the States. “You’re coming back with us right? To Weston?” The Ankh’s eyes lit up before she could bank the spark and conceal her feelings. “I could do that if you wanted me to.” She shrugged, trying to seem nonchalant.
Eden’s heart thudded unhappily. “Why… where do you normally live?”
“Maui. But I’ve been taking a lot of assignments recently… so all over really.” Eden looked at her feet. Weston couldn’t really compete with Maui. “I wouldn’t want to… you know… make you feel… obligated.”
Val huffed, “Eden, I’d be happy to come live in Weston. Cyrus’ house is certainly big enough for one more Ankh.”
The choking lump she’d felt rising in her throat began to dislodge. “So you don’t think Cyrus would mind another Ankh in the house? It wouldn’t make us targets or anything?” Val snorted. “It would take one of the gods to find a way past Cyrus’ security, Eden. Don’t worry about the Princeps. If you want me in Weston, in Weston I shall be.”
“You’re sure? I’m not like taking you away from anything or…?” She snorted again and dumped her mug in the sink. “Only boredom.” She turned and they shared a warm look that drew the tension out of Eden. She wouldn’t be alone.
And then an unsettling thought occurred to her. “Uh oh.”
“What?”
Eden grimaced, throwing Val a beseeching look. “Are you up for being the buffer between me and Noah’s dad?”
“Ahh.” Val’s eyes lit with comprehension. “Alain has some way to go when it comes to you and Noah.”
“Yeah and that was just when we were friends.”
“Wow,” Val chuckled. “Usually it’s the girl’s father that has a problem with the boy, not the other way around. And for it to be Noah Valois’ father worrying considering how many…” Eden glowered at her. “Oh yeah, chuck up it. My automatic failure with my in-laws and my boyfriend’s whorish past is just a hoot and a half.”
Val laughed. “Going home is sounding fun all of sudden isn’t it?”
*
Even though she could chuckle about it with Val, Eden really was worried about facing Alain when they got back to Massachusetts. It was clear Alain didn’t trust her – which was so effed up considering he trusted Val – and that Noah really looked up to his father. She didn’t even want to know how that would affect things when they got back. Plus… their two families living under the same, albeit massive, roof was going to be… interesting.
After getting Valeria to spill some beans on some of her past romances – one of which involved a very famous emperor and the other an Old Hollywood actor!!! – Eden was in an especially good mood when they set off for the training centre. Her eyes lit up as they walked into the training room and she caught sight of Noah up at the weight machines. When she took in the scene before her this weird, ugly little pang echoed across her chest. He was standing talking to Mark and Natalie, and Natalie was pressed against Noah’s side, her hand on his arm. That alone made her want to rip the Neith off him and give her a beatdown, but as her eyes narrowed on the woman, she watched as Natalie slid her a hand down Noah’s back, the piece of paper in it disappearing into Noah’s back pocket. Natalie patted his ass. And Eden saw red. She felt her feet take off beneath her before her mind had even processed what she was doing. All she could think about was reaching the Neith and letting her know what was what. A strong hand clamped around her wrist, whirling her around to a stop. Val held her still, her beautiful face for once tight and serious; her voice authoritative and ancient as she commanded her in a low voice, “Stop. Noah is not interested in the silly Neith, so do not make a scene, Eden. Things are going well for you. You attack a Neith and that will undo everything we have done here.”
“You should listen to her,” Shona said, seeming to appear out of nowhere. Her mocking eyes roamed over Eden insolently. “It’s not like Noah is worth it. He’s famous for screwing around with the Neith, Edie. He’s taken loads of phone numbers since he’s been here. He’s never had a proper girlfriend, and after all these years, I doubt he’s going to start now with a fledgling, virgin Ankh.” Pain. Hurt. It rippled over Eden, stunning her momentarily. The