House of the Rising Son by Sherrilyn Kenyon Page B

wife. He dropped his weapons and ran to where she sat on the floor. Her left cheek was bruised and swollen. Her nose bloodied.
    â€œBathia?” he breathed, terrified for what Apollo had done to her.
    Tears welled in her eyes as she laid her hand against his cheek. “My poor Ari.”
    Confused, he scowled at her words. “Did he rape you?”
    â€œNo. I attacked him.”
    Relief flooded him, until she spoke again.
    â€œWhy didn’t you tell me he raped you, Ari?”
    Unable to meet her gaze, Aricles withdrew from her. He didn’t want to see disdain or hatred in her eyes. Or worse …
    Disappointment.
    He was the one who was supposed to protect her. But how could he when he lacked the strength to protect himself?
    She closed the distance between them and placed her hand on his arm. “Ari, talk to me.”
    â€œWhat can I say, goddess?
    Bathymaas ached at the anguish she heard in his voice. At the shame she saw in his eyes as he refused to look at her. “Sweetie … it wasn’t your fault.”
    He finally met her gaze and the raw fury there scared her. “You think that makes it right? I’m a man, Bathia. A warrior.”
    â€œYou’re mortal and he’s a god.”
    â€œAnd I’m supposed to keep you safe.”
    She shook her head. “He came at you from the shadows. It was a coward’s attack because he knew he couldn’t defeat you if he attacked you as a warrior.”
    â€œStill not helping.”
    Cupping his face in her hands, she forced him to look at her. “I love you, Ari, and I never meant for my love to hurt you.”
    â€œIt doesn’t hurt me, goddess, it strengthens me.”
    â€œNo. It’s made you vulnerable and for that, I’m so sorry.”
    He frowned at her words. “Why do you apologize to me?”
    Bathymaas couldn’t speak as her new emotions ravaged her. Guilt, horror, pain … She didn’t like these feelings at all. But beneath all the ones that hurt was the fierce adoration she had for the strength and inner beauty of her husband. “I should have left you on your farm when you asked me to.”
    â€œThen I wouldn’t have had you.”
    The love in his gaze brought tears to her eyes. “Ari—”
    He stopped her words with a kiss. “I would brave anything for you, my lady.”
    â€œAnd I, you.”
    Finally, he drew her into his arms and held her close. “I’m sorry I embarrassed you.”
    She frowned at his words. “Embarrassed me how?”
    â€œBy not being the man you deserve.”
    Tears flowed down her cheeks. “Don’t you ever say that! In all my life, I have never known a better, more noble man than you. God or mortal.” She pulled his head down and held him close.
    Aricles trembled at the sensation of her arms wrapped around him. In that moment, he hated Apollo with everything he had. No doubt the bastard was already spreading news of their relationship, far and wide.
    I’m going to kill him.…
    *   *   *
    â€œ Apollymi, goddess of destruction and creation, I humbly summon you. Please do your most earnest and humble servant the honor of appearing,” Aricles whispered the words as he poured scented oil over the hot coals at the base of Apollymi’s statue on Didimosia. He hadn’t been to this temple since his grandfather had brought him here on a sacred pilgrimage when he was a boy.
    Looking up at the statue, he was as struck by the goddess’s beauty today as he’d been then. But it was the cruelty in her stone eyes that was still terrifying.
    That cruelty that he was now imploring.
    Unaware of his intentions, her priests were all in their corner, and he was alone in the main temple hall to make his blood offering to the most dangerous god in their pantheon.
    At first, he thought she’d ignore him. But just as he was ready to leave, he felt the same stirring in