Ink of Copper

44. In Which a Feeling of Contentment and a Feeling of Loss Reside

Chapter 44

In Which a Feeling of Contentment and a Feeling of Loss Reside

A fter two days of watching her wield her power, he was no less in awe of her than the morning he came upon Camulos and Ellie in the meadow as she set it ablaze with daisies. He had watched her open portals, weak as they were, and send her frustration into the clouds instead of fire through the fields. Camulos tried to rattle her, to destroy her concentration, but even that she seemed immune to now. But what was surprising most of all was her skill as an archer. She never missed. Not once. The accuracy was incredibly impressive, even among warriors.

“Concentrate, Ellie,” Camulos said harshly, annoyed with her already this morning. He’d spent the last two days going from teacher to drillmaster and back, driving her hard, pushing her to hone her skills.

Evander watched her center herself, planting her bare feet into the soft grass more than a hundred yards from where he stood along the tree line.

“I’m trying, but it’s not that easy,” she argued as she held her hands up again and relaxed her shoulders, breathing slowly.

“Look at your target,” Evander heard Camulos say. Nervousness jolted through him, and he closed his eyes, praying she hit the target.

“Now, concentrate all your power towards the object, and when you release, channel your power forward.”

She nodded and formed her hands into a small circle before her. Evander tensed, knowing one slight mistake could be lethal. Watching her concentrate, he felt the moment her magic moved through her as if it moved through him. The surrounding air sparked to life as gaia magic gathered. She wiggled her fingers, and from across the field, he felt the moment her magic released, racing towards him.

It shot out from her like lightning, streaking across the meadow. The flowers and grasses waved as it zoomed above them, racing towards its target. As the bolt flew to him, Evander held his breath, and he said another silent prayer. A snap of electricity, a sizzle of magic, caused the hair on his arms to rise. Then there was an explosion, raining pieces of apple and juice down on his head. Exasperated, Evander sighed and picked a chuck off his shoulder. He examined it and plopped it into his mouth.

“Are we done blasting apples off my head?” he called across the meadow to Ellie’s giggles of delight. “I’m all sticky.”

“Oh, darlin’, I’m sorry,” she shouted and then burst into another round of giggles.

Camulos’s rich laugh, mixed with her feminine one, waltzed across the open field. Ellie had come alive out here. She’d captivated him riding the pegasus; her arms outstretched, wind whipping curled tendrils around her face. Something coursed through him the moment she let go of a past that weighed her down. As if he let go as well. Her face changed to a radiant glow from within. And after that, she had no trouble accessing her magic, harnessing it, honing it. So much so that after only two days, she could wield it with the skill of one far more experienced. He delighted in knowing she was finally beginning to trust herself.

“Come on in, Evander, and get cleaned up. Bring the stool with you,” Camulos called.

The two talked as they all walked back towards the cabin for breakfast, Evander trailing behind.

“You’re a natural, Ellie. Were you really never trained?”

“No. I’ve always had my weird abilities. My parents, well-intentioned as they were, tried every remedy they could find to get rid of them when I was young.”

“Remedy?” Camulos turned his head, his profile blocking some of the sun streaming through patches of leaves.

“Two priests were involved at one point.”

“Oh.”

“No one could ever figure out how I could make things disappear or reappear at will. Or explain my blood. Or tell my parents why I could do what I did. My Aunt Diana was the only one who accepted me, just as I am. But we lost touch after I married. My parents tried their best, but I was always aware of how destructive I was. I once set fire to a neighbor’s old barn.”

Camulos paused in his walk and eyed her cautiously.

“No one was hurt. And no animals were harmed. But Old Man Whittaker was fit to be tied.”

He shot her a quizzical look.

“The police decided it was an accident because kids like to go out in his field to party.”

Cam’s face was one of both shock and mirth.

“Then, of course, Penn.”

Evander hated hearing the man’s name. He was never jealous in his human life. Ann had undoubtedly given him reason to be, and yet he was oddly at peace with her choices before she became his wife. But Ellie? Knowing how Penn made her feel, how he ridiculed her constantly, it made him want to pop over to the human realm, find him in a dark alley for daring to lock his Ellie in a room and claim protection.

“He feared me. I would try my best but, ultimately, I’d lose control. I had to be confined to protect others.”

