Page 104 of Spellbound
“Oh, yes,” Maddox said, leaning back in his chair at the oak dining table. “We were all here for the show. You were hardly quiet. It was super awkward.” He laughed. “Anyway, you missed a bunch while you were off having wild god sex. How was it, by the way?”
I couldn’t help but grin. “Unbelievable.”
He clasped his fingers together at the back of his head. “Oh, I bet.”
“So what did I miss?”
“Well.” He drummed his fingers against the wood. “Aziel came back, all brooding and angry. Naomi talked him down from interrupting you and Raiden, so you can thank her.”
My eyebrow arched. “She did?”
He smirked. “I think he likes her, which is totally unfair because you might both end up being able to have gods.”
I laughed. “Did Aziel say anything?”
“About who, Freya?” Our conversation darkened. “Only that he thinks she wanted them to find her, and you. It was like she set a trap.”
“It makes no sense.”
“It does.” He looked at me incredulously. “God, girl, you are blind. She needed to make sure. It’s why she kidnapped you, and why she tried to hurt you. She wanted to see what he would do, to see how valuable you are.”
I trembled while pouring my coffee. “I’m not valuable.”
“She can use you against Raiden.”
“Not while he’s here. Besides, I’m sure he’s had sex with tons of women.”
“Probably,” he said. “But it’s more than that with you.” He rolled his eyes. “Neither of you even realize it, do you?”
“Maddox,” I warned.
“He loves you.” He smiled widely, showing off his pearly whites.
“No, he doesn’t.” I placed my coffee cup on the countertop. “It’s... lust.”
He chuckled. “Sure. Sure. Denial, but sure.”
“We’re friends.”
“Right.”
“Maddox. He’s a god. He said before, he isn’t a boyfriend kind of guy. He certainly doesn’t fall in love. Trust me, it’s not like that. It’s just a little complicated,” I said. “If it really comes down to it, he won’t choose me over killing Freya, if that’s what she thinks. She’s deluded and will be wasting her time.”
“Honey...” His expression softened. “He already did. Last night. He got you to safety. He could have gone after her. She was close. He and Aziel could have killed her last night, but instead, he took you here, and well...”
“Stop.” I inhaled deeply as footsteps approached.
Edmund walked in, cleaning his glasses against his top. He placed them on, then looked from me to Maddox, rubbing the back of his neck. “Um. Good morning, Eleanor.”
My eyes widened, as did Maddox’s. Since when was I Eleanor? I rubbed my forehead. “Morning.”
“Has, uh, Maddox filled you in?”
Maddox chuckled. “I didn’t fill her in yet, but I know someone who did.” He rolled his eyes again. I almost threw my coffee at him.
Edmund cleared his throat, ignoring Maddox’s last statement. “We know how to kill Lucius and how to kill Freya, but you’re not going to like it.”
I glanced at Maddox, who gave nothing away in his expression. “What is it?”
