Ink of Copper

46. In Which the Morning After Gets a Custom Quiver

Chapter 46

In Which the Morning After Gets a Custom Quiver

Inside La Palazza Stellarum in the Hills of Asteria

E llie cursed at the offending phenomenon of bright sunlight hitting her in the eyes. Opening one eye, she squinted, momentarily forgetting where she was. Sitting up, she pulled the covers with her. The furnishings were different, but familiar. A large desk sat on one side of the room. The fireplace gave off a warm glow, the flame dancing to life. Before it sat two oversized chairs with a little table in between. The bed was larger than hers, with a deep emerald-green, lightweight sheet that spread out from her for what seemed like miles in all directions. While her chamber was functional, if not sparse, this chamber had a clear, permanent occupant.

Evander’s room.

Evander.

Remembering, she turned her face towards the sun streaming through the floor-to-ceiling windows. The massive ones in her room stopped at the ceiling, but here, they kept going, bending around and forming a partial roof, like an atrium. She looked around, half-expecting to find Evander asleep somewhere, and was more than a little disappointed to be alone. Smoothing out the bedsheet beside her, she leaned over to bury her nose in his pillow. The delicious mix of spice, soap, and maleness greeted her.

Throwing the covers back quickly reminded her that she was topless. She stretched her arms like a cat waking from a long nap. Walking confidently around his room, she looked for something to steal to wear back to her chambers. The thought of running back to her room topless wasn’t something she was keen on. Eyeing his wardrobe, she spied one of his shirts and slipped it over her shoulders, then sighed at the length. The dress shirt stopped mid-thigh on her, much shorter than the tunic she wore at Camulos’ cabin. At least it would cover her ass as she walked the hundred or so steps between the two rooms. Buttoning up the buttons, she rolled the sleeves. She was barefoot, bare-legged, half-dressed, and decaffeinated. Anyone who saw her this morning and dared to say something would meet her sharp tongue. Catching a glimpse of herself in his full-length mirror, Ellie paused on her way out the door. Her gray eyes were sparkling; her cheeks had a rosy glow. She looked like a woman who was—how did Syren put it one morning?

“Well-fucked.”

They hadn’t, of course, at least not in the way that could get him sentenced by the council. At least she thought not. However, she had to finish herself off before she could sleep. Thoughts of last night—Evander’s moans, his words, commanding but encouraging—had her feeling a flurry of butterflies for the first time in twenty years.

That’s my girl.

Heat pooled once more between her legs at the thought of his praise. One thing last night proved to her? Evander was nothing like Penn. He asked before touching her, continued making her the focus, and ensured she was willing. No, nothing like Penn at all.

She was anxious to see him this morning—one last glance in the mirror and a frown formed on her lips at her hair. The curls had taken on a life of their own, sticking out in every direction. Trying to smooth them would be futile as they protested any effort she made to tame them. She shrugged, pulled her hair aside, and attempted a braid.

Just once, I want to wake up like one of those princesses in a cartoon.

As she untangled the protesters, a pair of black sunglasses caught her eye in the mirror. She moved to the dressing table and picked them up. The very idea he had kept them had her smiling. She placed them back on the felt and opened a drawer. Then another.

Several minutes later, she had snooped her way around the chamber, finding out little things about Evander. The way his tunics were lined in the wardrobe with such precision, she was certain he had a ruler. His human clothes, as she affectionately called them, were neatly folded and arranged by color. He had minimal products for a man who kept his hair tightly coiffed. But her biggest discovery was in his nightstand. She knew she shouldn’t open it, and truth be told, she would have been mortified if he had opened hers and found her toy, but she couldn’t help herself. The drawer held only a few items: a mask, several feathers that looked plucked from his own plumage, and a long, white, silken ribbon. The cool silk slipped through her fingers as she thought about the enigma of a man that slept across the hall from her. For someone who was supposed to be celibate, he sure had a collection of non-celibate things. When he had mentioned tying her up, she had thought he was exaggerating. But the ribbon was proof he wasn’t. And what was more, Ellie liked the idea more than she probably should. Giving over that type of control to Evander had her pulse racing. She folded the silk binding into the neat little pile she found it in and started for her room.

