Shaking herself out of her lust-filled thoughts, she took a full step back and congratulated herself on her steady voice as she replied, “I am fine. I thought I heard – never mind.”
Mordecai’s eyes searched her face for a moment, a frown pinching his brow as he looked around him. “Are you sure everything is okay? I could have sworn my domain went haywire for a second there. If there is any chance of danger, I need to know.”
Dana winced and silently chided Tanda. Of course an old and powerful Death Warden would be aware of the presence of a Death God. “There is no danger here. I promise.”
Mordecai scrutinised her face for a few more seconds before relaxing, his four paladins following his lead behind him. “I see your talk went well.” He gestured to the crowd who were talking excitedly amongst themselves.
“Yes,” she said, excitedly. “It is a positive step, do you not think? Education, facts, history.”
“Indeed. We are destined to repeat the worst of our histories if they are forgotten.” Mordecai snorted in derision, “I’ve seen it happen enough in my lifetime.”
“As have I,” she agreed.
They stood together in silence for a few moments before it began to get awkward. Dana peered up at Mordecai, wondering if she should say something about the weather. Or perhaps Max, she thought. The one thing they could always talk about these days was their daughter. Thankfully, Aiden stepped forward, offering her a small bow and a quick grin.
“My lady, perhaps you would like to see Mordecai’s suite in HQ? We’ve been here over a week now and he has done nothing further than put sheets on his bed.”
Mordecai scowled at his Captain. “And? You don’t expect me to sit around picking paint colours, do you?”
Aiden shook his head, “No. In fact, as someone who is going to be living in those rooms too, I sincerely urge you not to. You have no taste whatsoever. But Dana on the other hand …” he turned his rakish grin on her once more. “You created nature itself. You’re like the original interior designer.”
Dana laughed. “I would love to take credit for all the beauty that exists in the world, but I merely created the seeds. Evolution has wrought many miracles – thanks to the aid of my wardens and paladins.”
“Pfft, you’re too humble. I bet you’ve got a great eye for colour. Mordecai, take Dana to your room,” Tobias picked up Dana’s hand with care and grabbed Mordecai’s more forcefully. He then smooshed their hands together and spun them bodily around. He went so far as to give his liege a shove, though he didn’t attempt the same with her.
Mordecai snarled, shooting daggers at his Order and Dana had no doubt he was giving them a mental tongue lashing through their link. He finally swallowed down a curse and turned to her. “Would you like to see my place?”
Dana pursed her lips, holding back her amusement with effort. “I would love to.”
Mordecai grunted and began leading her across the green expanse of Eden in the direction of the huge, three storey building that was now very much completed – on the outside at least. Nobody but Mordecai had moved in and no meetings had yet to be held there either. “You wouldn’t find them so amusing if your soul was intertwined with theirs.”
“I would say there are worse souls to be bound to,” Dana offered. “I am grateful to be shown around. I cannot believe the progress. And just in time too. I will be returning to Otherworld tomorrow.”
Mordecai stumbled, whipping his head down to look at her. “Tomorrow? For how long?”
“For at least two weeks.” Mordecai’s silence was telling. He disapproved of her actions. Placing a hand on his arm, she brought him to a stop. “It is not that I don’t want to be here. I have –”
“Responsibilities. I know,” Mordecai cut in. His smile was sardonic as he looked down at her. “I’m not trying to be an arse. You’re an important person with a really fucking important job. I like having you around is all,” he ended with a shrug.
His words gave her such happiness – and such hope for the future. But was that hope fruitless? Her time spent with Gaias had been brief and filled with more questions than answers. She really had no idea what it meant that her last custodian had been given a body. Just because Tempus said he was her protégé did not