“Do you think the Gods are listening?” he asks, scratching his blond-stubbled jaw.
I shrug. “Do you think they’re not?”
“They’re listening to you, anyway,” Flynn says.
“One is.” Maybe two. Possibly three…
“Come on.” Wrapping his big hand around my elbow, Flynn tugs on my arm. “Let’s run so you can eat your spice cake tomorrow.”
Taking the long way, we jog back to the barracks and then go our separate ways. I visit Panotii with an apple, making him share since Kato, Flynn, and I skipped lunch while we were out in the woods. I brush Panotii until his chestnut coat shines and then sit on a barrel, stroking one of his enormous ears and stewing about dinner.
I use the women’s bathhouse again and spot Daphne and her two friends giving me the evil eye. The burn on her cheek is still red and puckered. I have no idea if she bothered Griffin about it, or if she’s even seen him. Or how much she might have seen of him.
My stomach hollows at the thought of them together. I know myself well, and I could list my own flaws until I pass out from lack of air. I’m not beyond jealousy, or spite, or completely illogical behavior, and seeing Daphne helps me decide—I’ll go to dinner at the castle.
Back in my room, I dress in the green gown and silently thank Jocasta for tucking a pair of high-heeled sandals under the foot of my bed. I can’t do anything elaborate with my hair without a maid, so I take simplicity to a new level and tie it at the nape of my neck with a simple bow. I probably look Kaia’s age, but I don’t really care.
Delicate sandals. A long, flowing dress. Gold shoulder clasps. A green ribbon.
This should feel comfortable. Familiar. Instead, it feels like the past is creeping up on me without giving me any choice.
Anxiety churns in my stomach as I knock on Flynn’s door. Kato is with him. They’re playing cards, and it smarts that I wasn’t invited.
Squaring my shoulders, I ask, “Do I look all right? I don’t have a mirror.”
They whistle enthusiastically, and I can’t help blushing.
“Pretty as a posy. Spin for us,” Flynn says.
I twirl, throwing them a saucy look over my shoulder.
“Come sit on my knee,” Kato says, patting his thigh. “So I can inspect.”
I laugh. “I’m not falling for that.”
Griffin erupts into the room, filling the entire doorway. “What are you doing in here?” He looks me up and down, his tone a mix of disgruntlement and accusation.
Heat floods me at the sight of him. Irritation overrides it. “I was having fun ten seconds ago. Now I’m annoyed.”
“Answer the question,” he grates out.
My hands land on my hips. “Having a wild orgy. You’re not invited.”
His eyes narrow dangerously. He turns to leave, and I know I’m supposed to follow.
“Wait!” I cry in mock alarm. “Where are my underclothes?”
“Gods, Cat!” Flynn visibly pales.
Kato barks a laugh.
Griffin spins back to me. His large hand lands on the nape of my neck with a firm grip, and a jolt of awareness rampages down my spine. I back up when he starts pulling but grab both sides of the doorframe on the way out, hanging on.
“See what I have to put up with?” I ask.
Flynn and Kato exchange a look before returning to their card game.
“Not helpful!” I grind out as Griffin drags me back to my room and tosses me inside.
“What about dinner?” I ask, rubbing my neck.
He closes the door and stalks in after me, caging me against the wall with a muscular arm on either side of my head. “Jocasta said she wasn’t sure.”
I shove his shoulders, which does nothing. “I didn’t dress like this for the refectory.”
His eyes flick down, taking in my appearance. “What were you doing with them?”
His blatant jealousy sends a pulse of heat through me that ends in a completely inappropriate place between my legs. “Talking. They’re my friends.”
“Your team?”
“Yes! Isn’t that what you want?”
An expression I can’t read crosses his face. “Does that mean you’ll stay with us if I release you from your vow?”
My heart thumps an awkward beat. I don’t answer. I don’t know.
He leans toward me, and suddenly all I can think about is his height, his strength, his scent. I go impossibly still, afraid to move because I know I’ll step closer.
“I thought about you all day,” he gruffly admits. “Now, seeing you like this…” He inhales between parted lips, his gaze turning ravenous as it drops to the exposed hollow between my breasts. When he exhales, his breath shudders on the way out.