Lost in her musings, she turned past the sitting area, intent on her chambers. She was three steps from her door when she heard a throat clear. Their eyes met, and she stopped dead, letting out a little squeak.

Liam sat in one of the oversized green chairs that flanked the couches in the heart of the room. He had a pastry in one hand and was mid-bite when his gaze locked with hers. A slow grin spread across his face as he put the pastry down and wiped his mouth daintily with a napkin. She straightened her shoulders and, turning, headed for the sideboard laden with treats as if that were her destination all along.

“Good morning.” Ellie nodded politely and aimed for the aroma of coffee, figuring if she acted confident, Liam would forget which room was Evander’s and not tease her.

“Oh, good morn to you, love.” His eyes danced merrily. “Did you sleep well?” He smiled at her like a madman and sat back in the chair, his arms crossing his chest.

He was going to be merciless.

Deciding that pouring coffee into her mug was the most exciting thing in this realm, she turned her back and focused on the task. She scooped sugar and cream, stalling as her spoon rattled loudly against the ceramic mug, and glanced over her shoulder at him.

“I slept very well. And you?”

“Aye, I bet you did, love. I bet you slept very, very well.” He smirked a crooked grin, looking every bit like a child who just found the biggest and best birthday present.

Blushing, she spent a ridiculous amount of time deciding on some fruit.

“Have you seen Evander?” She regretted the question immediately.

“Not as you have, dear,” Liam teased.

She whirled to face him, placing her mug on the table.

“This isn’t what it looks like,” Ellie snapped, resting her butt against the side of the table. “And even if it is, who cares? Y’all kidnapped me and—and forced me to be here. For all you know, I went to sleep and woke up refreshed and needed something in Evander’s room.” Ellie haughtily raised her chin in the air.

“Like his shirt?” Liam lifted an eyebrow.

“Maybe.”

Rising from his chair, he strode to a small corner and bent down to retrieve something from the floor. He held it aloft. Heat rose from her neck to her cheeks.

Her nightgown .

He frowned and looked at it. “I don’t think this fits my good mate.” Shaking it, his grin widened. Ellie wished for an asteroid to slam into them. When it didn’t, she bit the inside of her cheek and reached for her coffee.

“You want to explain this?”

Instead of an explanation, she took several loud sips from her mug, refusing to make eye contact.

“That’s what I thought.”

She was sure Liam would continue teasing had Evander not come swaggering towards them from down the hall. He was in human form this morning and carrying a small tray of something from the kitchen on top of a large box. A navy t-shirt clung to his chest, his golden-blond hair set into place, but it was his sweatpants that did most of the heavy lifting. The very ones from last night that had Ellie panting at the sight of him were slung low again. His gaze caught hers; a smile lit his handsome face, causing her heart to skip a beat. Those soulful eyes raked across her half-dressed body. Suddenly, she worried she looked disheveled, and she touched her hair. The morning light that streamed in from the windows bathed him with a soft, golden glow and that sexy lope had her curling her bare toes into the carpet. He looked at her as if she were a glass of sweet tea and he was dying of thirst. That was until he saw Liam standing in the center of the room, holding her nightgown.

He froze.

His face drained of color, and he turned slightly green.

“You’re in trouble,” Liam said in a singsong voice that was clearly reserved for sibling disputes.

“This isn’t what it looks like.” Evander crossed to her in a few long strides and set the box and tray on the table; the china clinked together.

“She’s already said that.” Liam jerked his head towards Ellie, who wrapped her hands around her mug. “I tried to warn you, Evander. I told you last night. We all tried. You’re headed for disaster. What did you tell me on the ship when I asked if I needed to be concerned? What did you say?”

“This isn’t the same,” Evander snapped defensively.

