“If I do something, I’m doomed. If I do nothing, I’m doomed. I can’t take it anymore! He screwed with my mind. The things I’ve seen...”
They grappled, broke apart, and prowled closer, then started all over again. The battle continued until Blythe stopped and dropped without receiving a blow. Flattening her hands on her temples, she curled into a ball.
Taliyah’s anger instantly morphed into concern. “Not this again.” She skidded to her sister’s side. “Just breathe through it, B.” Blue eyes blazing, she bellowed to the masses, “All harpies go! Now.”
Soldiers sprang into action, rushing from the foyer. Only the Astra, the combatants, and Ophelia lingered.
“That’s my cue.” The harpymph peered up at him. “Stay and play with your friends. I’ll attend tea.”
Halo slung his arm around her waist, holding her body flush against his as he sent a message to Roc, who nodded. “Blythe isn’t part of my task,” he told Ophelia. “The Commander has this situation, whatever it is, under control. I will attend the tea, as expected.”
Halo transported her to the proper sitting room. A spacious chamber with multiple round tables strategically placed throughout. Near the farthest corner, Andromeda sat next to Vivian, both females polishing a dagger.
“—see those heads in the foyer? That’s my girl,” Vivian said with obvious pride.
He tensed at the reminder. His own head hung from three different mounts, alongside the beasts. The entire display never failed to ruin his good mood. If ever he woke to find the harpy’s head propped there... Halo thought he might raze the entire realm.
“Where is the tea?” he asked with a harsher tone than intended. He scanned the room, ready to fetch and carry as needed.
“Aw. It’s so cute when you remind me how much my old man isn’t hip to the times. The tea is already in our mouths,” Ophelia explained. “Tea is gossip. I am tea. You really should learn your girlfriend’s language. It’s only fair since I’m learning Geezer. Come on.” She led him forward.
At his approach, the guests went quiet. They watched him with unwavering curiosity.
He adopted his “in public with allies” face—a pasted on I’m not planning to kill you smile. He assisted Ophelia as she sat next to Vivian, then claimed the spot next to her and slung his arm over the back of her chair.
“That’s, um, quite a smile, Astra,” Vivian said, clearly trying not to laugh. “Worried because your girlfriend is meeting your concubine?”
“Andromeda isn’t my concubine any longer.” But yes. A bit. Just not for the reasons she might think. He expected Ophelia to note the lack of stardust on the Amazon’s skin, remember the lack of stardust on her own, and project more soul-crushing disappointment. She might grow tired of waiting.
Sweat beaded on his upper lip. When will I produce it? When, when?
“By the way, I’m Ophelia. Not the Sweetheart. I don’t care what rumors suggest.” The harpymph withdrew a dagger of her own and began sharpening her claws on the blade. “Considering I’ve been going toe-to-toe with this guy—” she hiked a thumb at Halo “—I might change my designation to the Come Back From The Dead Kid. Too soon?” she asked when he scowled.
Just for that... “The Not is silent,” he told the Amazon. “Her name is pronounced the Sweetheart.”
“Good to know. Nice to meet you, the Sweetheart,” the Amazon said with a wink. “I’m Andromeda. Meda to my friends.”
“Meda?” Halo frowned. “Since when?”
She hiked her shoulders. “Since always, I guess.”
“Wow.” Vivian gaped at him. “You didn’t even know your own concubine’s name? Disgraceful!”
“Former concubine,” he corrected. Perhaps he would be better off not addressing the harpire’s question.
“You know who doesn’t remember his concubine’s name, Halo?” Vivian batted her lashes at him. “A bad lover.”
Deserve this. “I was a bad lover.” His cheeks burned. Why? “I’m not anymore.”
“I can vouch for that.” Ophelia kissed his cheek, then winced, stealing a quick glance at Andromeda—Meda. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to rub the big guy’s obsession with me in your face.”
The Amazon gave another shrug, not the least bit concerned. “Guys. Honestly. I’m fond of Halo, but my emotions were never part of our relationship. No offense,” she said with a wince of her own. “I needed a Get Out of Amazonia Free Card, and he provided it. Now I’m thinking about dating around. The army sometimes trains near my window, and I’ve had my eye on a few dozen or so shifters. And berserkers. And vampires.”
“You know what I just realized?” Vivian examined her blade in the light. “I’m the only one at this table who hasn’t boned the Machine. Maybe I should, I don’t know...just thinking out loud here...have a go at him myself? Just to be fair to everyone at the table.”
Ophelia tossed a rag at her. “Go get yourself a side slice of your own. Then we can discuss an overnight trade.”