How much more would Blythe hate him now?
Blythe perched on the bench in No Man’s Land, crouched and balancing on the back. Her mind had yet to settle. At least the scenery soothed. Golden sunshine bathed flowers of every color and winding stone pathways. A sweet fragrance saturated a cool breeze.
“I thought I might find you here.”
She glanced up to see her half sister striding toward her, tall, pale, lithe, and scowling. A General filled with confidence—and dressed for war.
“Are we to do battle?” Blythe asked. “The harpy General against the new Queen of Ation? Very well. I should probably warn you, though. I’m not really in the mood to go easy on you this time.”
Taliyah joined her with a snort, stretching across the bench. “No battle, even though I’m furious with you for trying to sabotage the Astra and putting yourself in harm’s way. But mostly for not bringing me a souvenir from Ation. Just came to chat. So, chat. Tell me you’re okay.”
“Not willing to lie to you.” She heaved a sigh. “Where’s Isla?” The little girl deserved to see her father the second he’d appeared, and Blythe was ashamed she hadn’t gone to her first.
“I’ve got her polishing the royal weapons, so she’ll beverypreoccupied for a few weeks. By the way,” T-bone added, “you are the only harpy in history to score two consorts. I didn’t even think it was possible. No one did. Oh! You’ll be pleased to know I’ve spoken with Neeka about your situation.”
“She’s here?” Blythe could get real answers—real help—with her situation?
“Nope. She’s still with the hell king and having a great time secretly ruining his life, but we’ve managed to sneak in a few conversations here and there. Well, after he and Roc fought. It was glorious. Anyway. Neeks asked me to tell you this: Your heart is your heart, whether it’s this one or that one, so you can toss itandkeep it.”
“What does that even mean?” Blythe demanded.
Her sister shrugged.
This sucked. She rubbed the aching spot between her breasts. “What am I going to do?”
“That’s easy. You do whatever you want. Either you pick one and ditch the other or keep both. Yeah, that’s probably the better plan. Keep both.”
Hardly. “Juggling one possessive alpha male is tough enough, thanks.”
“Okay, so which one do you prefer to juggle?”
That, she didn’t need to ponder. The answer, as shocking as it was, remained clear as crystal.
She chewed on her bottom lip and craned her head to peer at Taliyah through lowered lids. “The one who’s going to cause all kinds of problems.”
“Wow. Him? Truly?” her sister asked, wide-eyed. “Gotta say, I totally didn’t see that one coming.”
Blythe, either. “He’s difficult, complicated, harsh, vexing, frustrating, punishing, hard to read at times, and maddening always. But he’s also gentle, wonderful, lusty, and supportive. Helivesfor me, T. Like, I’m his everything.” Roux hadn’t wanted to, but he’d given her time with Laban. Because he cared for Blythe. “I don’t feel as if something’s missing when we’re together.” Something she’d often forgotten after the manticore’s death.
“But?”
“But. It’s too fast. In the big scheme of things, I’ve basically only known him for a matter of minutes.”
“You’ve only known the other one a matter of minutes, too, there are just more of them. But let me tell you a secret. With the Astra, it’s easy to feel fast and fall hard. It’s their intensity. It sucks you into their orbit and there’s no chance of escape.”
Nodesireto escape. “Also, Roux isn’t the father of my daughter. Oh, yes, and he’s supposed to kill me to save his people.”
“And yet it sounds as though you’ve already made up your mind. So what are you here pondering?”
“How to break the news to Laban and Isla,” she admitted, her shoulders slumping. She’d made so many mistakes lately. She couldn’t afford to make another.
“Well, that one’s easy, too. Do it swift and firm. But do it tomorrow. Tonight, we celebrate your return.”
Leave Isla wondering what Momma would do? Leave Roux hurting longer than necessary? No. He’d endured enough heartache in his endless life. “Forget the party. I’m solidifying my future tonight.”
“Fine. But you owe me big time. I mean it.”
She rolled her eyes.