He drew in a shaky breath and memorized every curve, every angle, every line and plane of her gorgeous face so he could call it up whenever he needed. For the rest of his life. No matter how long that may be.
“I love you, thea. Only you.”
Two tears spilled over her sooty lashes to slide down her creamy skin.
“Zander,” the king announced in a hard tone from above, breaking their bittersweet moment, “this binding ceremony will go on as scheduled. You cannot stop it. My daughter will be bound today. Acacia,” he barked at his side.
“What?” Casey said next to him, irritation coating her words as well.
“Find something more appropriate for Callia to wear. Even though I can’t see her, I know how she dresses. She can’t have her binding ceremony in commoner’s clothing.”
Callia’s eyes grew wide. And hope, just the tiniest shred, slivered its way into Zander’s chest. They both looked up at the king.
“Contrary to what you all think,” the king said with a scowl, “I’m not a heartless bastard. I still believe sacrifice is necessary, but not at the expense of one daughter over another.”
Lucian stepped up next to the king then, peering over the banister with a less-than-thrilled expression on his face.
“After much debate,” the king went on, “Lord Lucian has finally agreed to recognize Maximus as a legitimate heir to the throne, until such time as Isadora produces her own heir. Acacia, go tell your sister she was just granted a reprieve. At least until I figure out what in Hades to do with her.”
A wide grin swept across Casey’s face. She shot a look at Theron, who was also smiling, before she darted off toward Isadora’s rooms.
Zander whipped back to Callia. And though excitement flared in his veins, he tamped it down because there was still one matter left unaddressed.
“Oh, my gods,” Callia whispered.
“Thea.” He gripped her arms. “You don’t have to do what he commands. I won’t let him dictate your life the way he does Isadora’s. It has to be your choice. If you don’t want—”
She threw her arms around his neck and pressed her mouth to his. And when she eased back, her smile beamed. “I want you. I’ve always only ever wanted you. Zander, bind yourself to me. To us,” she corrected, glancing at Max, still standing with Titus, smiling himself. “Today. Right now. We’ll figure everything else out later.”
His chest filled to bursting. Only this time, it was happiness, not rage, that consumed him. And he knew it always would be. “Ah, thea,” he said softly, closing his arms around her and drawing her tight against him. “I don’t need a ceremony to tell me what I already know. Our lives have been entwined from the very start. Do you think I could ever choose anyone but you?”
Her victory smile widened. “No, thank the Fates, you can’t.” She leaned in to kiss him. “And I won’t ever let you. You’re mine, Guardian. Forever.”
He smiled himself as his lips met hers. “It’s about damn time.”
Eternal Guardians Lexicon
ándras; pl. ándres—Male Argolean.
agkelos—Term of endearment; angel.
Argolea—Realm established by Zeus for the blessed heroes and their descendants.
Argonauts—Eternal guardian warriors who protect Argolea. In every generation, one from the original seven bloodlines (Heracles, Achilles, Jason, Odysseus, Perseus, Theseus, and Bellerophon) is chosen to continue the guardian tradition.
Council of Elders—Twelve lords of Argolea who advise the king
daemons—Beasts who were once human, recruited from the Fields of Asphodel (purgatory) by Atalanta to join her army.
élencho—Mind-control technique Argonauts use on humans
Fields of Asphodel—Purgatory
gigia—Grandmother
gynaíka; pl. gynaíkes—Female Argolean
Horae—Three goddesses of balance controlling life and order
Isles of the Blessed—Heaven
ilithios—Idiot
matéras—Mother
meli—Term of endearment; beloved.
Medean witches—Covens in the mountains of Argolea that follow the teachings and traditions of Medea
Misos—Half-human/half-Argolean race that lives hidden among humans
ochi—No
oraios—Beautiful
Orb of Krónos—Four-chambered disk with the power to release the Titans from Tartarus
patéras pl. patéres—Father
rompa—Ancient red robe worn by members of the Argolean Council
skata—Swearword
syzygos—Wife
Tartarus—Realm of the Underworld similar to hell
thea—Term of endearment; goddess.
yios—Son