West of Want (Hearts of the Anemoi) by Laura Kaye

special.”
    “I nearly killed her.”
    Boreas whipped around, his fur robes whirling. A blast of cold air shot out from his body. “I do not believe it.”
    “It’s true. As if the anniversary party wasn’t hard enough.” He glanced at Boreas. “Don’t get me wrong, I am happy for Owen. But, you know, I don’t really do the whole happy-couple thing very well. Anyway, afterward, Hy tried to summon me back here.”
    “Did you go—”
    “No, of course not,” Zeph said, hating this.
    Boreas’s silver gaze narrowed. “For someone who supposedly made his choice—and chose someone else—he sure keeps close tabs on you. It’s not fair to you, brother.”
    The protective tone in the older man’s voice felt like what home and family were all about. Zeph needed such care and concern like mortals needed food and water, but that didn’t make him any more comfortable with it. He shrugged and scrubbed his hands through his hair. “Anyway, I just felt suffocated at the party, but couldn’t come back here, and I lost it. And Ella got caught in the crossfire.”
    Boreas frowned. “But you saved her.”
    “Yes.”
    “Then, good gods, Zephyros, give yourself a break.”
    Zeph cut his gaze to Boreas.
    “I have never known someone who tormented himself as much as you. Everyone makes mistakes, but not everyone shoulders them like Atlas carrying around the weight of the world. Not everyone bleeds for them.”
    “That so, brother? And what are your mistakes? You are the most righteous god I know.” Zeph meant that, from down deep. His respect and admiration for Boreas knew no bounds.
    “Do not place me on a pedestal. I cannot stand there. No god can.”
    “I’m waiting.” He cupped his hand to his ear, knowing he was being a sarcastic asshole.
    “Next time you see Owen, you ask him if I’m perfect. Or ask Chione. Oh, wait, she’s off bed-hopping, providing fodder for another round of warfare between Ular and Koli. What a great job I did there. Shall I go on?
    “Shit, Boreas.”
    “You have a way with words, brother.”
    Zeph chuckled. “I’m sorry.”
    “Don’t be. So, now that we got all of that out of the way, what exactly did Eurus do?”
    Zeph inhaled a calming breath before he spoke. “He came to Ella’s house and marked her. Invaded my dreams and restrained my body while I slept.”
    Boreas’s expression darkened. “Damn it all to Hades. You must walk away. Or guard her well.”
    “I know.” Restlessness shot through him. Talking about Ella made him want to get back to her.
    “I fear some of this is my fault, Zephyros.”
    Zeph frowned. “How do you figure?”
    “Last year, I didn’t invite Eurus or his sons to Owen’s wedding, nor to his anniversary party last week.”
    Holy shit . He gaped. Not that he really blamed him. Nothing like the Supreme God of the evil and unlucky East Wind to throw a damper on a happy celebration. And his sons hadn’t fallen too far from the old evil tree. “And he knows?”
    “He does. I couldn’t do it, not with a new grandchild growing in Megan’s womb. I just couldn’t risk it.”
    “She’s pregnant again?”
    His brother’s eyes crinkled in mirth. “She is.”
    “That’s good. Real good.” Zeph smiled and ignored the empty ache that took root in the center of his chest. He’d always liked Owen, and the guy deserved this happiness, but damn if it didn’t highlight everything Zeph lacked. He clasped Boreas’s shoulder. “I certainly don’t blame you for being cautious. No one would.”
    “Eurus does.”
    “He’s the only one. And he earned it, fair and square.”
    Boreas grunted.
    Cracking his neck, competing thoughts rose up for attention in Zeph’s head. Only one thing he knew for sure. “I should go. I want to get back.”
    “I’m glad. Don’t give Eurus the power to choose for you, Zephyros.”
    Zeph nodded, but didn’t know what to say. If he was going to give this a real shot with Ella, it wasn’t only him he had to worry about