During the time she had spent with him the last few weeks, Broni had begun to hope. Not for more—she was well aware he would never love her like Deena—but she had hoped he would want to become more intimate with her. Little things like holding her close after sex, getting her a drink, maybe even flirting with her a little. Anything to show that she was more than just a fuck.
Broni swallowed hard when realization hit that this would was all she would ever be to him. Eventually, Rhys would grow tired of her, find other women to fill the void Deena had left behind. It would not take long with his new ability to transport; a new world would be open to him. The Goddesses would be eager to add him to their list of lovers as well. The body he had developed within the last few weeks would draw them like a moth to a flame. Without a connection to her, he would see no reason to deny himself. They would have his body, no more able to earn his love than her. Only one woman would have his heart—Deena.
Broni waited until he slipped into a deep sleep before she left, sensing it would be the last time. He no longer needed her. His nightmares had almost ceased now, often ending before she could soothe him. He was healing, so it was her who held on to the fallacy that he needed her to sleep. A misguided hope.
He had become used to her presence, but never once in the weeks they had slept together had he reached out for her. If he woke up with her beside him, they would have sex. If she had already left, he did not search for her.
She lingered for a moment longer, staring down at Rhys with her heart breaking.
“You win, Rhys. May you find the peace you’re searching for. My love goes with you.”
Chapter 18
Dawn was lightening the sky when Rhys woke with a start. The room was icy, but not with the temperature, it was with the frigidness coming off the woman sitting by his bed.
“What the hell are you doing in here?” He quickly gathered the sheet to cover himself, staring at Fate’s expression. It did not take a genius to see she was furious with him.
“I told you I would not interfere, but the time has come where I will no longer tolerate how you treat my daughter.”
Rhys angrily started to rise from the bed with the sheet around his hips. A flush rose in his face at her disdainful expression as he tried to keep his cock covered.
“I don’t think this is the time or place for this discussion. I’ll get dressed and meet you downstairs for breakfast.”
“Get dressed. I will wait outside.” Fate rose regally, walking to the balcony off his bedroom.
Rhys dressed, determined to get the next several minutes over with. He knew that Fate was going to give him hell for Broni, but he was just as determined that she realize Broni was the one who had initiated their sexual relationship.
Minutes later, he stood outside with Fate. She was watching the sky, strain etched on her face. She was a beautiful woman, but worry over Zerina was beginning to take its toll. Rhys felt guilty since he had added to her stress because of Broni. Perhaps it was time to stop whatever was happening between them. Rhys ignored the burning ache he experienced at the thought.
Fate turned at his approach, staring at his face. Her gaze sharpened on his resolved expression.
Rhys began before she could voice the disapproval he could see in her furious eyes. “I understand your concern for your daughter’s feelings. I’ll make sure we stay away from each other’s rooms.” He was determined Fate would know he was no young boy about to be reprimanded by an angry mother.
“Is it so easy for you to give her up, Rhys?” Fate’s gaze became glacial.
“What do you want me to say, Fate? That I am in love with her? I’m not. And I won’t lie to you or her by saying I am or that there is a chance in the future my feelings will change.”
Disdainfully, Fate curled her lip at him in disgust.“You arrogant prick! I know better than you what your feelings are for my daughter—she’s your personal fuck-toy. She’s not good enough to replace that perfect wife of yours who you spoiled rotten with a lavish home, expensive jewelry, and even a nanny to help with the children. She never turned her hand to clean a speck of dust; you hired a maid to clean your home. The only thing she did that made her a wife was share your bed and bear your children. You couldn’t even fuck her the way you wanted, could you? Her delicate sensibilities would shatter if you treated her the way you treat Broni!”
When Rhys jerked as if she had struck him, Fate took a step forward, grasping his arm. Rhys thought she might actually strike him, instead he found himself in a huge dining hall with a throne. He recognized Odin who was sitting with a goblet in his hand, surveying the room. A woman who was wearing only a blue, gauzy skirt with her breasts bare sat at his feet.
Odin stiffened when he saw them standing in the middle of his dining hall. He spoke quietly to the woman at his feet, and she rose to her bare feet, leaving the room through a doorway to the side of the throne.
“Fate, I see you finally decided to bring him home.” Rhys was confused by his words.
Broni’s mother’s grip on his arm tightened. Tugging him forward, she led him to the front of the room to stand in front of Odin.
“You can have him.” Fate released his arm. “Give him the homecoming you think he deserves. I should have known he would be no better than you, but because Broni loves him, I wanted to give him a chance.”
“I don’t—” Rhys turned to Fate at her words.
“If you tell me one more time that you don’t care for her, I will stab you in that black heart of yours,” Fate threatened him.
Odin laughed. “You’ve really pissed her off, haven’t you?”
Rhys remained quiet, not wanting to cause further argument with Fate.
“Wise choice,” Odin said as if reading his mind.