Daughter of Kaos (The Daughter Trilogy Book 3) (29 page)

“Why didn’t you tell me?” I coolly ask.

“I thought you knew until after the wedding. It was obvious you didn’t then, or you would have

used it against me in your accosting. What was I supposed to do?” he murmurs with trepidation.

“You were supposed to tell me. That should have been something that came up right away,” I

scold.

“Adisia, I was falling apart for months. I literally destroyed two of my houses just to find some

release for my anger. I couldn’t bear the thought of saying or doing anything wrong,” he explains.

“Devin, I rushed into your arms the moment I knew it wasn’t you. I told you I was sorry because

I
was the one in the wrong, not you. You could have told me anything, and you should have told me

this. I understand all of that… sort of. It wasn’t you, right?”

“You know it wasn’t,” he utters defensively.

“This was you. You and you alone intentionally neglected to tell me this huge piece of

information. You chose to talk to her behind my back tonight. I’m gone for ten minutes, and the two

of you are hulled up in the kitchen all alone. That makes me look and feel like a fool.”

“Please don’t do this,” he almost cries. “Don’t leave me, not now. You swore you’d never leave

me again. I’ll kick her out right now. I just wanted to tell her to drop it, and I wanted to explain. I

knew she was hurting, and I felt guilty. Please don’t leave me for trying to tell her how much I love

you,” he whimpers, and I almost feel like the world’s biggest bitch.

“I’m not leaving you, Devin,” I mutter, and he rushes over to me to pull me into his arms.

I push him away just before his lips connect with mine, and pain sears his eyes immediately.

“You said you weren’t leaving,” he murmurs with even more fear.

“I’m not, but I’m still pissed. Devin, you had a choice about whether or not to tell me that, and

you made the choice not to. You could have spoken to her with people around, but you chose a private

setting. You could have told me you were planning to speak to her, but you snuck around behind my

back instead. This time, I have a right to be pissed, and I’m exercising it.”

“Please, baby. I just got you back. Please don’t do this,” he pleads.

“I’m not doing anything besides being pissed. I have that right. I’m still your wife, I’m not filing

for divorce, and I’m not running away,” I bark, and then I turn around and storm into the bathroom.

“I didn’t intend to speak to her at all. She cornered me in the kitchen.”

“You could have walked a way,” I growl.

“I wanted to tell you about the rest, but I just didn’t want to do anything to make you mad.”

“You’re still batting zero. Go away. I’m taking a shower and going to bed,” I grumble

dismissively through the closed, unpadded bathroom door.

“Do you want me to sleep in another room?” he asks softly from the other side, and the pitiful

tone of his voice is almost my breaking point.

I open the door to the bathroom, and I stare into the eyes of the man falling to pieces in front of

my eyes. His body is tense, but so sexy. His eyes are tortured, but they still hold mine captive.

“No. Sleep with me, but that doesn’t mean everything is okay. You lied to me, Devin, and this

seems to be a pattern. If you deem something too scary to discuss, you hide it from me. A lie by

omission is still a lie, and I’m getting sick of it. I love you, and I’m going to be with you for the rest

of my life, but I also reserve the right to stand up for myself. You don’t get to pick and choose what I

deserve to know,” I lecture, and then I shut the door again before running the water.

The sweeping motion of the warm, showering potion pours over me, and it hides my tears in its

streams. I sigh loudly, and the window to the outside is begging me to escape through it.

I always run. It’s what I do best. I’ve never fought so hard for something in my life as I have

him. If there was ever controversy before, I left. If there was ever too much drama, I left.

Every man had broken my heart by being with another woman, and that was my out rather than

heartbreak. Devin’s the only one I’ve ever devoted myself to, and he can’t understand I’m not going

to run anymore.

This hurts though, and it’s really tough to just push it aside so easily even though I wish I could.

The towel drapes around me to offer a comforting touch, and my wet feet print themselves onto

the marble surface as I step into the quiet, dark bedroom.

The windows line the far wall, and I pull one open to give myself access to the balcony. Then my

eyes fall on the incredible man I wish would stop being such a damn fool.

Devin is sitting in front of the moonlit ocean, and I can see the distress etched on his face. Then I

hear Nina speaking from around the side of the house. I lean back to listen without being seen.

“So did he ever answer you about whether or not it was all Pyrrha?” Nissa, another nymph, asks.

“Unfortunately, yes. He told me he never wanted to speak to me again when he walked out of his

room after she overheard us.

“He said he would have never even looked at me without Pyrrha’s spell. He was cold, callous,

and incredibly cruel. He said if I tried speaking to him again, he would take Adisia, and they would

leave everyone here and try to make it on their own without any help,” she mumbles.

I smile a little, and then I see Devin lean back to lie on the sand behind him - oblivious to Nina’s

confession going on right now.

“Do you think she told him to say that?” Nissa asks.

“I think she told him she was pissed, and he overcompensated. He doesn’t think rationally around

her. It’s as if she’s the one holding him under a spell.”

Bitch.

“Maybe she is. She’s an Aphrodite after all,” Nissa suggests, and now I’m tempted to introduce

her to Aphrodite.

“He’s immune to her powers, including Aphrodite’s gaze. I wish it was that simple,” Nina

exasperates.

Then I hear Kry interjecting, “If you keep causing problems, I swear you’re going to lose us all,

not just him.”

“What?” Nina asks in surprise, and I can tell she wasn’t expecting him. “We’ve been friends for

centuries. You’re going to side with her?”

“Yes, and so will everyone else here, even Gemma. Adisia has been a huge part of our lives, and

none of us would be alive if it hadn’t been for her. I’ve always liked you, Nina, but I swear I’ll never

speak to you again if you continue to meddle where you’re not wanted. We have a dangerous and

important task in front of us. Let’s try to keep our focus on it. Devin and Adisia have been through

enough bullshit,” he admonishes, and then I see him walking in front of the balcony on his way down

to Devin.

