A sensual smile tugged up a corner of his curvy lips.
“You’re awake, lamb,” he said.
I smiled at him. “A little.”
We gazed at each other, and the heat between us could melt anything in our path. It was a wonder that the floor was still intact.
“Cookie, are you up?” Axel called as the sound of his footsteps approached.
I couldn’t have two of them at the same time, could I?
But with all the demigods in the same house, it might be wise to avoid any conflict or drama. One heated word would set them off into a battle mood. I didn’t want them to destroy Héctor’s beautiful house in the forest, just because I was horny and wanted to get dirty and sweaty with a demigod or two.
I planned to visit here often. Héctor and I would find time for each other.
It wasn’t like I was running out of time, or was I?
I stalked toward my Héctor and wrapped an arm around his waist.
“Let’s go meet the others,” I said. “If you guys have any opinions about me, I want to hear them. Say them to my face.”
Héctor sent me a cautious yet casual look—only he could manage something that contradictory.
“I don’t care about others’ opinions,” he said. “It won’t change a thing between us.”
He wrapped an arm around my shoulder protectively. We strode to the living room and met Axel.
The Demigod of War gave Héctor a look of displeasure before he found my hand and pulled me forward.
Zak and Paxton sat across from each other on ivory leather sofas, a glass table, gilded with gold, between them.
Paxton stared at the trio of us with an unreadable expression, and I ignored him as my gaze alighted on Zak.
“Hello, Zak,” I greeted, my face turning a bit pink as I remembered our mating.
Zak smiled at me, heat instantly rising to his sky-blue eyes. “How do you feel, Rosebud? Are you resting well?”
I swallowed. I didn’t know how I felt exactly. I was different now. That I knew. I was still a bit confused and disoriented. Yet I didn’t feel lost anymore. I don’t know how it was possible, but somehow the demigods anchored me.
I had to let go of the hunter Marigold who used to hide in Crack.
After twenty years of living as a human girl, I suddenly found I might not have any humanity in me. When I searched within me, all I saw was chaos, endless flames, darkness, aching, and insatiable hunger.
I hadn’t asked for this. I hadn’t created myself this way.
My gaze held the demigods’, unfaltering. “Talking about me while I was sleeping?” I purred, not very friendly. “I might be a monster, but I assure you I’m not some ancient, primal monster who roams the Earth and pounces on every being in sight. I’m only twenty fucking years old.” My eyes moistened. “And I just lost my virginity.”
The demigods all became deathly still and quiet. That was a first.
I’d pointed out the elephant in the room. To that degree, I was still that old Marigold.
“Let’s get you coffee, Rosebud,” Zak said gently, breaking the silence. “And we’ll sort all this out together.”
He did sound like a man of reason. And I did need coffee after all this.
“Coffee would be great, thanks,” I grunted.
Zak rose to his feet and left the table.