I thought of what Nektas had shared about Nyktos convincing Kolis that he was loyal. “Exactly how nice will we have to play?”
“You will do whatever Kolis demands of you,” Rhainstated, speaking for the first time. “No matter how distasteful or vile you find it to be. There will only be a few things that Nyktos can refuse on your behalf.”
Pressure settled in my chest. I started to ask what sort of things, but I fell silent at the way Nyktos’s features turned stark. Reaver nudged my hand, drawing my attention. He bumped his nose against my palm once more. Swallowing, I ran my fingers over his forehead, mindful of the small bumps that had sprouted along the crown of his diamond-shaped head. One day, they would grow into horns larger than my hand, if not half my arm.
“That means no threatening to cut his eyes out and feed them to him when he inevitably angers you,” warned Rhahar, the smooth, rich brown skin of his cheek gleaming under the sconce he stood by.
“How did you hear about that?” I exclaimed.
“Everyone has heard about you threatening Attes.” Nyktos smirked.
“He actually told Theon and me on his way out that day,” Lailah said. “He was rather amused by it.”
Theon frowned. “And kind of turned on by it,” he said. A low rumble radiated from Nyktos as the air charged. Theon held up his hands. “Sorry. Forget I mentioned that.”
I stared at Nyktos, using every ounce of willpower I had not to say anything. The utteraudacityof him being angered over another person being attracted to me—no matter how bizarre that attraction was—when I wanted to set the settee I sat upon on fire because of what he had been doing with Veses on it…
Nyktos’s gaze flickered to mine, the pulse of eather brighter. I held his stare for a moment and then looked away. My attention collided with Rhain’s. He watched us, his lips drawn in a tight, thin line.
“When are you all leaving then?” Saion asked, rocking back on his chair as he planted his boot on the edge of the desk.
Nyktos knocked his foot off the table. “After we return from Irelone and have removed the embers.”
I stiffened, my hand stilling.
“Got it.” Saion lifted his chin. “We’ll hold it down here.”
“Wait,” I said. Reaver turned his head toward Nyktos. “We don’t know how long that will take.”
“We know where to start looking for Delfai,” Nyktosresponded. “And we will take however long is necessary.”
I glanced at Nektas. The draken said nothing as he tried to tuck Jadis’s foot under the blanket. “How long did it take before Kolis grew angry when you last delayed in answering a summons from him?”
Nyktos said nothing.
Irritation rose as I glanced around the room, my hand sliding along Reaver’s back. “How long?”
Everyone studiously studied the floor, the ceiling, or one another. Everyone except Rhain. “Less than a day.”
“Fuck,” Nyktos growled, pushing off the desk as he turned to the god. “Normally, I expect that shit from thisone.” He jerked his chin.
“Hey,” Ector grumbled. “I kept my mouth shut this time.”
Rhain didn’t back down, but he did take a step back. “She should know what the delay will cost.”
“Pretty sure he wanted the exact opposite,” Bele murmured. “Either way, we’ve got it covered.”
Theon nodded. “That we do.”
“No,” I said.
Every head turned to me—even Nektas’s and Reaver’s. But it was only Nyktos who spoke. “Sera—”
“No,” I repeated, and Reaver rose onto his haunches, eyeing the Primal. “I don’t want to be a part of whatever Kolis will do in retaliation for us not answering his summons in a timely manner.”
Eather seeped into the skin of Nyktos’s cheeks. “You are more important than—”
“Don’t say it,” I warned as he took a step forward. “The—”