Page 7 of Soft Bronze

Kratos stood and hooked his thumbs into the belt loops of his pants. “Camden is referring to human gods. He means … well, let me show you.” Kratos helped Zelus to his feet and steered him to the front of the store to a large window. “See those men over there?”

Zelus watched the men drinking coffee and talking. Some of them wore tight pants while others dressed in vibrant colors. All of them had their hair perfectly coiffed and were muscled, but thin. Some sported deeply tanned skin. “I see them, but what are you getting at?”

“Gay men, like a lot of those guys over there, set themselves up to crazy high standards. They want to have the best muscles, the least amount of body fat … who has the better hair. the most designer stuff. It’s superficial. Not all men are like that, but some are very worried about appearances. My guess is that Camden isn’t one of those guys. He’s not looking to get involved with someone who sees him as a novelty. Once that uniqueness wears off, the guys who only pay attention to looks will shove him aside or push him into being someone he’s not. Andy was like that. He feared my being a god would make me not want him for the long term. He worried I’d cheat on him and was only with him for the sake of the curse. It took me a while to convince him otherwise.”

Huh. Even in this day and age, the simplicity of appearance dominated the humans. He’d thought that concept might change with time. “What made him change his mind?”

“Time. I’m still here with him. Still devoted to the man I love. I don’t care what he looks like—although he’s very sexy.” Kratos bumped shoulders with Zelus. “His heart. That’s what pulled me in. I have no desire to stray. Every day I show my love, he falls more for me, too.”

Zelus nodded. He hadn’t planned on leaving Cam. No, he wanted to take each moment and learn more about the man he craved. He’d wait forever in the bronze if that’s what he needed to do in order to earn Camden’s love. “Then what do I do? I’m in love with Camden. I don’t want anyone else.”

“Give him some time to process. Then love him to pieces.” Kratos winked. “You’ve got a foothold. Don’t think he’s totally written you off. He’s interested.” He tapped on the glass. “I’ve had this theory. It takes more than a kiss to free us. The attraction must be mutual. There’s something about you that drew him in, just as he drew you in. Give it some time and kiss him like you mean it.”

Ah, more than the kiss. That’s what Camden must’ve meant with his cryptic statements about not working out. He wanted his man and no one else. “Where did he go?”

“He’s with Andy in the stock room. Gus showed up and argued to get his job back. We’re not bending. You were supposed to be in the box, but not shipped. As soon as I found out he’d been the one to deliver you, I fired him. I never trusted him, but he’d had good references. We were fooled, but won’t be any longer.”

“He’s trouble? Gus?” Zelus rubbed his chin with the back of his hand. “Interesting. Are you concerned this man is something other than what he presents himself to be?”

“My instincts were never to trust him,” Kratos said. “I’ve kept an eye on him and allowed him to think he had more control in his job than he did because I wanted to test him. If we were on Olympus, he’d have been gone long before now.”

“Then I will keep my guard up around him as well,” Zelus said. “What about Camden? What can I do? Will Andy help?”

“Andy’s been in Camden’s shoes. If anyone can explain who and what we are, then it’s Andy. He’s persuasive, but also understanding.”

Zelus’s resolve strengthened, but a new emotion took hold. Fear. “I don’t know what to do. I’m worried he won’t accept me, no matter what Andy says. This is a lot for the humans to understand.” His attempt to explain hadn’t worked. For all he knew, it made the situation worse.

“Yes, there’s a lot to go through. Seeing something inanimate come to life is overwhelming, but we kind of had an inside track on you and him—which is why you weren’t supposed to be shipped.” Kratos winked again. “I knew you were my brother and that there was a chance you’d find your celestial mate if you were in my possession.”

Zelus bit back the urge to roll his eyes. “Oh?”

“Yeah, Andy and I located you in Olympus. You were one of the many statues on the mountain.”

“I remember.” How could he forget? When stiff winds encircled the mountain, he worried he’d be toppled from his pedestal. Would his face be dented if the sculpture had been dented?

“I made a point to find you. I wouldn’t rest until I did. We are family and share an unbreakable bond. With Andy’s help, I brought you here to find the person to break your curse. When we saw Cam looking at you, we figured he was more than just drawn to your artistic beauty. He’s a shy kid and Andy, being the observant one, figured he needed a little push. Then admitted he liked you and kissed you.”

“So you sold me?”

Selling you to Grissoms was a lie. We made the name up and didn’t have a shipping address. I don’t know where you were taken, but I am sure Gus was involved in removing you.”

Plenty of things made sense now. The change in his fortunes, the kiss … the box. “I went to a place with other statues. The room was much like the stockroom here, but not this place.”

“I didn’t know there was another antiquities store in town.” Kratos scrubbed his hand across his mouth. “It’s a good thing Gus is no longer the head of security. If Gus shows up again, I’ll deal with him.” He patted Zelus’s shoulder. “Go to the back. You’ll see Andy and Cam. Be patient, but lead with your heart.”

He’d led with a sword and armor. Now he’d have to learn to let his emotions run his life. Fine. “Thanks, brother.”

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