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)
“Of course you do,” he soothes. “I’m a god, and I’m quite handsome. It’s a natural scenario.”
Yup. Arrogance is definitely still kicking around. “Okay, well, falling in love with a god is not a natural scenario for me. I don’t want to get more attached to you than I already am.”
That makes him pause. “Why not?”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean just that. Why not?” He traces one of the bluish veins on the inside of my wrist, as if my skin fascinates him. “We are already bound together for the rest of your life. Why not get attached to me?”
Because I’m going to die? There’s no greater separation than death.
Remembering that all of this is going to culminate in my death makes me pause. I keep forgetting that there’s no “after” Kalos. Someone’s going to come after me and try to kill me, and if they succeed, well, that’s it. If they fail, this Kalos—Apathy Kalos—will be the only Aspect left. Does that mean the gods here will let me keep on with my life even after we’re down to one Kalos? Retire me to a little cottage somewhere to live out the rest of my days?
Something inside me says no.
At my silence, Kalos studies my face. His gaze drifts over to my ear and he reaches for the small purple flower, twirling it between his fingers. “Bergamot. Good for inflammation.”
I eye him with a bit of surprise. “You know a lot about plants?”
“Of course. Who do you think gives them their medicinal properties?” His mouth curves with amusement. “Anali prides herself on being the goddess of good health, but do you think she lifts a finger to help them towards such a goal? Of course not. You only get her blessings when you don’t need them. She’s useless. At least I provide them with herbs and medicine.”
“That’s rather thoughtful of you.”
He leans in. “I get a kick out of watching the mortals chew on plants to see what they do.”
I should have guessed that. “You could be using that ability to help people.”
“I could. I just don’t care to.” He shrugs and hands the flower back.
And there lies the problem. He’s got the power to do something, but he won’t. I can’t even be upset over it, because I know how much his Apathy affects him. If I want to make changes, I’m the one that must do it. I take the flower back, studying the delicate petals. If the people in town had a visual aid of some kind…pressed flowers, maybe? But no, a dried-up plant looks a lot like any other dried-up weed. I’d have to have amazing skill at preserving the flowers between the pages, and I suspect it’s harder than it looks. Plus, flowers can slide out of books, and the people still can’t read.
But what if they didn’t have to read? I eye the tiny flower. With a little concentration, I could probably draw it. I can see what paints that Omos’s illustrator friend left behind and color it. How to get them to realize what it’s good for, though? I think about the warning signs back home posted in cafeterias, or even on bathroom walls. They use stylized figures. Wavy lines can indicate things. Arrows. Angry lines coming out of someone’s head could indicate a headache, and I could show pictures of how to prepare the flower, or a tea…
It’s not perfect, but it could work.
I tuck the flower behind Kalos’s ear and notice that his eyes glaze over with pleasure when my fingers skate along his skin. “I have a favor to ask.”
He closes his eyes, leaning into my caress. “Keep touching me and the answer is yes.”
“I want to stay here for a while and assist the village. Teach them how to heal themselves. Make a book to educate them on what they can use for medicine.” I run my finger along the curve of his ear. “What do you think?”
“What’s in it for me?”
“A kiss,” I decide, since that’s something I know he’ll agree to. It’s also something that makes my insides flutter with excitement.
He arches a silver brow at me. “Just one?”
“How many do you want to bargain for?” His response makes me breathless.
Kalos considers for a moment, then takes my hand in his again. He touches the tip of each finger, as if considering. “Five.”
“Just five?” I joke.
He lifts my hand and nips my fingertip. “As our first bargain, aye.”
The way he says it leaves no doubt in my mind that this would be the first of many bargains. Instead of annoying me, I’m looking forward to it. “When do you want your first kiss?”
“Well, if I said right now, I’d be a glutton, wouldn’t I?” He nips at my fingertip again, the smile playing on his lips. “I’ll just surprise you, how’s that?”