He tamped down his rising anger and tried to act unbothered for her sake. She didn’t need to see his fury; she needed more gentleness.

“Control it, sure,” Evander teased. “Like getting mad at Maximus for asking about yoga pants.”

She huffed and narrowed her eyes at him, then Camulos, who looked like he was trying not to laugh.

“They are comfortable.” She tapped her lip with her forefinger. “Much more comfortable than this oversized tunic.” She sniffed the collar. “That smells like it was wrestled off a bear.”

“That’s you, my dear.”

As Camulos ducked to enter the cabin door, Ellie gaped at him. She glanced at Evander before returning her gaze to the open door.

“Rude.” She marched through the cabin door laughing.

Ellie and Camulos had formed a strange friendship out here. They teased each other and threw magic, bonding over their mutual powers. Cam was usually more reserved, but with Ellie, he became softer. She brought out the best parts of everyone in the house. It was undoubtedly a much livelier place with Ellie and Syren. He caught her staring at him with a funny expression on her face.

“What?”

“I just can’t get over y’all’s wings. You maneuver around like . . . like—”

“Like they’re part of us?” Camulos said from the kitchen sink.

“Yeah, I guess. It’s just strange. Whenever I think I’m used to it, you do something, and I’m back to wondering how you walk around with those things.”

“We do everything the same as anyone else. Having wings doesn’t make us any different than anyone,” Evander said as he rummaged through a pastry basket that had appeared. One thing he enjoyed about Camulos’ home was the abundance of food. He could think of anything, and it appeared.

“See”—she gestured to the basket as Evander brought it to the table—“even that.” She shook her head. “Strange. Besides, having giant bird wings you use to soar around makes you slightly different.”

“Than someone who, when she gets upset, she sets fires to buildings?” Evander asked.

Ellie laughed. “Yeah, okay. You got me.”

She slid into one of the kitchen chairs sandwiched between himself and Cam, which made her look minuscule. The modest furnishings showed the resident’s taste, but they were still designed to accommodate the man’s impressive size. The chair backs were tall and narrow, while the seats were wide so the occupant could sit comfortably with their wings. His were similar in shape to Max’s chairs but made only of wood and looked carved instead of polished.

Camulos put down a tray in the middle of the table. A beautiful bone-china teapot with delicate flowers circling the base and gold trim around the lid and handle sat to one side. The cream and sugar bowls matched with the same gold trim. Next to the teapot were several pastries and cookies. He placed two dainty teacups with saucers and a mug for Ellie’s coffee beside the tray. Evander stirred a little cream into his tea while Cam added three sugar lumps. The three fell into a comfortable silence for several minutes as they sipped their drinks and took bites of the warm scones. Camulos broke the silence.

“I think you’re ready to go back.”

Ellie swallowed her coffee. “To Max’s or Texas?”

“Maximus’ for now.” He placed his cup down with a clink. “But I am much more confident you can return to Texas. You are calmer and more centered now. Less likely to burn down barns.”

She shrugged one shoulder and pushed up the sleeves of her oversized garment. “That, I’m not so sure about.”

“Oh?”

Her worried gaze flicked to Evander and then back to her coffee. “I can’t do simple things like open portals without serious concentration. I can blast apples when I’m calm but I’m not confident I could do anything in an actual battle. If I had to, I wouldn’t be very confident in my ability to fight back. I’m not a warrior.”

Camulos leveled his gaze at her. “You have learned much more than you realize. Your powers are more fine-tuned and precise. You know how to control your breath and your hands. You need to give yourself more credit.”

Ellie furrowed her brow. “And if the Chthonian come? I might have killed one, but that was an accident. And I was terrified. If I am attacked, Cam, I’m afraid I’ll run. I’m not the savior you want me to be. I’m not like you.”

“You’re more like us than you realize, Ellie dear.”

She wagged her head and frowned. “I’m not. You have read that book and there is no logical reason why I am this way. I’m human, Cam. Human. Not Olympian. Not a warrior. And definitely not a savior.”

“I am still looking, Ellie. But I believe you are. You can’t be the destroyer, you have too much compassion in that heart of yours. I think if we can keep Athena in the dark, we can return you to your realm. I doubt she is investigating anything further, given she has the dagger. The book is a separate problem, but we will cross that bridge when we get to it. Yes, a couple more days, and I believe Ellie can return to her life as before with no reason for alarm.” He winked to reassure her.

