Brex glanced at the floor and made a five-foot square piece of the black marble lift into the air, being pushed up by a large chuck of stone beneath it. He stepped on as it rose and pulled Vivyka with him. She clung to him until it stopped moving about ten feet up. That’s where they danced, it was a necessity to get away from the worshipers who wouldn’t give him enough space to move.
As their bodies swayed to the music, Vivyka was aware of the jealous looks by some of the men and women below. Her grin widened, she couldn’t believe her luck, that she was actually dancing with the party god himself. She was especially happy at being allowed to touch and kiss him. She reminded herself to thank Sera later for letting her come along.
“You’re so much more amazing then I ever dreamed.” Vivyka told him, having to raise her voice over the music since they were so close to the stage. “People’s stories don’t do you justice at all.”
He slid a hand around her waist and pulled her closer. “Same for you.”
She laughed. “No one talks about me.”
“My twins did after you asked them to bring you here before.” He smiled. “I didn’t tell them to say no by the way.” He told her before she could worry.
“I’m surprised they mentioned me at all.”
He smirked. “It’s not every day someone tries seducing them for any reason.”
“Well they aren’t exactly social people are they?” she said with a smile. “Who’s gonna be trying to seduce them when they keep to themselves so much.”
“You, apparently.”
“Well… yeah.” She studied him for a moment. “Does it bother you that I tried to get to you like that?”
“No.”
“So… are the twins like… with you?” She wondered. “I mean, are they gonna get pissed at me for doing this?” She kissed him again to illustrate her point.
“And if they would be upset?” he asked.
She frowned. Even if it was Brex, she wouldn’t hurt people like that, it was just wrong.
He smiled warmly at her, knowing her thoughts and looking pleased by them. “They already know and they’re fine.”
She followed his gaze and saw them sitting on his platform. As if they felt his eyes on them, they looked over. The twins gave him a small smile and their eyes were just as adoring as before.
Brex turned back to her and kissed her deeply. She forgot everything else as she returned his passion and melted into the pure perfection of his kiss.
She felt a little lightheaded when he stopped. She smiled. “Well then… think we could go somewhere more private?”
Without a word, he lowered their personal dance floor and stepped off. He took her hand and led her through the crowd to the golden doors at the back. On their way, they passed close to the platform were the others were. The twins noted them passing but obviously didn’t care while Matt shook his head at her and chuckled, causing Sera to stir a bit in his lap—unbelievably enough, she seemed to be asleep How anyone could sleep in this place was a mystery to Vivyka.
—————
Hours later, Matt still held Sera in his lap. As she slept, he absentmindedly played with one of her ringlet curls, twirling it around his finger. He focused on her beautiful face, attempting to keep his emotions as calm as possible for her. But he glanced up when someone walked onto the platform. The twins gazed adoring at Brex as he walked by them, caressing one of their cheeks as he passed. His outfit was completely different. Now he was wearing a shimmery silver long sleeve shirt with black leather pants, and black finger-less gloves.
Sera, as if sensing his presence, woke up and sat up. “Where’s Vivyka?”
The god sat on his couch and leaned back. “My vixen needs some sleep,” he answered simply. “But you’ll get her back in the morning, I promise,” he assured with a smile.
Matt huffed. “When you’re done with her?” he said quietly, almost under his breath.
“No,” Brex answered seriously. “When she’s done with me.”
Matt just rolled his eyes and looked away from him.
“When you say my…?” Sera wondered.
“I mean my,” was all he said.
“It means she’s very lucky,” Danis told her.
Brex winked at them. “Come here,” he said softly. They immediately went to sit beside him. Vinius whispered something in the god’s ear and Brex nodded. “But I’m keeping you for at least a week.”
“Miss us?” they asked.
“Always.”
They both grinned. “We missed you too.”
Vinius laid down, resting his head in the god’s lap and closed his eyes. He smiled contentedly when Brex started stroking his hair. Danis leaned his head against his shoulder when the god put his arm around him.
Matt glanced over, felt disgusted, and turned away again. Sera, however smiled at them, and then gave Matt a look that told him to knock it off. “Brex,” she said. “I was still wondering about the Temple of the Gods. Can you help me?”
“Can? Of course,” Brex told her. “But I won’t.”
“Why not?” Sera asked, her voice filled with disappointment.
“Rules,” he told her simply. “I only grant requests from a select few, and you’re not one of them.”
“You have clergy?”
“No.”
“He has a favorite,” Danis said.
“Sometimes,” Vinius put in, not opening his eyes.
“Oh.” Sera looked at them like she understood.
Danis lifted his head to frown at her, insulted. “We’re not favorites.”
“Then what are you?” she asked.
Danis just smiled and snuggled into Brex again.
The god chuckled. “Don’t bother. They won’t ask for you. They never ask for anything, not even for themselves.”
“We already have everything,” Vinius commented.
“Isn’t there a way you’d make an exception?” Sera pressed.
“No.”
Just then, Tess, with an abashed looking Ayden in tow, came up to the platform and sat down. Tess glared at the god. “That wasn’t nice,” she complained.
“What’d he do?” Matt asked, looking at Ayden, amused and surprised.
“I didn’t do anything,” Ayden said, offended.
Matt chuckled. “Course not.”
“He would never,” Tess said confidently, though she still sounded jealous. “But the woman… I didn’t even know there was magic like that.”
“It’s regular spells, just controlled and some manipulated slightly,” Brex said with a smile. “You’re a clever and powerful mage. Nothing you can’t do,” he said to Ayden, who blushed deeply. Brex looked at Tess and winked. “Trust me, I did you a favor.”
Matt raised a curious brow, but no one seemed willing to tell.
Tess continued to glare. “Can we leave yet?”
Sera looked at Brex. “Are you sure I can’t change your mind somehow?”
“Rules,” he repeated with a tone of finality.
Matt stood and brought Sera with him. They headed for the exit with Tess and Ayden right behind them.
“Sera,” Brex said, stopping them.
She turned back, looking hopeful. “Yes?”
A perfect white rose materialized in his hand and he held it out to her. “The rose is for you.”
Her disappointment was obvious, but she was touched by the gesture none-the-less. She smiled warmly at him as she took the flower, being careful of its thorns. “Thank you,” she told him sincerely and smelled the rose.
Brex’s look for her was that of someone who had known her for a long time and who loved her very much. It reminded Matt of how Cael looked at her, it was almost fatherly.
Matt gave Sera’s hand a gentle squeeze as they left. “Don’t worry, Angel, we’ll find another way,” he told her soothingly.
