Page 85 of Dark Destiny: The Fates' Bargain

"Boring." Mirumah sat back down.

The gathering dissolved into leave-taking after that, goodbyes, embraces, and promises of meeting again soon.

When it was Yaaf's turn to say goodbye to the goddess, he inclined his head. "Thank you for the invitation, and for everything else you arranged today." He let the words carry their second meaning, and her eyes glinted, acknowledging receipt.

"You are most welcome. I enjoyed this very much, and I'm already planning the next gathering."

"I'm sure everyone would love a repeat, but may I ask a favor?"

Areana looked surprised. "Of course. As long as it is within my power to provide it. After all, I'm a guest here just like the rest of you, and I'm limited in what I can do."

"Can you please invite the scientists and their partners? I feel bad about them being the only island escapees not included."

"I considered it." Areana folded her hands. "But most of the enclosure women speak no English, and I wanted the mothers to be comfortable in their own tongue. One human was manageable, but four additional guests needing translation would've made everything feel awkward."

"I understand, and I'll take it upon myself to take care of them. I'll translate for them."

Areana looked at him for a moment, and then she smiled with a glint of mischief in her eyes. "That's a generous offer, but I suspect that next time you'll be even busier with your lady."

Heat climbed up Yaaf's neck and into his cheeks.

He felt it happening, and the absurdity of it made it worse. He was a killer. He'd terminated immortal warriors with his bare hands, and he was blushing because the goddess had acknowledged what was happening between him and Sullha? Because she'd called Sullha his lady?

"I'm sure I can find time for both." He leveled his gaze at her. "I'm very good at multitasking."

She laughed. "I bet you are."

The elevator could only take so many at a time, so the goodbyes stretched out. When Sullha's turn came, she stood in front of him with Tomek's backpack on her shoulder and her mother waiting by the elevator doors, and she smiled at him, but it had a wall behind it.

"I'll call you tonight," she said.

"I'll be waiting." He took her hand, and she let him.

He looked into her eyes and searched them with nothing but his familiarity with her and her expressions. He did not reach into her mind for answers.

She squeezed his fingers once and let go.

"Bye, Yaaf." Tomek waved at him through the closing elevator doors.

It took two trips for all the ladies to go down to the parking garage, where the Odus were waiting with the van.

The Eight rode down with Alfie last.

The gym?Ravsoh proposed as they exited on the dungeon level.

"Not me," Yaaf said aloud. "I'm not in the mood."

The others didn't comment or even look at him, letting him stew in his own misery without trying to contain it this time.

They were busy containing Bardov's guilt.

It's not your fault, Yaaf sent.There are worse crimes than feeling happy.

He peeled off at the fourth door and walked into his room that still smelled faintly of Sullha.

He sat on the couch, on his side of it, and looked at the empty cushion beside him, and then he clicked the television on and stared at it without seeing what was on the screen. The noise helped, filling the space between his ears and giving the seven other currents in his head something to wash against.

He needed that this afternoon. He loved them, and he owed them his sanity and his life, but he didn't want to hear a single one of them right now.