Chapter 7

CHAPTER SEVEN

Gwen entered the tent ahead of him and started to disrobe when he stopped her. “Allow me.” Rather than undressing her as he wanted, he used his power to change her dress into a gown for sleeping in. She looked down at herself.

“You prefer this?”

He might have changed her clothing, but the night dress was sheer and allowed him to see what it was he craved. It was going to be a long night. “Tonight, we will simply sleep. You first. I will sleep closer to the door.”

She didn’t argue but crawled into bed and pulled the cover over her. The nights were chilly here and the thin blanket was a joke against it. He flopped down beside her, circled his arm around her, and tucked her slight frame against him. “For warmth.”

He thought about war and bloodshed to help stave off his erection. Something was wrong with this entire situation and not just the fact that both of them were here on this prison world. Was it a coincidence that the same female he had spotted and found himself attracted to in the mortal world was here now?

He thought not. Khedeus had rooted in his head and found the memory of Gwen. Discovered the attraction and used it in his favor. Then there was his mother. That woman meddled in every aspect of his life, and it would be just like her to make him crave this female, but what made little sense was the why. Diara was more fitting of his station, his mother would say. So, why this guardian? Was there something about her that was special? However, for his mother to be behind this would mean that she was likely a part of his being here. Again, what would be the purpose? A way to force him into a bond? His mother had to know that Diara was anything but faithful and that any grandchildren would likely not be of his seed. Perhaps his mother had changed her mind, but then she would simply seek out another goddess. Was it possible she wasn’t involved at all and the fact he wanted this female like no other was merely a coincidence?

His muscles tightened as another realization smacked him square between the eyes. Diara probably told his mother of his plans to go to the mortal realm. If the story were true about his real parents, the goddess of destruction would want to stop him from learning anymore. There was a very real possibility that his mother, Diara, and this Gwen were behind this charade. After all, Ra had issued him a warning about a female, and funny how one just happened to drop in on him.

But one will be your salvation. Perhaps Gwen was his salvation. Someone to keep him company until he was set free. There was nothing to be done right now, so he relaxed to the scent of Gwen. She reminded him of sun, sand, and crashing waves. Ever since she had come to this desolate place, the air smelled of the ocean’s breeze and now it lulled him to sleep.

Gwen woke to someone shaking her at the crack-ass of fucking dawn and thrilled she was not. Nothing about this situation made her happy. Well, except for snuggling next to Kian. Then again, that also left her desire on a heat scale of a ghost pepper which made her cranky.

“Come on. You have enough time to eat, then we must get to work,” a gruff, sexy voice said.

She finally opened her eyes. “Or what? Have you tested the theory of what will happen if you don’t do this god’s bidding?”

“I have not, but I’ve learned not to test a god. Apparently, you have learned no such lesson.” The tone of his voice said he was in no better mood than her.

“Fine,” she sighed and tossed off her covers. Rubbing sleep from her eyes, she followed Kian from the tent, her clothes changing as they walked, which was a pretty damn handy trick.

Outside, the table held a tray full of bananas, several small quiches, and bread. “No coffee?”

“I don’t know what this coffee is you speak of.” Kian grabbed a quiche and took a bite.

“Seriously? You are missing out and I am not a happy camper at all if I don’t get my coffee.” Or laid. She thought as she grabbed a banana and pulled back the peel.

His brow jacked up. “I don’t even know how to respond to that.”

Crossing her arms, she glared. “Well, you are a god, can’t you conjure me some coffee? Iced would be perfect in this hothouse from hell.”

“It is not I who provides this nourishment. Take it up with your captor.”

Rather than respond, she ate in silence. There was no use in arguing with him over something neither of them had control over. Best to pick your battles, her brother had always taught her, and this wasn’t one of them. For the next few minutes, they continued in silence until he shoved the food aside and stood.

“Your attire won’t do.”

Before she could utter a word, gone was the soft pretty dress and jewelry and in its place was a simple linen dress that covered her shoulders and fell to her ankles. She looked down at herself, then back at him. “Why the change?”

Rather than answer her, he simply said. “We need to go.”

“Fine.” She stood, not willing to argue over clothing. “Where are we going, exactly?”

“To the work site. We need to mix the limestone and pour it into molds.” He held out his hand. “I will flash us there and then I will show you what needs to be done.”

She gave a nod then placed her hand in his, noting he had callouses which were not normal for a god or demigod. Did he have them before, or were they from the time he’d spent here? While she contemplated the thought, he flashed them, and they appeared in an expansive area filled with buckets and a large outcrop of soft limestone.

“What do we do with this?”

“We will mix the limestone with water and a few other materials to form a mud which we then have to take over there.” He pointed to the south, where she spotted several large blocks already laid out. “There we pour it into the mold to form the large stones.”

