm breathless at the thought. Kassam squeezes me so tightly I swear my ribs are going to pop, but I get it. I feel the same way he does.
"Forever." The High Father casts an amused look at Kassam. "But you must promise to listen to her advice and not spend all your time in orgies with dryads."
Kassam chuckles like a naughty boy and presses a kiss to my hair. "I am only interested in touching Carly. All others have lost their appeal."
I rub my ear. "I'm sorry, did you say orgies with dryads?" Am I going to have to kick a bunch of dryad asses if they try to touch my man?
"Will you stay, then?" the High Father asks, not looking at me. His focus is entirely upon Kassam, and for a moment I could swear his emotions show through, and I get the impression that he doesn't want Kassam to leave at all. That if Kassam turns him down, it will hurt him unbearably. I wonder if even the High Father has favorites. It's easy to love Kassam, so I get it.
Kassam turns me in his arms, his gaze seeking mine. "Will you stay with me, Carly? Be my wife and my anchor? It will mean that you will remain here in my world forever. You will be forced to endure me, day in and day out." His expression grows flirty. "Though I promise we shall continue our one-up games."
I grab him by the ears and kiss him. "I love you, you idiot. Of course I'll stay. You didn't even have to ask." I kiss him again and then pull back. "But you have to promise to keep off the dryads."
"Did I not just say that I only have eyes for you?" He arches a brow at me and sticks a finger in my ear. "Is your hearing going, my little light?"
I push his hand away and grab a fistful of his permanently tangled hair. "I'm just warning you. If there's an orgy on your plane, it had better be an orgy of two. Me and you. That's all."
The smile he gives me is one of delight. "All holes filled by me shall be yours. I understand."
I squint. I'm not sure if I should agree with that. "Can we focus, please? You need to give your father an answer…" I turn around, trailing off, and then frown as I realize we're in the room alone. "Did he leave?"
"He did. He knows my answer." Kassam settles me in his lap, tucking me against his chest. "You swear you will not mind staying with me? I do not want you to be sad, my little light."
Sad? How can I possibly be sad? I reach up and caress his jaw, at the short beard that's been coming in slowly. "You and me forever? You getting your powers and your realm back? How could I possibly be sad?"
He gives me another fierce kiss, and then another, and another, as if he can't stop kissing me. "Because you're forced to stay with me now. You will be at my side for all eternity. You will not be able to go back to your world." He kisses me again, each one more fervent than the last. "I will make it up to you, I promise."