Evander shared a look with Ellie, who shrugged and took a bite of her pastry.

A few more days.

That’s all he had with her.

Mere days. Ellie would return to her world, and he would return to this.

Once again, alone.

Something clawed at him as he thought of her returning. An unease that made him want to ask her to stay. To choose Olympus. As if that was ever a choice to begin with.

After a few more minutes, she excused herself to wash up, leaving the warriors at the table. Cam sat down his teacup and gave Evander a pointed look.

“I’m worried about you. And even more so since we’ve been here.”

Swallowing his swig of tea, he furrowed his brows. “Worried? About what?” But he knew what; he just didn’t want to hear it.

“You’re in love with that woman.”

Evander bristled. he was protective of her. She stirred feelings in him, yes, but he only wanted to see to her safety. That she was taken care of. That she didn’t feel alone. That she could count on him. Even if seconds earlier, he wanted her to stay. It was her magic calling to his, that was all.

“I’m not.”

“You are. You’re in love with her, and you and I both know that this will be the death of you.”

He opened his mouth to protest, but Camulos held up a hand and cut him off. “I believe I can find a solution, though. I have decided that once we get back, I will work to find a way to get your soul back from Athena. It’s the only way you can ever truly be with her.”

Evander shook his head. “There isn’t a way to return my soul, Cam. I chose the Circle; I chose my vow. I gave up my soul.”

“And when the time comes? What will you do then? Athena will kill you for breaking your vow. You might not have as of yet, but you will.”

He scrubbed a hand through his hair, but Camulos continued.

“It makes sense, you know, the both of you. I have watched you for two centuries be half a man. Fight the demons of your past by filling your days obeying Athena’s every whim. Training for her war, not truly living. But seeing you here with her, she softens you.”

“She softens you,” he chided.

Camulos nodded in agreement. “She does.” He gave a curt nod. “She will save us, bring Olympus back; on that, I’m certain. But I worry it will come at an incredibly high price. I don’t know if I can convince the council to reward your soul, but I may convince them you acted in the interest of Olympus.”

He knew Camulos was right. He was always right. If he asked his company to go before the council and plead on his behalf, they would, and that alliance could get them killed alongside him. Athena did not take kindly to disobedience among her ranks, and he had disobeyed. He had broken his vow the moment he let Ellie kiss him. The moment he gave in and kissed her back. He was a dead man walking, and if Ellie stayed, she would watch as Athena sent him to the Shadow Realm. And then he wouldn’t be able to protect her from Athena’s wrath. And saving her from Athena was now his only goal.

This matter needed to be resolved quickly. It was the only way he could see that would persuade them to vote in his favor when the time came. If he admitted his wrongdoings now, he avoided the surprise of the council finding out on their own. Evander nodded, decision made. Camulos jerked his head up, and his deep-brown eyes met Evander’s momentarily. Knowing Cam read his thoughts, he waited for an answer. Cam nodded as he, too, agreed.

They continued sipping tea, wordless yet discussing how and when Evander would tell the council everything.

Callassa spied Liam in a corner long after the evening meal had been cleared. With Ellie off in a mystical place and lovesick Evander following, she found herself oddly lonely stuck here in this den of lions. She couldn’t very well go with them; one wrong move and she’d give herself away. So, she played it safe and pretended to be human. Truth be told, she didn’t know how long she could keep it up. She’d damned herself by aligning with Valerius. If she brought the Serathena to him, the Dark Oracle would torture her in that hellish chamber. If she brought Ellie to the Dark Oracle, she would be forever tethered to the bitch. She was caught between two evils. And it sickened her to think what she was doing to her mate.

Last night, she walked the halls for hours, keeping from his bed, telling herself it was for the best. But she awoke wrapped up in his arms this morning, loathing her actions. Because, while the company may be pissed at her for giving their bargaining chip over to their enemy, her mate wouldn’t understand the full extent of her betrayal until she reversed the spell.

And she had to reverse the spell.

She was powerful, but Valerius was right that it took much more energy to keep Liam under it. Liam was strong, but her magic was stronger. Or at least she hoped it was. She eyed him, sitting in a chair, a book spread open between his palms.

“When do you think the three magic-teers will be back?”

