Page 30 of Courting War
Theo had no such restrictions, so she said, “A snake.”
Cecile ran a finger over her tattoo. “Yes, it must be a snake, but which mirror is that? It could be any of you.” She waved at Theo and then Light.
“And, of course, Death,” Theo said. The triplets all had snakes as their symbols, and the three of them together were symbolized by three interlocking serpents.
“War, your presence isn’t needed,” Andromache said, “I will take it from here.” Which was code for she wanted to say something she didn’t want her sister to hear.
“No, you’re not needed here, Light,” The Goddess of Love said, twisting out of the pink curtains surrounding the heart-shaped bed. “These are my champion’s rooms, and I would very much like to talk with Theodra alone.”
She snapped her fingers, and pink ribbons formed from god magic hauled both Andromache and her champion from the room. Bella disappeared from Theo’s lap in a puff of smoke as if she weren’t allowed to stay without Cecile around.
“She’s going to get back at you for that,” Theo said, rubbing her face and not looking forward to this conversation.
Love and War were old friends, but Love would enjoy seeing Theo this vulnerable far too much.
“I count on it.” Love's dark olive skin glistened with mirth. Theo didn’t understand. “So you’re human.”
“So it would seem.”
“How delightful!” Love said, “I have so many fun things in store for you this week.”
“I'm sure you do, Rougoine.” Theo sighed, her eyes flicking to the door, already over this exchange.
“Isn’t your champion quite handsome? Almost the perfect man for you. Tall, silent, and serious.” Love wiggled her eyebrows. “And I'm sure he would be quite fun in the—”
“Please do not finish that sentence.” Theo held up a hand. “What will it take for you to leave me alone?”
“What are you willing to give?”
“I would do quite a lot,” Theo said flippantly.
“I would beboundto leave under the right circumstances,” Love said, “would that suffice?”
“Yes, just do what you came for,” Theo said, “say what you need to and leave me in peace.”
Love’s olive face lit up with a brilliant smile. The type of smile that would launch a thousand ships into battle. “Tsk, tsk, you shouldn’t have said that. You’re human now and can easily be bound to bargains.” Love wiggled her nose and clasped a hand around Theo’s wrist. “Oh, this is going to be wondrously fun.”
Theo’s skin burned at the touch, and a phantom sensation wrapped its talon around her wrist, clutching it and not letting go. A magic chain appeared.
Love had tricked her . . . and it was far too easy. Theo knew better. She knew the gods were tricksters, yet she easily fell into Love’s trap. Theo’s heart pounded like a bat caught in a cage. “What did you do?”
“I’ve bound you until you’ve completed my spell’s purpose.” With those horrifying words, Love disappeared into a puff of glitter-filled smoke.
“Bound me to what?” Theo yelled after her.
She soon found out because the magic chain tugged her out of the room, forcing her feet to a destination, not of her choosing. It felt like an invisible cord, pulling her like a dog on a leash, going where its owner wanted. And that was to the Theoden Suite.
The magic wanted her near the Theoden Champion.
Well fuck.
Chapter Eleven
KELLYN
Champion of Theoden
THEODEN SUITE, CITY OF THE GODS
