Stryker barely caught himself before the word "you" popped out of his mouth. It was what he wanted. All he needed. And right now, what he wanted most was to unbraid her blond hair and let it fall over his bare chest while she rode him the way she used to.
His cock hardened painfully. That was the most difficult part about being around her. All he had to do was smell the slightest whiff of her lavender and valerian scent and he was rife with need.
Forcing himself to move on, he cleared his throat. "I need you and Medea to return with me to Kalosis."
"Do you really think that's safer than here?"
"Since there's an army of Charonte down there and a pissed-off goddess wanting blood, yes. Unless you know something about Artemis's buried maternal instincts that I don't. But honestly, I can't see her rising to your defense any more than she'd rise to mine."
She glared at him. "I want you to know that I'm only agreeing to this to keep Medea safe. Otherwise I'd tell you to stick it where the sun doesn't shine."
He gave her a wry grin. "Sweetie, I'm sticking you both where the sun doesn't shine. Unlike here, there's no daylight in Kalosis. Ever."
"You're not funny."
"Really? I find myself quite entertaining."
"You would."
Stryker didn't comment anymore as she stepped around him to gather a few items, including makeup and lotion. A foreign tug went through him as he remembered the way she used to meticulously apply both in the morning. He'd lie in bed while she smeared the lotion on her face, then used kohl to line her eyes and a balm of henna on her lips.
There'd been nothing more pleasing to watch. It was so womanly and sweet.
So Zephyra.
"What are you staring at?" she snapped at him.
"Nothing." His voice was more curt than he meant for it to be, but he had no intention of letting her know just how tender his emotions were where she was concerned. It would give her a power over him that she didn't need to know about.
Once she had her things gathered, he took them from her. At first she started to snatch them back. Then, without a word, she relented.
"I'll get Medea."
"Is Davyn still in her room?"
She headed for the door. "He was walking around the grounds earlier, so I'm not sure."
He followed her down the hallway to Medea's room and then froze as he found the two of them playing chess at her table that was set next to the window. Davyn's face was bruised and swollen from his attack, but otherwise he appeared to be back in business.
Zephyra put her hands on her hips. "Should I be concerned that the two of you appear so cozy in here?"
Medea studied the board. "Relax, Mum. He's actually nice for a Daimon."
Zephyra cast an arch stare at Stryker. "I think you should have a word with your man."
"Why?"
"He's alone in your daughter's bedroom with her."
"Playing chess."
"For now . . ."
Stryker laughed. "Relax, Phyra. I'd be more concerned if he were in here with my son than with my daughter. The biggest threat he poses is he might want to borrow her shoes."
Her lips formed a silent oh.
Davyn laughed as he moved his bishop. "You don't have to worry about that, either, since she has the tiniest feet I've ever seen on a woman. Besides, just because I prefer men doesn't mean I want to be a woman. Trust me."