He startled, and she barked a laugh. Lowering herself into his lap, nuzzling his ear. “Sorry, did I scare you?”

“I wasn’t expecting you, is all.”

He leaned back as she wiggled herself into a more comfortable position on his lap. Wrapping his arms around her, he pulled her close. He sighed, his chest rising and falling under her as she pushed the nagging tug of guilt down. She didn’t trust Valerius to keep his end of the bargain. The damn cuffs were the only things keeping her from accessing the full power of her magic, but they were also keeping her hidden in plain sight. She had to get her hands on a Kalypso Orb before Aerelia summoned her. Pushing her unease to the side, she concentrated on the man holding her.

She ran her fingers along his forearm, delighting in how his breath caught. No matter how minor, any touch sent waves of desire coursing through him, and because of her enchantment, the waves crashed through her. She stroked his arm, and heat pooled between her legs, forcing her to shift in his lap.

Damn being mated.

“What are you reading?” she breathed into his neck.

“Hell, if I know. I picked it off the wall near Evander’s room, but to tell you the truth, it’s all rubbish. Tonight.”

She tilted her head back and frowned. “What’s tonight?”

“You asked when the three will be back. Tonight. Maximus wants to get out in the yard and wanted Ellie here for it.” His kind eyes smiled, and she curled her toes.

Gods, was he handsome.

“You should come to the yard with us.”

Callassa scoffed and twirled her ring absentmindedly. “Me? No, I don’t think that would be such a good idea. I’m not a fighter. I’m a lover.” She nipped the tender skin on his neck.

“I’m well aware, love,” he growled low. “But I still think getting out of the house would do you good. Get some fresh air.”

She eyed him curiously. If she didn’t know better, she could have sworn he was testing her somehow. She threw her legs over the arm of the chair, pretending not to notice. Liam grabbed her leg and rubbed a thumb against her mated mark. His smile was a little off as he stroked her mark.

“What is it with you and my tattoo? Ink make you hot?” She bit into her bottom lip suggestively.

He looked down, his thumb making circles over the sword intertwined with brambles.

“I just find it incredibly sexy.” He shot her a quizzical look. “I was wondering, what cabin did you say you were in on the ship?”

Callassa froze, her heart skipping a beat. She rubbed her suddenly clammy hands on her thighs and tried to think. “I—I don’t believe I did. Why do you ask?”

He frowned. “I thought you might have left some things behind you’d want me to retrieve. Curiosity, I suppose.” He ran his hand up her leg, to her knee. “You might be too shy to ask. I would get you anything, love. All you have to do is ask.”

She willed her lungs to breathe. “I don’t believe I’m too shy to ask for anything,” she said huskily as she shifted her hips against him. He grabbed her knee.

“Aye, I do believe you’re avoiding the question.” He leaned in close, his warm breath fanning her cheeks. Her pulse raced as he stared. Those eyes of his searing hers, turned from hazel to glowing gold. “Tell me the number, Syren . You haven’t asked many questions since we came, unless it is about me. Did you have a suite number? Or are you a stowaway?”

Her heart jumped to her throat, a shiver running down her spine at her fake name on his lips. She couldn’t swallow past the lump. She paled as Liam’s eyes glowed. Despite clearing her throat, the lump remained stubbornly lodged.

“Um . . . I can explain.”

He reached between them and captured her chin, caressing the underside of her jaw with his calloused index finger.

“Don’t worry, I’m not about to tell on you. Your secret is my own.”

He bumped his nose against hers and kissed her. He was gentle and sweet, her body responding to his nearness, betraying her. When he broke the kiss, he leaned back in the chair and rubbed his fingertips along her upper arm. A satisfied look settled on his face, his eyes returning to the hazel she had grown accustomed to. “My bad girl.”

Callassa flinched and worry lines creased Liam’s forehead. She silently gasped for air, her heart hammering in her chest. She clasped her trembling hands together and tucked them into her lap. Leaning her head on his shoulder, away from his scrutinizing gaze, she tried to calm down. She thought for a moment her spell had weakened. That he had figured out what she was doing here. Or that, somehow, he was immune to her charms. Liam kissed the top of her head.

“I missed you today, love,” he said. He was always kind, always putting her needs first. Leaving him would be what finally shattered her stony heart.

“I missed you too,” she whispered, her heart rate returning to a steady pace. “Anything interesting happen today?”

