Page 91 of Damned and Broken Gods
My bladder twinged. “Um…Araz, if you don’t put me down soon, I might pee myself.”
He stilled and slowly pulled back, his gaze amused. “Well, we can’t have that, can we?” He set me down. “Let’s find you the perfect tree.”
“You go ahead, and I’ll follow.”
He frowned. “Someone has to guard you while you relieve yourself.”
“I can guard myself. I do not want you listening to me pee.” I gently shoved at his chest. “Go.”
He didn’t budge. “I’ve heard you pee before, among other things.”
My cheeks heated. “What? No! Don’t tell me that!”
“We share space, Leela. It’s bound to happen and?—”
“Shut up and stay here!” I strode into the forest, determined to have privacy, but I couldn’t help the grin tugging at my lips because everything he said, everything he did, proved that our connection was getting stronger.
That maybe…Maybe I would be enough after all.
Part Five
Rollercoasters, boxes of chocolates, a stage…metaphors for life. But honestly the only thing that I can say about life is that it has a penchant for curveballs.
Chapter 33
The Night Before The Morning After
LEELA
The village streets were filled with music. Flamebrew flowed, and delicious foods were cooked on makeshift grills. Human and djinn mingled, laughing and dancing. My fellow demigods were among them, eating, dancing, and laughing.
I’d claimed a spot under a canopy, leaning against the wall to people watch and just chill.
Tonight was the Grishma Avasana, the last day of summer, and it was customary to celebrate the end of each season and the beginning of a new one.
I held off the booze because we had a trial tomorrow, a sea test, and I wanted a clear head, but Araz seemed to be having a great time—laughing and drinking with the other drohi. Jasha stood on the sidelines, silent and watchful. Unease writhed in my belly. I didn’t understand why he hated me so much.
I hadn’t done anything to piss him off, had I?
The only thing I’d done was get bonded to Araz and…A possibility flared in my mind. I watched Jasha watching Araz and, oh…
“You see it, do you?” Ramashi said, sidling up to join me.
I sipped my water. “What?”
“Jasha. It’s obvious he’s in love with Araz.”
“He was with Chaya.”
“That doesn’t negate his feelings for Araz. I heard they were close once, him, Pashim, and Araz, but Jasha pulled away. I spoke to Pashim about it once, and he’s the one who mentioned his suspicions.”
“Does Araz know?”
“I doubt it. And it’s not our place to tell him. It’s Jasha’s secret to reveal,ifhe wishes.”
“Except people already know.”
“Suspect. Not know for certain.”
