Chapter 10
“The baby’s here!”
Xev felt the color drain from his face as he heard the cry go up in the market where he was meeting with his brothers. Without being told, he knew the baby was Braith’s. It was the only birth they’d all been waiting for.
And dreading.
Braith had yet to disclose anything about the father. Which meant he had yet to breathe a word to anyone. Even Xev’s mother, who was furious over his excuses for not learning something he already knew.
Or, more to the point, disclosing what he knew.
The only thing that saved him was the fact that he was living with his father. No matter how much she wanted to, Azura didn’t dare breach those walls to drag Xev to her hell. Or send her demons to Jaden’s hall to fetch him.
All she could do now was shriek at him.
For the first time in his life, he had a modicum of peace, and for that he was eternally grateful to his father.
If only his father would free him completely from his mother’s clutches.
Jaden had refused. I don’t want to get caught up in those politics.
Bully for him that he had a choice. Xev was trapped, and he was tired of playing this game between them.
Not wanting to think about that, he held his goblet up to Shadow and Malphas. “To Braith and her son.”
“To Braith and her son,” they said in unison before clinking their goblets against his.
Shadow downed his in one gulp then laughed. “I have to say that I’m shocked Azura hasn’t killed you for not telling her who the baby’s father is. Respect.”
Malphas snorted in what might have been agreement, but with Mal, one could never really tell. “Here’s to grand stupidity on both our parts. I’m lucky Jaden hasn’t gutted me for not telling him, either.”
Xev reached to pour more ale from the wooden flagon on the table, only to realize it was empty. “Next round’s on me.”
He got up to get another flagon.
As he reached the bar, a much smaller person turned and ran straight into him. Normally, such a thing would have set his temper aflame.
However, the soft gasp caught his attention.
And when he looked down into a pair of celestial blue eyes, all thoughts of anger fled.
“Xev.”
His name on Myone’s lips always set fire to his soul. “Greetings, fair lady.”
Her cheeks turned bright red. “What are you doing here?”
“Meeting with my brothers. You?”
“Here, my lady.” The bartender handed her a bottle of wine.
“Thank you.” She took it, then tucked it into a basket she carried. “I’m running errands for Cam.”
Of course she was. Why else would she be in a place like this unless it was to serve her goddess?
The one thing Xev had learned over the last few months of training her had been the fact that she was rather boring.
As sick as it was, he liked that about her. Especially whenever she’d bring her lyre to practice. He loved to hear her play. Even though they were sweet, innocent songs, not the tawdry or bawdy songs he’d been exposed to in his mother’s court, he found them oddly entertaining.
Yeah, there was something seriously wrong with him that he found everything about her perfect. Even when it irritated him, he liked it.
He indicated the basket with a jerk of his chin. “I take it the wine’s for her?”
“To celebrate. At least, that’s what she claims.”
Xev forced himself not to react. Out of all his aunts, Cam was his least favorite. Even though she was a goddess of light, she was terribly judgmental. Maybe it came from the fact that she was the goddess of justice.
Or perhaps she just had an innate hatred for him, personally. Whatever it was, he wouldn’t shed a single tear to find her gone, except for the fact that it would hurt Myone, who was attached to the goddess she served.
“I don’t envy you your service to her.”
Myone was stunned by his dry words and the sincerity she saw in his eyes. He really didn’t like her mistress. “She’s kind and fair.”
“I guess she hides that side of her personality from me.” He ordered more ale from the bartender then turned back to her. “Are you excited about Braith’s child?”
Myone bit her lip at his unexpected question. “Honestly?”
He nodded.
“I’m petrified. Can you imagine someone so evil spawning a child? Just imagine what he’s going to be like. No doubt he’ll be even more repugnant than his mother.” The instant those words were out of her mouth, she cursed herself for speaking them.
After these past months of training together, she’d forgotten who Xev’s mother was. That he was a child born divided. Truly, he never showed her that side of himself. All he’d ever been was kind and gentle.
Instead of being offended, he laughed it off. “I don’t have to imagine it. I live that nightmare every day. Hopefully, Braith will be kinder to her child than she is to others.”
He took the flagon and started away.
Myone stopped him. “I’m so sorry, Xev. It was a thoughtless thing to say. Truly, I meant no offense to you.”
Kindness softened his gaze. “Don’t worry, Myone. In my world, that doesn’t even come close to offending me. Have you met my brothers? Their kindest greetings are harsher.”
She laughed at his charity. “I have, and I won’t be unkind about them, as I know you’re rather fond of their company.”
“Then I shall be unkind enough to them for both of us.” Xev smiled as she laughed again. The sound was so sweet and musical. He could listen to her laughter all day long.
But Shadow was already glaring at him and holding his hands up in irritation over his delay.
“And they are waiting for their drinks. It was nice running into you when you don’t have a sword in hand to kick my butt.”