“Isn’t it? You are being impulsive and reckless, just like last time. You could lose everything.”

Liam stroked his shaven chin with one hand while still holding her nightgown with the other. His stoic expression worried Ellie, and she shifted her gaze between them.

“What did you say?”

“I won’t make the same mistake twice,” came the mumbled response.

“Same mistake twice! Deartháir , I believe that was a minor mistake to one you just committed.”

“Bugger off, Liam. I don’t need you to look out for me.” Evander moved to stand beside Ellie. He placed his hand at her back, which would have been a sweet gesture had she not thought it was more for reassurance than anything else.

“Mate,” Liam began, “you know we can’t save you this time. I can’t save you. The Legion Council will have to make a judgment rule on this. I can’t believe you—you of all of us. This isn’t like you. Have you gone daft?” He folded his arms tightly and shook his head. “No offense, Ellie, you are quite a sight this morning. You look as though you’ve had a right proper tussle, but Evander knows the risks.”

“Nothing happened.” Both men turned to look at her; Liam, in disbelief, Evander in sympathy. She was shaking her head rapidly. “It didn’t.”

“Oh, something happened.”

“He thinks we slept together, Ellie,” Evander said, his eyes on Liam.

“Yes,” she said, exasperated, “I’m well aware of what he thinks.”

Oral sex, but Liam doesn’t have to know that.

Liam shot her a look that told her he wasn’t buying any of it, and then he glanced at Evander, who was shaking his head. He smirked.

“Ahh, couldn’t close in for a ride, huh, mate?”

“That’s not . . . no, that’s not—” Evander scrubbed a hand through his hair.

This teasing crossed a line. They were both consenting adults, free to do what they wanted. Liam was taking this too far.

“What does it matter if we did? Why would sleeping with me be so horrible? I’ve been married and divorced. This ain’t my first rodeo. I’m not some fragile virgin who needs to be handled with care. I understand this arrangement is temporary.”

“His vow of celibacy, Ellie.” Liam pointed his thumb at Evander. “It matters.”

“I don’t understand. He took the vow years ago, and now he might want to change his mind. Why are you acting like this is catastrophic?” She was confused.

“It’s a death sentence, Ellie,” Liam responded. Evander narrowed his eyes but stayed mute. “How do you think we become like this?” Liam shrugged his wings, making them rustle.

“I hadn’t thought about it,” she lied. She had thought about it extensively but was too afraid to ask.

“Once we consume the elixir tailored for Athena, it transforms us into her warriors. We aren’t born this way; we were all once men. Human men. Evander is one of the Circle of Epsilon, a special company of warriors. It’s why his mark looks different from the rest of us. Why different rules govern him. He swore a vow to Athena, but it’s more than that. In exchange for his complete and utter allegiance, she takes his soul. Warriors cannot be killed easily—immortality and all that—Evander is an exception. Magic can kill him. Your magic. His soul is in Athena’s keeping. He is hers to control. Breaking his vow won’t just get him reprimanded, he will die. That is the price, and it’s steep. Without a soul, he won’t go to the Underworld Kingdom like the rest of us. Evander will go to Tartarus. Tortured for an eternity for disobeying his goddess.”

Her breath caught behind her ribs. She didn’t want to believe it was true, but his face told her it was—every word.

Liam continued. “Your magic is powerful, Ellie. So powerful you could kill him if you wanted. And you almost did. The scar on his shoulder should constantly remind him to stay away from you.” He pressed his full lips into a thin line. “Your power; your very existence threatens this company. We protect you, deceive on your behalf; we all knew the consequences. But Evander is taking the biggest risk. I meant what I said, love. You are good for him, and at any other time, I would encourage him. I would have told him to grab hold of you and never let go. Hell, I’m hoping Camulos can get a meeting with the council. But falling in love with you, Ellie, will make him a Chthonian.”

She gaped, unable to speak.

“We aren’t in love,” Evander whispered beside her.

