Page 43 of Kuaket
“Because you don’t like being vulnerable.”
“And I avoid commitment. But it doesn’t look like I’ve done a good job at that here.”
“Probably because you assumed that you didn’t have to avoid anything. Until last night, I was part of a cult that wanted to destroy gods, that’s about as far from commitment as you can get.”
She let out a laugh. “So what you’re saying is that I feel like this because it didn’t matter if I felt like this anyway.”
“Exactly.”
She cocked her head to the side and seemed to contemplate something. “All right, that actually helps.” She took a deep breath. “I’m more than just not indifferent to you, Abrax. I-” She swallowed hard.
My heart constricted, filling me with the knowledge I’d been fighting, especially for the past few days, but if I was realistic with myself, it had been much longer. “I know how you feel.”
“I didn’t finish what I was saying.” She glanced away. “I don’t know if I can.”
“That’s okay,” I assured her. “We’ve got time.”
“I guess we do.”
“And I feel the same,” I whispered. “Even if neither of us can say it.”
I didn’t miss the relief that flitted over her face, only to be replaced an instant later by her normal confidence. “So, I’m guessing we’ve got about three hours until people come to check on us...”
“Just enough time to play a round of battleships,” I teased.
“Hmm, how about we skip straight to the winner’s reward.” She pulled me closer, leaning in until her lips were hovering close to mine.
“I think I’d be okay with that,” I murmured.
“Good.” She wrapped her arms around my neck and kissed me deeply.
Something about this kiss felt different than all the ones before, and it made me realise that the difference wasus. Or more accurately, it was the emotions we’d finally both given names to. This wasn’t some meaningless thing between us, it wasn’t even a friendly physical thing, it was so much more.
And now that I was free of the Sons of Seth, we could properly explore what that was, even if neither of us had been prepared for it.
EPILOGUE
Kuaket
The atmospherein DeLux Café was electric, which wasn’t a surprise considering it was a Wednesday night. I wasn’t even sure why we’d even chosen speed dating night in order to meet up, but I supposed it wasn’t too bad if everyone was here.
My brother waved me over to the table he was occupying with a few of the other gods we knew and I lifted my hand in response, ready to head over.
I sauntered through the crowd, only pausing when Denwen said hello. I flashed the dragon god a smile. “How are you doing?” I asked.
“Not bad, just here for speed dating. What about you?”
“Oh, not tonight.” Or any time soon given the way I felt around Abrax, but I didn’t add that part out loud. He didn’t need to know about my feelings.
Surprise flitted across the god’s face. “You’re not taking part in speed dating tonight? Don’t tell me even you’ve managed to find someone here?”
I glanced over to where Abrax was getting drinks at the bar. “I did.” And technically, I could even say that I’d met him at a speed dating event, though the circumstances surrounding that were more complicated than that considering that Abrax was here to try and trap a god. Thankfully, with his tattoos gone, there was no way for anyone to even guess that if they didn’t already know.
He whistled. “Now if there’s proof that this thing is working, then it’s standing right in front of me.”
“Stranger things have happened.”
“I’m not so sure about that,” he joked. “Anyway, I should get going because Idowant to meet someone. Have a great night.”