Chapter 6

ZALE

I leaned against the bar, surveying the room and seeing if I could work out which god was which just from the way they were appearing in front of me. It was harder said than done, especially when I had no idea who was in attendance or even which pantheons were represented.

Without meaning to, my gaze slipped back to Sama and the woman she was talking to. They seemed alike, not just in appearance, but in mannerisms as well, making me think that it was one of her sisters, though which one was going to remain a mystery unless she thought to introduce us.

"You could just go talk to her, you know."

I turned at the sound of a woman's voice to find Aphrodite taking a seat beside me.

"I don't know what you're talking about," I murmured, taking a sip from my drink and trying not to be intimidated by her. If I kept telling myself she was a normal woman and not the formidable goddess of legend, then I could just have a conversation.

She signalled to the bartender to bring her a drink. "You know, Sama said much the same thing," she mused. "I don't know what it is that makes people think they can lie to a love goddess, but they always do."

"I'm not lying."

She raised an eyebrow. "So if I told you that there's an eligible sea god here tonight who I want to introduce to Sama because they'd be the perfect match, you wouldn't feel jealous at all?"

Something churned within me in response to her words. "No."

"There you go again. There really is no use in lying, I've spent years dealing with people in love, I know how to spot it." She slid a glass over to me. "Sama's drink is empty, why don't you take this to her."

I eyed it warily.

Aphrodite chuckled. "It's just a drink. I can't magically make people fall in love. Or you can leave it there and I'll go find that sea god."

The words spurred me on and I reached out to take the glass.

"Thought as much." She turned to the bartender to get herself another drink, leaving me to either choose to listen to her advice, or to ignore it.

I supposed there was no real harm in taking the drink over, even if it was just so that Sama had one.

She turned just as I approached and a smile spread over her face, making her seem even more beautiful than usual.

"I brought you a drink," I said, feeling as if I'd lost all ability to talk to her properly.

"Thank you." She reached out to take it, her fingers brushing against mine as she did and leaving fire in the wake of her touch.

I met her gaze, the air feeling heavier between us. It was as if the rest of the world no longer existed, and the only thing I could possibly focus on was Sama.

The woman next to us cleared her throat. "Are you going to introduce me?"

Sama blinked a few times, clearly taken aback by the interruption. "Sorry," she mumbled. "This is Zale, he works for the seal sanctuary across the cove. And this is my sister, Thetis."

"Nice to meet you," I said, holding out my hand.

Thetis shook it while studying me intently. "The seal sanctuary?"

I nodded. "Everyone's very excited about Sama choosing us as her charity for tonight."

"It's a very deserving charity," Sama said, looking down and studying her drink.

"She does have a soft spot for seals," Thetis said, eyeing her sister with interest.

"And the seals have one for her, they're always happy to see her when she comes to the sanctuary," I said.

"Mmhmm." Thetis looked between us, an intrigued expression on her face. "You know, I think I see Eury waving at me. I'll be back." She didn't linger any longer, leaving me alone with Sama.

"I'm sorry about her," she said. "She's annoying in the way only a big sister can be."

I laughed. "I wouldn't know, I only have brothers."

"You're lucky." She took a sip of her drink. "How did you know what drink to get me?"

"Aphrodite gave it to me," I admitted. "And encouraged me to come over."

"Well for that, I'm grateful. There's a reason I live here, and it's not because I like to go to parties surrounded by rowdy gods."

A loud screech sounded and we both looked in the direction of the stage where a blond man with a mischievous grin was grabbing the microphone. "How about some karaoke?" he called out.

Sama groaned. "That's our cue to get out of here."

I raised an eyebrow. "The party includes karaoke?"

"Not if Aphie can help it, but Loki will likely find a way. And trust me, you don't want to hear him sing."

I looked back at the man on stage, trying to reconcile myself to the knowledge that he was a Norse god. I'd just about gotten used to the fact I was surrounded by Greek ones, it was strange to think there were representatives of many of the other pantheons here too.

"We could go for a walk on the beach?" I offered.

Her whole face lit up at the suggestion. "I'd like that."

I held out my arm to her and she took it, popping her half-full drink on the tray of a passing waiter. We made our way through the crowd and to the terrace doors that led down to the beach.

"Wait," Sama said as we got to the end of the wooden walkway.

I paused, hoping she wasn't about to tell me that she wanted to go back.

Instead, she bent down and pulled off her shoes, setting them down on the low wall between the hotel and the beach. "I want to feel the sand between my toes," she said.

"That does sound good." I untied my shoes and pulled off my socks, leaving them beside hers. Hopefully, no one would try and steal them while we were walking.

Sama let out a contented sigh as she stepped onto the sand, and I could see from the expression on her face that she was far happier out here than in the crowded party room.

I joined her, enjoying the way my feet sank into the warm sand. It felt like a strange juxtaposition to the fancy clothes we were wearing, but great for it.

She set off down the beach, a light wind lifting her hair and pushing her dress against her body, revealing the curves beneath in a way that I was trying not to think of as enticing.

"I love being on the beach at this time," she said.

"Your favourite time of the day?" I guessed.

"No. That's sunrise."

My heart constricted. "Sunrise?"

"Mmm. Sunrise is beautiful, and peaceful. The world is just waking up and different colours paint the sky."

"Is that why you stand on the terrace every morning?" I asked.

A smile twisted at the corners of her lips. "Yes. I like to watch the seals."

"Ah, the seals."

She turned her head as we walked, and it seemed like she wanted to say something else, but didn't.

Instead, she continued down the beach, leaving me only able to guess what she was thinking, even though I'd very much like to know.