For some reason, those words hurt. They tore at her like jagged rocks. But if she were honest, she couldn’t be in love. It was way too soon. She wanted him, desired him, but lust wasn’t love, and all they shared was lust.

Right?

“I understand the position I’ve put you in.” He gave her a sad smile. “I have decided to go to the council and confess. If it comes down to it, Liam, I’ll take full responsibility.”

Darkness covered Liam’s features, and his lips thinned. Ellie watched them, friendship forged years ago, and finally understood how worried Liam had been for him, and how much it would cost him to give in. For her, sex would be a fleeting moment, a fling, something she did on the weirdest vacation ever.

For Evander, sex would send him to an eternity of torture.

Liam crossed the room, closing the space between the two. He put his hand on Evander’s shoulder and squeezed. “Video et taceo.” I see, and I keep silent.

When he left, Ellie pushed off the buffet, trying to put distance between them.

“Evander.” Her voice was shaky. The excitement from this morning was now gone, replaced with seriousness. She wanted to escape to her room and spend the last few days trying to forget him. He held up his hand, interrupting her.

“Before you say anything, I need to say something.” The hand ruffled his tawny hair. “I’m sorry.”

“For what?”

“I should have followed you last night. You have to know, I wanted to.”

She sighed. “You’d have broken your vow if you did.”

“I don’t care about my vow, Ellie, if it means being unable to be near you. I’m sorry.”

“You’re apologizing for not sleeping with me?”

“Well, yes.”

“That’s a first.” She tilted her head.

“What’s a first?”

“An apology for a non-fuck.”

His face was so severe that she could only offer a weak smile at the absurdity of the whole thing. Impulsively, she cupped his cheek with her palm, and he turned into it, closing his eyes.

“I don’t need an apology, Evander. I finally understand, and I can’t let you risk so much. I’m not worth the risk.”

She crossed her arms over her chest, making his oversized shirt ride up her legs. His hungry gaze slowly caressed her bare legs, and when his eyes snapped up to meet her, she sucked in a breath. His pupils overtook the green, and his look turned heated.

“Maybe this”—she gestured between them—“isn’t such a good idea.”

“Maybe not.”

She leaned back against the table and crossed one leg over the other. Changing the subject, she pointed at the tray on the large box.

“Whatcha bring?”

“I had the kitchen make you something.” He picked it up by the handles and showed her, one side of his mouth quirked up.

“You—you were going to bring me breakfast in bed?”

“An apology breakfast.” He beamed at her.

She eyed the neatly arranged tray. “An apology breakfast that includes a plate of bacon? That I don’t eat.”

“Oh,” he said sheepishly, “that’s for me.”

Ellie reached over and took a strip off the plate.

“Open,” she commanded.

He did, and she popped the bacon into his mouth. He snapped off a bite and grinned as he chewed.

“I want to make sure you are well-fed, Miss Ellie,” he said as he swallowed and opened once more like a hungry bird. She snorted a laugh and plopped the rest in his mouth. Her fingertips grazed the bottom of his lip, and his gaze turned dark. He placed the tray beside her, close but not touching, and drummed his finger on the box.

“Do you want your present?”

She glanced at the box and then up into his eyes, her eyebrows drawn together. “My present?”

“Open it,” he said, excited to give her something.

His eyes danced as she wiggled off the lid. Curiously, she leaned into the box. Pulling back, she looked at him in awe and reached in. Carefully, she lifted out a leather breastplate, custom-made to fit her. Then, leather skirting with long, finely tooled pieces attached to a belt to protect her waist. Next, a well-crafted, hand-tooled leather quiver with arrows, each fletching a beautiful feather, some all-white, others rich brown. Her mouth lay open as she reached in again and pulled out an expertly crafted bow made of horn and wood like the one she saw in the training room. This bow, though, was smaller, made to fit her size. Setting the armor and weapon aside, she pulled out a black dress, well-sewn and sturdy, with a full skirt and half sleeves. She gaped at Evander, momentarily speechless, as her hand caressed the craftsmanship before her.

