“Yeah, but how long do we have before she’s missed and someone comes looking for her?” I asked. Though, hopefully, Nyktos managed to transfer the embers, and Veses’ whereabouts would be the least of anyone’s concerns as he Ascended as the true Primal of Life.
She snorted. “You really think the crowd Veses runs with would care enough to realize she’s missing? The answer would be no. To be honest, I bet most are grateful she’s gone.”
Well, that kind of…made me sad. And I didn’t want to feel bad for her because I was petty and still didn’t fully understand what the hell was going on between her and Nyktos. He claimed he couldn’t stand her but let her feed from him and do who knew what else. And Veses did care about him, at least enough to not want to see him get in trouble with Kolis.
But I had a feeling someone knew what was going on between them.
“Do you know if Rhain is still here?” I asked.
“He is. He’ll be one of your escorts to Lethe.”
I glanced at the closed doors. Now probably wasn’t the best time for this conversation, but… “I would like to see him really quick, if you know where he’s at.”
Curiosity marked her features. “He’s nearby. I’ll get him.” She looked at the gown. “Remember. Less movement is better.”
“I remember,” I said, smiling, even though standing still while Bele retrieved Rhain was easier said than done. Thankfully, she returned within minutes with one very confused-looking god.
“You needed to see me?” Rhain asked, coming to stand with his hand on the hilt of a sword.
“Yes.” I glanced at Bele. “Can you wait for us in the hall?”
Her brows shot up. “Do I have to?”
“I would like it if you did.”
“But I’m nosy.”
I stared at her while Rhain looked even more bewildered.
“Fine,” Bele grumbled. “I’ll wait in the hall.”
Once the door was closed, I turned to Rhain. “There’s something I need to ask you.”
His head tilted toward the brighter light of the chandelier, turning his hair more red than gold. “And this isn’t something you could ask in front of Bele?”
“I didn’t think you’d answer if she or anyone else were present,” I told him.
“I have a bad feeling about where this is going,” he muttered, clearing his throat. “What is it you want to know?”
“In a few hours, I will be the Consort. I assume that means I have some level of authority when it comes to those here—even Nyktos’s guards.”
Rhain’s golden-brown eyes narrowed. “It does.”
“So, that means if I ask you something, you’d have to answer mehonestly, correct?”
“Yeah.” He drew out the word. “I guess so.”
“Then I’m hoping you’ll answer what I’m about to ask so that I don’t have to order you to do it in a few hours,” I said as wariness settled into his features. “I know this is likely a very inopportune time to ask this, but I want to know what Nyktos sacrificed for me.”
Rhain blinked, and it took a few seconds for his expression to smooth out. “I didn’t mean—”
“I don’t think you were being dramatic, as Ector claimed. You know something.”
He stared at me, his shoulders tensing. “Why do you wantto know?”
“Because I do.”
“Let me rephrase. Do you actually care if he did or didn’t?”