The Struggle(66)
“Wow.” Her eyes were wide. “What else happened?”
“Well he left, and unbeknownst to us, we’d been spied upon. Mother had eyes and ears everywhere. She was none too pleased about all of it. She sent me to the Covenant in Britain the next day. I never saw him again.”
Josie slowly shook her head. “Do you know if he’s still around here? If—”
“He’s dead. Died protecting my heartless bitch of a mother. How cruel is that?”
“Oh my God,” she whispered, squeezing my hand. “Seth—”
“Come.” I tugged on her hand, cutting her off as I looked away from the growing pity in her beautiful blue eyes. “There’s something I want to show you.”
She hesitated a moment, but then let me lead her through the maze of blooming flowers. She sucked in a soft breath as we neared the edge of the courtyard and saw the sweeping marble archways. Walking out from under them, I knew the moment she saw the temple.
“Holy moly,” Josie whispered, stopping abruptly.
The temple was quite a sight, all polished marble columns and smooth stone. Large titanium braziers burned at the entrance of the closed doors. Several priests and priestesses stood outside, their amber-colored clothing billowing in the breeze. They all moved in unison, six of them. Three males and three females dropped to their knees and bowed until their foreheads nearly touched the floor.
Dropping my hand, Josie stepped forward and then stopped again. “This is your temple?”
“Yep.”
“And those are some of your priests and priestesses?”
“Double yep.”
Josie lifted her hands wordlessly. Sun glinted off her hair, and I knew she had no idea that she looked like a goddess standing before the temple. Several moments passed. “I don’t even know what to say. Have you gone in there?”
If she asked to go inside, I would for her, but only for her. “I haven’t. Do you want to?”
Josie was silent for a moment and then she turned to me. “Not yet.” Walking back to where I stood, she glanced over her shoulder. “It’s just a little too weird for me right now.”
Relieved, I chuckled. “You and me both.”
“I’m surprised you’re not reveling in all of this.”
“I don’t need this—any of this,” I admitted, voice low. Her gaze swung to mine. “I just . . .”
“What?”
I stepped into her, crowding her space when I knew I probably shouldn’t, but I was unable to help myself. “I only need you, Josie.”
Her sharp inhale echoed in my ears.
Heat invaded my cheeks. Shit. Was I blushing? I cursed under my breath. I wasn’t ashamed to admit what I did. It was the damn truth, but I really didn’t need an audience.
Aware that the golden guards by the doors were within hearing distance, I took her hand once more and walked her around the temple, out to the cliffs that overlooked the glistening sea. Neither of us spoke for several moments as she took in the view.
“It’s really beautiful here, Seth.” She gazed out over the ocean, focusing on the white sails off in the distance. “I know this place doesn’t have the best memories for you, but it’s stunning—the house, the island, and even the weird temple.”
I laughed at the last part. “Yeah. It is beautiful. Even more so now.”
She glanced up at me and gave a slight smile. “You’re full of charm today.”
“Just speaking the truth,” I replied. “You getting hungry?”
She nodded. “I’m always hungry.”
“Glad to see your appetite is back.”
“I don’t think anything could permanently affect my appetite.”
“We can head back. Seems like Alex and Aiden are making breakfast.” The wind was stronger here, tossing her hair across her face. I caught the strands, smoothing them back. “If we make it in time, we can steal their food.”
Josie’s laugh was hoarse, but it was the most amazing sound to hear. I stared at her a moment and then started to head back but stopped. “Can I . . . can I ask you something?”
Her hand was still in my other one. “Yeah.”
My heart started thundering in my chest, and I knew this question could wait. It should wait, but the idea of going another minute or hour not knowing was going to drive me crazy.
So I took a deep breath and opened myself up in a way I’d never done before. “Do you still love me?”
Chapter 21
Josie
Stark vulnerability churned in Seth’s amber eyes. I couldn’t believe he was asking that kind of question—that he even thought he needed to. A tiny part of me wanted to punch him—punch him with love, of course.