“Well, that was uncalled for,” Nissa whispers.

“He’s right. They’re all protective of her. I don’t understand it, but I’m the leader of our clan.

It’s my duty to keep this alliance intact. They’re the strongest group, especially now with the

Emperian dead. We can’t afford to lose them, and I’m just going to have to suck it up,” she sighs.

I hear them walking away, and then I look down to the beach to see Devin and Kry sitting silently

in front of the waves.

I roll my eyes and walk over to grab my new gown. The satin glides down my body as I pull it

over my head, and the pale pink offers a glowing touch to my tanned skin.

I smirk as I see the very sexy sway of the glorious fabric, and it clings to me as the long slit shows

my right leg up to my thigh. The see-through back offers a peek all the way down to just before my

rear.

This is a fitting punishment. Look but don’t touch.

My stomach growls and I sigh as I pull on a soft, sleek, white robe to cover the showy garment

before walking into the living room.

Everyone is still on their phones, and some are obviously under a lot of stress to find something…

anything.

I head into the kitchen, and I pull out some of the fish already cooked. As soon as I start eating,

the most unwanted company in the house joins me at the table - making my appetite almost vanish.

“Adisia,” Nina murmurs timidly.

“I really don’t think you want to mess with me right now,” I warn.

Her eyes dart around nervously, and then she looks at her hands that are crossed in her lap.

“I know you’re upset, but I’m only here to apologize. It’s important this alliance works, and it’s

obvious that our relationship with the Cole’s and their contacts hinges on your approval. Right now I

feel as though the thin ice is cracking, and I feel it to be
our
responsibility to make this situation

work.”

I just want a damn second of fucking peace.

“Then I suppose you should leave my husband alone. I’m tired of his bat-shit crazy exes thinking

they have the right to say or do whatever they want simply because they knew him first. I don’t

deserve the disrespect, and I’m not going to tolerate it anymore,” I admonish, and then I take another

bite.

She swallows hard enough for me to hear it, and then she scoots in a little closer.

“I’m not crazy, and I’m not Stasia. I heard how she reacted, and it’s a horrific thing to be

compared to her. I just needed to know about that day on the beach. You’re right to say I was

disrespectful, but I can assure you it won’t happen again,” she promises.

“Just do whatever it is you do, and leave me alone. You’re only in here because of what Kry and

Devin said. You’re worried the whole family will turn against you soon enough and now you’re doing

damage control. I’m new to the immortal world, but I’m not a fool. You would be wise to remember

that,” I scoff, and then my angered Aphrodite flashes green to my eyes to remind her how powerful I

am - new or not.

“I didn’t come to fight. I came for peace. I suppose it would have been smarter to let the smoke

clear first, and I apologize for rushing it. I hope we can sort this out sooner rather than later for the

sake of everyone,” she murmurs hesitantly.

“I realize we’re in this together. The harpies need to be drowned, and the hellhounds need to be

electrocuted. The sirens need the sun’s execution rays, and the Medusas don’t scare me in the least.

The only thing I’m telling you to do is stay away from me. It’s not a request,” I growl, and she

tightens her lips in defeat before leaving.

Unbelievable.

I hastily scarf down the remainder of my fish to fill my almost spoiled appetite, and then I head

back to the bedroom.

The door is open, and Devin’s body is propped against the side of the sliding glass door while he

stares out into the ocean.

I refrain from letting out a huffing sound of distaste while saying, “I suppose you heard that.”

“Yes. I’m sorry she came to speak to you, but I wasn’t sure if you wanted me to intervene. I’m

uncertain where I stand right now,” he says softly while turning around.

I shut the door, and then I turn back to him.

“She thinks everyone is actually acting like this because of me, and… You know what? Forget

it,” I gripe, and then I undo the robe to reveal the sexy gown I regret putting on now. “I’m going to

bed and dealing with this tomorrow.”

“Are you still mad at me?” he asks in a near muted tone.

“Seething. Just stay on your side.”

Great. Now I sound like a normal, nagging wife.

“Did you have to put that on?” he almost seduces, and I do perfectly well in stifling an

unwelcome grin.

“Yes I did,” I snark, and then I climb into the bed before he says anything else.

He sighs as he begins unbuttoning his shirt, and I keep my back to him so as not to be seduced by

the perfection of his bare body.

I listen to his pants sliding off, and I start throbbing in pain.

Damn it. I should have gotten undressed in front of him. He’s much better at this.

“I love you, baby. I’m sorry,” he says so sincerely, and I realize he’s not playing games; he’s

doing everything he can just to keep me from running.

“I love you, but I’m not dealing with this until tomorrow,” I snap, and then I curl up on the edge

of the bed before closing my eyes.

I let the sounds of the ocean waves rock me to sleep with their lullaby of promise. The smell of

salty water is refreshing, and I’m praying it cleanses my mind of all the new toxins.

Devin’s lips are consuming mine
fervently as his body slides over the satin gown I’m still

wearing. The waves crash harder as I’m forced awake from the seductive assault.

I struggle for a moment, but then I feel the desperation in his breath to keep me pinned to him.

“Devin,” I grumble against his lips. “Stop,” I insincerely plead.

“No. I can’t lose you again, and I don’t want to fight,” he murmurs with desire and need.

“Devin, I’m not going anywhere,” I comfort.

“Prove it,” he smolders, and his lips demand the full attention of mine before I can say anything

else.

His body continues to slide against mine, and then his firm, assertive hands slide up my legs to

pull the gown up to my waist. His tongue tastes incredible against mine, and my nails dig into his