Page 40 of A Tribute of Fire

“Someone is. You.”

While I hoped my actions might lead to abolishing the tribute, we had no guarantees that they would. I was more focused on restoring Locris. Once that had been accomplished, I could turn my attention to dealing with Ilion and their unreasonable demands.

She said, “The next time he comes in here, maybe you should talk to him. He’s sought you out more than once now, even though he has responsibilities. I think that says something. That it might be more than just a kiss to him.”

I would not let her sentiment move me. And I would ignore the excited shiver that had accompanied it.

Because there was no point. If I made it to the temple, I would become the goddess’s servant. When I found the eye and Quynh and I returned home, I would have duties and responsibilities to my nation. I would never be able to marry a simple sailor.

I hated that I felt regret. That part of me wished that I could be an ordinary girl so that I could have entertained a courtship from someone like him.

All it had taken was one moment to put me in this position. If I had made a different choice, if I had left the courtyard instead of staying, I would have removed a layer of difficulty for myself. There wouldn’t have been any connection between Jason and me, and I wouldn’t have been internally wrestling with the attraction I continued to feel for him.

He had become a distraction, and I couldn’t afford any of those right now.

“Why do you always look for the good in others?” I asked Quynh.

“It’s a personal failing,” she said with a small smile.

I returned it. “I suppose it is. You should stop doing that.” After a beat I added, “You know I don’t mean that.”

Her generosity of spirit and positivity were two of the best things about her.

“I know you don’t.”

Thinking of how one moment with Jason had altered my life made me think of all the choices, all the twists of fate, that had brought us here to this very moment.

How Quynh’s parents’ choices had inadvertently led to this.

“Have you ever wished that you could go back to your parents’ country?” I asked her.

“I wouldn’t have been able to go there, even if I’d wanted to.”

“We could have hired a merchant to take you.”

She shook her head. “Our family doesn’t have the money to do so. And even if we did, what would I have done when I got there? I would have been surrounded by strangers.”

“It used to be your home. You might have family there.”

Quynh held up her wrist. “I might not. My only hope would be that someone would recognize my bracelet and direct me toward my parents’ families. Because they wouldn’t be my family. You, our parents, Kallisto—you are my family. The only one I remember. My home is with you.”

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

“Lia.”

Jason was whispering my name against my throat as he alternated between licking my skin, leaving hot kisses, and nipping me. He said my name like a prayer, as if I were the goddess he wanted to pay homage to.

I ran my fingers through his dark, silken hair, marveling at how many textural differences he had. Soft hair, a rough, stubbled jaw, warm, velvety skin over hard muscles. Each one begged to be touched, explored.

And I planned to do just that. But first, I needed him closer.

He moaned against my collarbone as I wrapped my legs around his waist, holding him to me. We were lying in his bed, in a room I’d never seen. An inn? His home? I wasn’t sure.

I could feel how much he wanted me, and molten heat pounded its way through me, leaving me an aching mess. One who could no longer speak, only feel. I desired him more than I’d ever desired anything.

His lips returned to mine, heated and possessive.

You are mine.

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