“Again, sweet sir, you are far too kind about my inept abilities.” Inclining her head, she left him.
Xev wanted to follow after her, but he knew better. Cam would never welcome him into her home. She wasn’t known for tolerance. And, as noted, she really didn’t care for him, and she never would.
Sighing, he returned to their table with the flagon and set it down.
Don’t do it.
He knew better.
Sadly, he wasn’t listening to his common sense.
“I need to run an errand.”
“Want us to come?” Shadow asked him.
“I’m good.” Xev left them before they could protest or trail after him, or he could think better of this. This was one thing he needed to do alone.
He caught up to Myone in the marketplace, where she was buying cheese and wine for her goddess.
“Are you following me?” she asked in a teasing tone.
“If I was?”
She leaned in to whisper, “I’d tell you to be more discreet.”
That enticed him. “You’re not afraid?”
“You’ve had more than one chance to end my life, Lord Xev. Should I be afraid?”
“No,” he answered honestly. “You’re the only one I’d never hurt.”
“Dary—”
“I know, Myone,” he said, cutting her off. She was the only one who called him that, and he had no idea why it melted him when she used it, but it did. “Better than you do.” He wanted to touch her but didn’t dare.
If anyone saw them…
She looked around to make sure no one was too close. “I feel the same for you. We just have to be careful.”
He nodded. “I also wanted to let you know not to worry if I’m not at practice later.”
“What? Why?”
“I haven’t done something Azura wanted me to.”
She scowled at him. “Which is?”
“Give her the name of the father of Braith’s child.”
Eyes wide, she gasped. “Do you know it?”
“I’ve known it since before I met you.”
“And you haven’t told her?”
Xev shook his head. “I refuse to hurt Braith or her child. They don’t deserve my mother’s wrath.”
Myone choked on her tears. He was even sweeter than she’d imagined. He was protecting a goddess known for her malicious cruelty. One who wouldn’t have hesitated to attack him or give him up to his parents without a second thought.
And she was sure he wasn’t doing it for Braith’s sake. But to protect her innocent baby.
Myone knew the story of his birth, just as everyone did. The way his father had denounced him, and his mother had hunted him. It said a lot for him that he didn’t return that favor to another child, but rather risked his own life to safeguard a baby he didn’t know and that he had no vested interest in.
Just as his Inari mother had done with him.
And in that moment, Myone realized something.
She loved him.
He wasn’t the monster he thought himself to be or that others accused him of being. If he was, he’d hand over the name of the baby’s father and not think twice. He wouldn’t care what happened to either of them. He’d be more concerned with his own welfare.
Instead, he was willing to bleed for a goddess who’d never cared to protect him. A goddess who’d ignored his pain.
Just as in all these months, he’d been so careful not to harm her during their practices. So charming and sweet with her. Nothing like his mother.
Nothing like anyone else she knew.
She saw Xev. The real him that others refused to see.
“What will she do to you?”
He shrugged with a nonchalance she knew he couldn’t possibly feel. “I don’t know. But it won’t be pleasant. I’ll be in touch when I can.”
She took his hand and squeezed it. “Call me if you need me. I will come.”
There was a dark shadow in his eyes that frightened her. “I won’t risk you.”
“Call if you need me,” she repeated. She squeezed his hand one more time then left him.
Xev refused move for a full minute as he savored Myone’s lingering touch.
Not even with his mother screaming a summons in his head did he move. He just wanted to stay here and feel the lingering warmth of Myone’s hand on his skin.
But this couldn’t be avoided. It was what he got for leaving his father’s home. He should have known better. So long as he was under his father’s roof, she couldn’t summon him. Whenever he left, she had access to him.
Why did the baby have to be born now?
Sighing, he teleported to Azura’s throne room. He’d barely manifested there before she hurled him against the far wall with such force that he slammed into it sideways.
Ow.
“Where have you been?”
Pushing himself to his feet, he sighed as he faced her. “My father’s palace,” he lied.
Azura glared at him. “You know what I mean! Do you have that name?”
He rippled his wings, then rolled his shoulders, trying to alleviate some of the pain that continued to plague his back from her attack. “No one knows it.” Funny how he never minded lying to her. It didn’t bother him in the least.
She blasted him. “You failed me.”
The irony of that comment wasn’t lost on him. It actually made him laugh as he caught himself with his wings and hovered in the room.
Which made Azura even angrier. “What’s so funny?”
“Just thinking of how many times in my life my dear old mom has failed me.”
That did exactly what he expected—set her off into one of her more stellar tantrums, where she blasted him so fast and furiously, he couldn’t counter them all.
By the time it was over, Xev wished himself dead and never born.
It changed nothing.
He knew how much she hated him. It was entirely mutual. But at least this time, he had something to look forward to.
Myone.
All he had to do was survive this.