I sit up, rubbing my face and brushing hair out of my eyes. “Get out of here. Shoo! Before everyone thinks I’m sleeping with you two as well.”
Flynn frowns, making his forehead wrinkle. His eyes narrow ominously. “What are you talking about?”
“Apparently, the women soldiers think I made Beta Team in exchange for being Griffin’s personal whore.”
Both their faces blank with shock, then Kato’s lips draw back in a snarl. “What daughter of a Cyclops said that?” he demands.
The protective fury in his voice goes a long way toward making me feel better. “I don’t know names,” I lie. I’ll handle Daphne on my own.
“When you do, you let me know,” he growls fiercely.
“So you can do what?” He’s not the type for cold-blooded murder. Despite Mother’s calculated efforts, even I’m not the type for cold-blooded murder.
Kato scowls, his blue eyes shadowed and hard. “I don’t know. Something.”
I laugh, the sound chasing away the past.
“I know,” Flynn says, pounding his right fist into his left palm and looking very mean.
I roll my eyes. I don’t believe for a second either of them would beat up a woman over a few insults. “It’s nothing I can’t handle. I killed a Dragon, remember?”
“Cerberus killed the Dragon,” Flynn corrects.
“But I had Cerberus. It’s all the same in the end.”
He shakes his head, his auburn hair loose and wild again. “You’re comparing grapes and olives. Sometimes they look alike, but they’re really not.”
I snort. “Thank you, O Wise One. I’m anxiously awaiting your next lesson.”
“I’ll bet you are.” Flynn ruffles my hair. “Sleep better now.”
Kato pats my head.
“I’m not a bloody dog!” I mutter, slapping at his hands.
After they’re gone, I light a lamp in my windowless room and stare at the shadows flickering on the wall, not willing to close my eyes again.
*
I have no idea what I’m supposed to do with myself the next morning, but I’m bored and hungry, so I head for the refectory as soon as I hear the barracks stirring, looking around for Kato and Flynn. They wave me over, and I sit with them, a plate of fruit and a buttered roll in my hands.
Kato unfolds a napkin and hands me a spice cake. “Cook likes me,” he says, brushing away the crumbs sticking to his fingers.
I’ll bet she does. My mouth instantly starts watering. “I love these!”
Kato grins, making most of the women in the refectory stop talking and sigh. “One every morning for Beta Team,” he says, completely unaware of his effect on the surrounding tables.
I groan, ignoring the dirty looks coming my way just for being next to him. “I can’t. I won’t fit into my pants.”
“Those leather ones from the circus?” Flynn chuckles. “Griffin couldn’t take his eyes off your ass.”
I choke on what’s left of my spice cake, and Flynn pounds me on the back. “What are we doing today?” I croak, my face absurdly hot.
Kato shrugs, leaning back in his chair. Feminine eyes follow his every move. “Griffin and Carver will be busy going over whatever happened while we were gone, and any messages they received. I doubt we’ll see them.”
A ridiculous and rather terrifying amount of disappointment pangs through me. Was I really looking forward to seeing a certain warlord turned royal that much?
“We could set up knife throwing,” Flynn suggests.
I nod. “The Gods know you two need the practice. And I’m always happiest with a knife in my hand.”
We finish breakfast in quiet conversation and then agree to meet in front of the Athena statue in one hour. Back in my room, I sort through my meager belongings, putting things away. There’s not much left between all the blood and fire of late. I’m just slipping my knives into my rather charred belt when there’s a tap on the door. I draw a blade before cracking it open.
Jocasta looks at me and then at my knife. I stick it in my belt, and she extends her arms, holding out an enormous pile of dresses. “Griffin said he promised to take you shopping, but I know he won’t have time. These were in the castle. I think they’re about your size.”
Surprised by her thoughtfulness, I push the door open wider. “Thank you.”
“Your room is very small,” she says, stepping inside. “You should live in the castle.”
“I haven’t been invited,” I lie.