Total pages in book: 169
Estimated words: 161535 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 808(@200wpm)___ 646(@250wpm)___ 538(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 161535 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 808(@200wpm)___ 646(@250wpm)___ 538(@300wpm)
I flinch, because that stings. Is that what’s happening? Is that why he never pursues a relationship with me? Never follows up after a kiss?
Because he’s not attracted?
I know he finds mortal foods disgusting. What must he think of mortal…me?
Shaking my head, I put my finger up again, indicating he needs to wait, and grab my cloak from the peg by the door. I race outside, looking frantically for the monk. Something weird has happened to Kalos and I’m freaking out. My heart pounds as I head to the goat pen, searching for a familiar bald pate. “Omos?”
The monk’s head pops up from the herd of goats. “Just milking. What do you need, Elsie?”
I point back into the monastery, clutching the cloak closed with my other hand so Omos doesn’t see my pretty nipples. “Something’s wrong with Kalos!”
The expression on his face turns uncomfortable. “Ah, yes, I had noticed a change in his disposition this morning.”
I race to his side, frantic. “Is he okay? What do we do? How do we fix it?”
Omos avoids eye contact. “If I were to speculate, I would say that yet another one of his Aspects has been destroyed.”
Of course. I put my hand over my face, stifling a groan. It all makes sense now…and I can just guess which particular Aspect this is. Kalos is horny because he’s been taken over by Hedonism. His attraction to me is not real.
I don’t know if I’m crushed or relieved or horrified. Can I be a mix of all three? “What do we do?”
The monk picks up his milking bucket and gives me a puzzled look. “Do? What is there to do?”
“But…”
“I am not your father, my dear. You are an adult. You can choose to be with him if you see fit. You will find no judgment from me.”
That…that’s not what I’m asking. My face feels scalding hot. “So…what? We just wait this out and hope he goes back to normal?”
“If you like.”
“How long will that take?”
“I am as new to this as you are, Elsie. I will read up when the chores are done, though.”
Frustrated, I cross my arms over my chest and stare at the walls of the monastery. I’m not going to be able to get anything done today. Not with Kalos being…cuddly. Lusty.
And me being attracted to it.
Perhaps that’s the part that insults me the most—that it’s one sided. That he’ll flirt and snuggle and make it obvious that he wants to do more…but it’s only because of what’s happened. It was never his decision in the first place.
I head back inside, wary. Kalos sits in bed, holding my pillow against his front as if it’s a lover. He smiles when I enter and pats the blankets in welcome.
I drag a wooden stool over and park it a few feet away from the bed. “We need to talk.”
“Talk,” he purrs. “I’m listening.”
Uh huh. This feels a bit like a trap of some kind. I clasp my hands in my lap and put on my best “serious business” expression. I’m not sure how he’s going to take the news, but I hope it doesn’t upset him too much. “I think one of your Aspects has died.”
He lifts one shoulder in the most careless shrug. “I noticed.”
That takes me aback. “You knew?”
“For the first time since I arrived on this hellish mortal landscape, I am not filled with yawning despair and fatigue. Instead, I am now randy and full of despair. It’s an improvement.” He gives me a dazzling smile.
Me, I just feel like the biggest ass in the world. Apathy must truly be the worst of the curses to have, and here I am lecturing him that he’s been a little overly randy this morning. “I’m sorry every day is so difficult for you. I wish I could help.”
“You do help. In fact, you’re the only bright spot.”
“You’re just saying that.”
He cocks one silvery eyebrow. “Am I? Or is it just easier to say now? That doesn’t make it untrue. Just…easier.”
Kalos gives me a wolfish grin that I don’t entirely trust. I’m not sure what to think of this and his new attitude. Part of me loves that he’s feeling better than he usually does, and part of me is sad for him because what a fucking nightmare the last few months must have been. But I worry that things are getting a little more drastic. If two of his Aspects are gone, only one other one remains. If Hedonism and Arrogance are gone, Lies is bound to come after us. “So…what now? What do we do?”
He looks me up and down with slow, thorough pleasure. “I nibble on all your pretty parts until you scream.”
My face floods with heat. “I didn’t mean sex! I meant—”
“I don’t see why not. Are you saving yourself for someone? I can assure you that I am not.”