He sighed and threw one arm over the back of the chair, resting it above his head. “No. Maximus was annoyed, so training was rough.”

“Why was Max annoyed?” she asked, but Liam nuzzled his nose into her neck, causing her to giggle.

“Gods, a chuisle , you smell good.”

She batted at him playfully and then brought her lips to meet his. Their kiss was soft at first, but when she pressed, a growl came from him, and she slipped her tongue between the seam of his lips. Grasping the back of his head, she pulled him even closer, pressing her body into his. The feel of his lips ignited her blood. She couldn’t think straight. She was desperate for him. When she pulled back, his eyes were glazed over, back to gold, his breathing rapid.

“Take me out of here, Liam.”

The mating lust burning in her veins drove her crazy. His face darkened, and his pink tongue poked out between his lips. He shifted his weight, causing her to rub against him. She needed him under her now.

“I can’t, love. I’m waiting for Evander. We have something to discuss.”

A pang of jealousy ran through her. When all this was said and done, Evander and Ellie might end up together. But she, a queen without a throne, would continue to run. Liam would be furious when she reversed the spell, and he came out of the haze. He would surely come after her. In any scenario, she ended up dead, or wishing she was. There was no happy ending for her. In the end, the one who would hurt the most would be Liam. She glanced at him and noticed he was watching her. She desperately wanted to believe this was genuine. That he felt something for her.

For a moment, just a moment, she debated telling him. It was a crazy notion; she wanted to confess all her sins, all her hurts, and maybe he would look at her as he did now. She’d tell him who she was, what she was. Tell him her real name. She would tell him about her mated mark, and they would run far from here. Far enough that Valerius, and Aerelia, and the damned Serathena couldn’t touch them. None of this insanity would matter. Liam would accept her as his mate; he would love her as his and protect her. Be hers. No spells. No songs. No lies. She desperately wanted to tell the truth. And have Liam look at her with understanding and admiration for what she’s had to do to stay alive this long. He would see her. The real her. His mate.

But that was all a fantasy.

Closing her eyes, Callassa kept up her end of the unholy alliance with Valerius.

“What do you want to discuss with Evander?”

He sighed. “Ellie.”

“Don’t you think they make a cute couple?”

“Of course, but that isn’t the point.”

“Okay, so what is the point?” She slid her hand between his back and the chair and snuggled into his chest.

Liam grunted. “It’s complicated.”

“Isn’t it always?”

“Yes, but this is incredibly complicated. It’s just . . .” He looked up at the ceiling, searching for words.

“Well, I like Ellie.”

“I like her too, love. But that isn’t the issue.”

“It’s the whole celibacy thing, isn’t it?”

Liam pushed himself back into the chair. Callassa snorted a laugh at his surprise. “How do you know about that?”

She frowned. “I guessed? It’s not hard to deduce, given that I overheard Maximus and Camulos discussing him as if he were some child.”

Because I know each of you incredibly well.

Liam gave her a strange look. “How did you guess?”

She shrugged. “I can read people. It’s a curse or a gift, I guess you could say. I just figured it out. But what’s the big deal? Are you tasked with keeping little Evander pure because he’s a virgin?” She fluttered her lashes at him.

Liam barked a laugh. “Certainly not.”

“Then what is it? Is it something about being one of Athena’s warriors?”

“It is, in part.” He gave her a sideways glance.

She frowned. “So, why don’t you want them together? Because of sex? He’s a grown man. Handsome. Strong. Tall—” She smiled coyly.

Something in Liam’s eyes snapped, but he tried to play it off as playful. “Hey! Don’t you be getting any ideas. It’s not that I don’t want them together; Ellie is good for him. It comes down to his position, his mark. I’m worried, love.”

She tipped her head and frowned. This was something she had wondered, the mark and its true meaning. Having avoided warriors, their inner workings were still a jumbled mess to her. She knew many things about Olympus’ dark, disturbing sins, but when it came to Athena’s pets, she knew surprisingly little outside of what everyone on Olympus knew. Any knowledge she had gained over the last few weeks had been obtained through pure nosiness. And her special ability to read people like a book.

“Why are you worried? He’s a grown-ass man. Ellie is a grown woman. Who cares?”

Liam wrinkled his nose. “Athena cares, for starters.”

