Cruel Seduction (Dark Olympus, #5) (70)

His lips quirk. Not quite a smile, but on him, it’s practically bursting into laughter. “A mutual benefit. You’re much more agreeable when you’re coming. I only thought about strangling you once last night. Twice at most.”

“Theseus.” Pandora whips him with a dish towel, the snap making me jump. She glares. “What’s wrong with you? Don’t say shit like that.”

Now’s the time to drive a chasm between them, to tell her that he’s said much worse to me, has actively threatened me. Pandora wouldn’t be here if she didn’t care about me, and she might have a much longer relationship with him, but the fault lines are right there and ready to exploit.

Except I…don’t.

Instead, I sit there and listen to them casually snipe at each other in a way that speaks to a very long history. The rhythm of their conversation has grooves of retread topics, the same way a river carves out a canyon. The words might be sharp, but fondness permeates every syllable.

This can’t last. There are too many obstacles in front of us. But I almost wish I was wrong about our little foursome’s inevitable collapse.

“Here.” Adonis sets a mug of coffee in front of me and takes the seat on my left.

“Thank you.” I wrap my hands around it, letting the heat steal through the ceramic and warm my palms.

He leans his elbows on the counter and turns his head to look at me. “Last night…”

“Yeah.” It changed everything and nothing. I’m still married to Hephaestus. I still love Adonis. We’re still diametrically opposed on multiple different levels. Maybe the three of us worked last night, but that doesn’t mean we could ever work in the long term.

Still, I can’t not say what I’m feeling right now. “Thank you. For everything. I know this wasn’t easy for you.”

He gives a ghost of his normal happy smile. “I enjoyed last night. I’m not happy that you’re in danger, but it was cathartic.”

“Cathartic.” A strange word, but it fits. I bump my shoulder against his. “That’s a new one.”

“With you? Always a surprise.”

Pandora spins around and places a plate in front of me. The omelet looks like something I’d order at a restaurant. I raise my brows. “This is impressive.”

“Yes, well, he can’t cook.” She jerks her thumb at Hephaestus. “And I had plenty of free time while Minos had his children, foster and otherwise, dancing to his tune. His cook, Picus, was fond of me and taught me what he knew.” Her smile dims. “I hope he’s doing okay without us there to feed.”

“I’m sure he’s fine,” Hephaestus rumbles. “Minos sent him to another household to stay busy.”

She gives him a sharp look. “That’s the first I’m hearing of it.”

Adonis clears his throat. When Pandora looks at him, he gives her his best charming smile. I’m faintly amused to see her blink against the force of it. She shakes her head. “Hello again, Adonis. You would be as handsome in the morning when you’ve just rolled out of bed as you are when you’re dressed to the nines. Glad to see you’ve been well in the weeks since I’ve seen you. I’m assuming you have a request?”

“If I can impose on you to make another plate, I would be endlessly grateful and forever in your debt.”

She laughs softly. “No need for the theatrics. I’m happy to cook for you.” She slants a glance at Hephaestus. “All of you.”

“What he said. Endlessly grateful.” On my husband’s lips, the words sound almost like a threat.

“Right. Sure.” Pandora rolls her eyes. “Sit down and stop lurking. It’s distracting.”

“I’m good at lurking.” He winks and ambles around the island to take the stool on Adonis’s other side.

I don’t know what to do with this side of Hephaestus. I’ve seen him dangerous and furious and vicious. But in the last twenty-four hours, I’ve also seen him gentle and playful and dominating in a really sexy way. He was borderline cruel last night, but I can’t deny that his motivations were pure. Or close enough to pure to count.

It complicates things in a way I’m not comfortable with. Hating him was so much easier before he took care with my body…and then my heart. Before I saw the tenderness in the way he touched Adonis and the comfortable amusement inherent in his interactions with Pandora.

I drink my coffee and let the moment wash over me. Pandora teasing Hephaestus. Adonis slipping in a comment here and there, his attitude warming as his coffee cup empties.

It’s…nice.

It makes me want to stay here in this strange little world forever. I can’t, though. I need to get ready, get my head on straight, and go off to the war meeting with my brother.

I turn to Adonis. “I have to go.”

“I know.” He squeezes my knee and lifts his voice. “Dinner tonight.”

It’s not a question, but I still find myself shifting sideways to look at my husband. He’s more relaxed than I’ve ever seen him and he nods easily. “Sure, dinner.”

Adonis glances at Pandora. Her brows wing up in response. “I get the feeling the three of you will forget to eat if I’m not around. I’ll be here.”

I want you here for more than food.