Page 96 of Crimson Skies

“I should find someone to go explore some bushes with too,”she muttered. “Now, where is that demon?” Her gaze alighted on Izaran where he stood chatting with Bostrof and Lilaia in the gardens, Phebei looking like a little princess in her mother’s arms. Gold flashed in the Naiad’s pupils. “There he is.”

She made for the Lucifugous commander.

“So, she likes them big and brutish, huh?” Hesperia mused while everyone stared after Daphne.

Ladon clung to her shoulder in his lizard form, too busy licking the ice-cream cone his mother was holding up for him to pay them any attention. His scales were covered by a handsome, custom-made suit.

Hyperion and Atropos came up the steps from the gardens. The Titan’s golden hair and white suit matched his Goddess fiancée’s dress.

They looked to be in the midst of an argument.

“We should set a date,” Hyperion said in a resolute tone.

“And I’m telling you I don’t want to get married yet,” Atropos retorted.

She took a champagne glass from the table and sipped it mutinously.

“Now that I no longer have to close Heaven’s Gates against you and your sisters, you can visit whenever you want,” the Titan continued, as if she hadn’t spoken. “We should discuss the finer details—”

Atropos took hold of him by the collar of his suit and yanked him close. “Listen to me, you big oaf! I will marry you. Just—not now!”

Hyperion blinked. “But why?”

“This guy has a one-track mind,” Tisiphone said darkly.

Atropos scowled at her fiancé. “I’m going to my chambers.” She stormed off and got some fifteen feet before she realized the Titan was still standing by the buffet. “What are you doing?”

“Giving you breathing space?” Hyperion hesitated. “You look like you might rip my heart out and eat it.”

“And you’d deserve it, asshole,” Tisiphone groused.

Tenebra hushed her.

Atropos looked at the ground and muttered something under her breath. She retraced her steps, grabbed Hyperion by his tie, and proceeded to kiss him.

Eden and Yuan gasped.

“Lucky dog,” Ortega mumbled.

The Titan blinked dazedly when Atropos let him go, both of them oblivious to everyone’s avid stares.

“The reason I don’t want to marry you yet is because all you’ll want afterward is babies. I intend to savor you for many a century before that stage of our lives.” Atropos ran a fingernail down his chest and arched an eyebrow. “After all, we have some catching up to do, you and I.”She whirled around, her heels clacking on the marble.“Come to my chambers when you’re ready.” She paused, as if she’d remembered something important, and cast a shrewd look at the Titan over her shoulder. “And, Hyperion?”

Hyperion swallowed. “Yes, dear?”

“Wear the suit.”

Atropos disappeared into the crowd, a smile on her lips.

Hyperion touched his mouth and stared after her. “I’m in trouble, aren’t I?”

“Yup, you’re screwed,” Pan said with a firm nod.

“Totally,” Myrdin asserted.

An evil grin stretched Tisiphone’s mouth. “She’s gonna chew you up and spit you out, Golden Boy.”

A commotion in the gardens drew their gazes.

---