“And we can flash there, I assume?”

“Yes, but magic doesn’t work on the actual labor of mixing and pouring.”

“Sounds dreadful.” She decided now was as good a time as any to tell him what she knew about his parents. “Do you know who you really are?”

He looked up from his work, where he was filling a bucket of limestone. “What a ridiculous question. I am Kian, son of the goddess of destruction.”

She offered a smile. “Not really. You are the son of Argathos, the god of visions, and his murdered mortal wife, Brianna.”

His gaze narrowed, and she sensed his heart rate quicken as he looked around, as if he expected someone to be lurking nearby. “What the hell are you talking about? Where did you hear such ridiculous information?”

“Straight from your father. He asked me to locate you, although this wasn’t the way I expected to do it.” She took a step closer. “Look. Your father did not know you were still alive. It’s a long story, but I fear whoever was behind this will have an exorbitant price put on their head. All of your uncles are now searching for you, and they are not gods anyone should mess with.”

He stared at her for several seconds as if he were gauging whether or not to believe her. “Why would anyone fear these gods? My mother is a queen and destruction is what she excels at.”

Gwen laughed. “You have never met your true family. Your father is the kindest of them all and probably the most level-headed, but when he felt your presence… Well, I have never seen him so angry. Your uncle Hades is the god of the Underworld and sinister might as well be his middle name. Then there is Pyros. We call him Aidyn, but that’s another story. Anyway, he is the Phoenix god newly reborn and holds the only weapon that can kill anyone. Yes, even a god.” Her smile widened. “And then there’s Zarek. He’s the king and when I say king, I mean of all gods and immortals. There are several others and their mates, but those four are your blood-born family.”

“You say my mother was murdered?”

She nodded, glad he was asking questions. “Yes. There was a war many centuries ago because your father fell in love with and married a mortal. She was pregnant at the time and your father thought you lost when she died. However, he now suspects someone switched you with another and the fetus he sent to the afterlife with your mother was an innocent child.”

“What proof do you have?”

“I have nothing other than you are a spitting image of your father. Unfortunately, since I was basically forced here, I never got the chance to speak to Argathos again. My brother is probably in a panic since I heard him yelling as I was being sucked away. Do you think anyone will be able to find us?”

“Hard to say. Perhaps if this Zarek is a true king, then he might find us, but I wouldn’t count on it.” He dumped his buckets and began adding water to make the mud. “We had best get working or there may be hell to pay.”

She crossed her arms. “Why the hell do we need to build a temple?”

“Because gods have egos?”

“Well, I demand to speak to Khedeus.”

He cocked a brow. “Good luck with that.”

She wasn’t one to back down, so looked to the sky and shouted. “Khedeus! I demand you show yourself as it is my right to face my jailor.” She waited, tapping a sandaled foot on the ground that sent dust into the air. Swiping the back of her hand across her forehead to wipe away the sweat, she was ready to call again when the god poofed himself in front of her.

“You are a spitfire. Most would not dare make demands of me, but I will humor you as I am curious.”

She stared at the tall god with hair a dark auburn which made his green eyes even more striking. Like most gods, he was exceptionally handsome, with well-defined muscles and an attitude to match.

“I demand to know why I am here?”

“A valkyrie filed charges against you.”

“And you buy her bullshit?” she scoffed. “I’m a guardian and was simply doing my job. She was the one who wished for a fight.” Well, Gwen hadn’t been opposed herself, but this was ridiculous. “I demand to speak to Zarek.”

Khedeus’s eyes swirled with anger as he lifted his square chin, widened his stance, and crossed his arms over his massive chest. “Zarek? I know that name, but I do not bend to his will or yours. If you are a servant of his, then all the more reason for you to be here.” He cast his gaze to Kian. “You think her helping you build my temple is sufficient punishment?”

“Do not worry, she is to be my concubine.”

She looked between the asshole and Kian.

“At least you have dressed her as a slave should be, but do not take too long to make your claim.” His eyes glowed like molten silver. “I might rather enjoy having her chained to my bed.”

Gwen opened her mouth to voice her disdain, but never got the chance as he vanished. “Well, he’s a complete asshole.”

“You’ll get no argument from me on that one.” He sighed and went back to work. “Tonight, we must consummate this relationship, for I fear waiting will only bring his wrath down on you.”

How ironic that she was to be the concubine to the man who was fated as her mate. Her body heated at the thought, but her mind slammed on the brakes, not loving how this was going to play out. Did she tell him they were fated?

“I truly am sorry about this, but I must be the better choice than what he would do to you.” His gaze softened. “I swear to treat you with the respect you deserve.”

She forced a smile. It wasn’t that she didn’t want him, just not this way. “Yes, I would much rather be your concubine than be forced to sleep with that twat-fuck of a god.”