“We thought—well, Maximus thought, and we agreed—that if you trained with us, you needed something to wear.”

“Max made me a dress and gave me armor and a weapon?”

He nodded. “We all did. The armor was Liam’s idea. Mine and Camulos were the arrows, quiver, and bow. Max the dress. After the mistake with yoga pants, no one wanted to feel your wrath,” he joked and winked at her.

A half-sob, half-laugh escaped her as she placed her hand over her mouth. She looked at Evander again, tears threatening to erupt.

“Do you like it?” he asked quietly, his hand finding his hair and scrubbing through the golden strands.

She nodded several times, her hand still on her mouth. “Yes. Yeah, I do.”

A warm feeling spread through her heart at the thought of them deciding something special for her. They meticulously designed each item, custom-made to fit her size and shape. Her men had thought of her.

“How on earth did you do this?” Her fingers danced over the tooled design of swords entangled in brambles, the same mark each warrior wore on their chest.

Smiling, he gave her a half-shrug. “It’s Olympus, Ellie.”

“I can’t believe you did this for me.”

“We all feel a little guilty for taking you from the human realm without at least letting you get an overnight bag.”

Placing the items carefully back in the box, she resisted throwing her arms around him and hugging him. And then running through this vast house, finding each member and hugging them, whether or not they liked it. It was incredibly touching. They had collectively chosen to lie, to protect her and Syren, to help her hone her skills, and now this. As far as kidnapping goes, she could do a lot worse than the kindness of these four men. She looked up at Evander and tilted her head. A thought occurred to her.

“You let me shoot apples off your head.”

He snorted a laugh and grabbed more bacon, leaning on the table beside her, keeping the box of kindness between them. “Yes. That was a little reckless, I’ll admit.”

“Is Liam right? Could I have killed you? I could technically send you to . . .?”

“The Shadow Realm.” He nodded. “Yes, you could. But I knew you wouldn’t. Just like on the ship, like the training room. You wouldn’t hurt me.”

She pursed her lips, lines forming on her forehead. “But I did hurt you.”

“True, but it was more of a warning.” He snapped off another piece of bacon and chewed. “Do you remember what I said?”

The events from that night were still fuzzy, and she hadn’t pieced everything together.

“I kept telling you I’m not afraid of you. Everyone has always been afraid of you, but I’m not. I wasn’t then, and I’m not now.”

“You should be.”

He grasped her chin between his fingers and forced her to look at him.

“No. I trust you. I am right here; I’m not leaving. I’m not afraid of you. I’m not afraid of the council either.” He rubbed his thumb against her lower lip.

“Evander,” she began and took a step back. “We can’t let whatever this is continue. The council sounds ominous.”

“They will have to make a decision.” He nodded and took a step towards her.

“We need to be practical.” Ellie found her feet moving a step towards him.

“Practical, right. This is about the book and finding the spell” He took another step.

“Whatever is between us, it can’t go on. Last night can’t happen again.” Another step.

“Right.”

“We need to just be friends, Evander.”

“Right, friends.”

Her eyes flicked to his mouth. She could feel those soft lips on her neck, surrounding her nipple, everywhere.

“Besides, I don’t know what I was thinking. I will be leaving in a few more days. Once this is over, I return to my life and the world I’m used to, and you stay here. This isn’t fair to you. I’m sorry, Evander.”

He bobbed his head as she spoke, and she couldn’t be sure if he was agreeing or arguing with her.

“I put you in a compromising position.”

“And I enjoyed it.”

She sucked in a breath as he stared. Reaching towards him, she replaced the lid on the box, his intense gaze following her every movement. She couldn’t be the reason some council did god knows what to him. No, she had to keep a level head. This wasn’t fair to him. If he gave in, he would lose his life, and she couldn’t be responsible for that.

No, she needed to be practical.

She hated being practical.