“Why?” She tilted her head the opposite way. “Is she the sex police?”

“No.”

“Then explain it to me like I’m the human you stole and whisked away to Olympus without so much as a second thought.”

He chuckled and rubbed several fingers along her arm. “Aye, I guess I did do that.”

He settled further into the seat, shifting his weight under her until he was comfortable. “Remember the elixir?”

She nodded. “The one that turns you into warriors?”

“Yes, that one. Men become warriors for different reasons. Some out of desperation, some out of punishment. Evander became one out of guilt. He became a warrior and, shortly after, took a vow to enter the Circle of Epsilon.”

Callassa shrugged. “Okay, but why is the keeping of little Evander your responsibility?”

“I’m getting to that, be patient.” He wrinkled his nose again and huffed. “The Circle is elite, only five members, one from each province and one for the king. Among other things, they are elevated rank. Think aristocracy, if it helps. Many of the gods rely on the epsilon warrior of their province to keep them abreast of any grumblings or misgivings warriors have. They are revered in their provinces. But not only that, Athena relies heavily on them. She instructs them to attend special assignments. It is like an inner circle, if you will. But it comes at a steep cost. When a warrior takes the vow, Athena takes his soul, making him vulnerable to magic, particularly the type that Ellie wields. She does this to ensure unwavering loyalty to her.”

“And that’s why you’re so protective?”

He nodded.

“But you have magic, could you hurt him if you wanted?”

Liam frowned, his expression dark. “No, but my magic differs from the others. I have parts of myself I hide, from even you, a chroí .”

She studied him for a moment, trying to decide if she should probe further into what he meant. Sighing, she let it go. Another question, for another day.

“But why would a warrior choose to become that if it leaves him vulnerable? That seems like a dumb ass move.”

“For Evander, it was atoning for his sins. His past is something he has been running from for centuries. Becoming part of the circle gave him a sense of retribution for what he feels is his fault. He could still be an honorable man, but walking the path that Athena set, is a constant reminder that he has something to lose. Tit for tat, as they say.”

“So, you are more than his deartháir, you protect him because he has a weakness that needs protecting.”

Liam nodded again. “We all do. When Evander became a warrior, I demanded he be in our company. We all protect his weak side. Thankfully, Apollo and Artemis aren’t very involved gods. Evander is called to Apollo’s service often, but it is never as frequent as in other provinces.”

“And the celibacy?”

“Athena doesn’t like anyone but Athena. She expects her most trusted warriors to do the same.”

“So, someone has to tell her when one of her special warriors fucks around.” She winked.

Liam chuckled low. “Aye. It’s a flawed system, but Evander is filled with so much damn uptight honor the idiot would confess and get himself killed.”

“Okay, so your best mate has fallen for some woman he met on a cruise. And it turns out she is some mythical creature that the gods of Olympus are terrified of. So, now she could unleash the prisoners, start a second Trojan War and kill everyone. She is powerful enough to kill him if a pissed-off, self-righteous goddess doesn’t do it first. Plus, you know, being celibate, he’s probably inexperienced, so that might suck for Ellie.” She tapped her finger to her chin. “Basically, you’re worried about your mate. And maybe a little sad for Ellie. Got it.”

Liam’s laughter filled the small room and merrily danced down the corridor.

“I suppose,” he said between laughs, “you’re right. I am worried about my best mate. And a little sad for Ellie.”

She snuggled into Liam’s side, pulling both his arms around her. He didn’t protest beyond a grunt as she got comfortable. Meeting his stare, she touched his cheek, bringing his head to hers. She looked deeply into his eyes and waited. His eyes glimmered, and she knew she had him under her spell.

“I don’t want you to worry about Evander,” she purred, rubbing her nose on his. Liam only blinked in response, his eyes tuning gold, softer than before. “He needs to sleep with Ellie. It will be good for him and the company. Evander and Ellie are good together.” She softly kissed his lips.

“Evander and Ellie are good together,” he repeated.

“They belong together.”

“Belong together.”

“You will not stand in their way.”

Liam nodded.

“Good boy.” She kissed the underside of his jaw. Guilt rushed through her in a pounding, relentless wave. “I’m sorry,” she whispered into Liam’s neck. When she looked into his eyes again, Callassa broke her spell.

“Come fuck me, Liam.”