Total pages in book: 27
Estimated words: 25521 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 128(@200wpm)___ 102(@250wpm)___ 85(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 25521 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 128(@200wpm)___ 102(@250wpm)___ 85(@300wpm)
But this time, Halyna shook her head.
"I think...I think I need some time."
The god froze.
"I just need to think—-"
Is this because of the new boy, the god heard himself ask.
Halyna blinked at him. "Do you mean Austin?"
So you call him by his first name now?
"I don't know what his last name is."
Would you use it if you did?
His little bird lifted her shoulders in a shrug. "I don't know, and it doesn't matter either way. My feelings aren't the issue here—-"
Are they not? You have never wanted to fall for a god, he said tautly, and with all the times I have hurt you, you now have ample reason to leave me.
Halyna bit her lip. "I'm just asking for time—-"
Before, what you asked for was space.
"It's practically the same thing—-"
No, the god said heavily. It is not the same, Halyna, and you know this.
Silence.
I love you, Halyna.
"I know." A fragile smile touched her lips. "And I love you, too. Always have, always will."
Then why can you not stay, the god asked hoarsely.
A helpless expression flitted over her features. "I wish I knew," she whispered. "But I don't. All I know right now is that I need time."
Chapter Nine
I tell Eros I'd like to see my parents, and I don't bother hiding my surprise when he actually says yes.
"You mean it?"
Yes.
I was afraid he'd tell me it wasn't safe to do so, but maybe I'm just overthinking things again.
We will need to take a portal back to your world, my god reminds me.
I feel like there's a catch I'm not seeing, but whatever.
I can create a portal that will not cause you any discomfort, but you will need to hold my hand as we pass through it.
And now there's the catch I was looking for.
"Is it really necessary?" I ask dubiously.
Yes.
I consider asking one of his brothers to take me back to my world, but that would make me petty.
Won't it?
Halyna?
"It's fine," I say finally.
And that's how I end up holding my god's invisible hand as we take a portal out of the Old World.
It will be easier if you close your eyes.
My eyes drift close just as I feel his thumb strokes over my knuckles.
(it's just his hand, Halyna)
The heat of his touch burns through my skin, and my heart starts beating hard.
(control yourself, you idiot!)
We're here.
My eyes drift open.
Whoa.
It was literally only seconds ago when the god opened a portal in Coriander House, and now we're suddenly back in Rosethorne. The change is jarring to say the least, but when I turn to face my god, I'm in for a greater surprise...since he's already shifted back into his human guise.
I yank my hand out of his. "Professor!"
His unruly jet-black waves are slightly wet, and I'm stunned at how badly I want to reach up to touch it. Is this because I now know I have every right to, and that's why the professor has suddenly become this six-feet-plus of pure, walking temptation?
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
I hastily clear my mind of all lustful thoughts like I'm emptying my mental computer's recycle bin. "Uh...nothing?"
Dark eyes gleam down at me, and I suddenly feel like I'm playing with fire.
"What would you do," the professor asks huskily, "if I say I want to kiss you right now?"
My eyes widen. "You w-wouldn't dare."
"Won't I?"
He starts leaning towards me, and I automatically jump back.
His lips curve, and I realize he was just teasing me.
"E—-"
Oh, shit. Did I almost call him Eros?
My god laughs, and I glare up at him. "Very funny."
"It is," he agrees.
"I was being sarcastic," I growl.
"I wasn't."
Grr.
"Why did you bring me here anyway?" I ask irritably. "You promised you'd take me to my parents."
"That's why we're here."
"They don't live in Rosethorne."
"They do now."
My jaw drops.
"There are no longer any loopholes in Rosethorne's security, and this is the only place that I can fully guarantee your safety and theirs."
The professor - I mean, Eros - takes my hand as we start walking, and his fingers refuse to let go even when I try tugging my hand out of his hold.
"Someone might see us," I hiss under my breath.
"So?"
"I'm supposed to belong to a certain god. Remember?"
"Are you worried people will think you're cheating me...with me?"
His grin is devilish, and it makes me want to kick and kiss him at the same time.
"I just don't like people thinking I'm the kind of girl—-"
Eros slows down to a stop. "We're here."
Here...where?
I belatedly notice that we're standing across a sophisticated row of townhouses of cream-colored stone and with fancy window moldings. A hot-red SUV is parked right in front of the first one, and my eyes widen when a door on each side simultaneously opens.
"Dad? Pops?"
Five minutes' worth of explanation have passed since then, but my head is still reeling. Rosethorne apparently has "guesthouses" like these scattered all over its land, and one of them is now leased under my parents' names.