There was more.

  “Votic wanted proof that they were all in your harem, but after I explained that you were cousins…” He chuckled. “Well, Rowan is mine, but that’s still blood-related enough.” Nevah waved his hand. “So in their mind, the others will function as your personal guard, but any of the godsired that aren’t your kin need to be added to the harem.”

  I swallowed. I knew Rix would do it if it was part of the deal, but I wasn’t sure I could. Not that Rix wasn’t attractive in her own way, but she was more like a big sister to me and that didn’t feel right.

  “Rix isn’t…” I paused as I searched for the word. “She’s already the captain of my personal guard, though.”

  “Hmmm…” The ivory man stroked his chin. “I think I can swing that. Don’t know why you wouldn’t want to have someone like that warm your bed.” He winked at me. “But if you’re set on the idea—”

  “I am.” I spoke before Aelin had a chance to add her opinion on the matter. “Ether is the only godsired in my harem.”

  “And the lovely Nakten.” Nevah motioned at the Anubis. He shook his head at my reaction. “Sorry, son, it’s non-negotiable.”

  His words took my breath away. Trent had called me his son a few times, but we’d both known that it was just a way for him to keep me safe. Hearing those words from Nevah filled me with hope that he knew the truth.

  “I don’t want someone in my bed that I can’t trust.” I took a deep breath.

  “Votic didn’t put a seal on her, so if she takes yours, she’ll be yours alone.” Nevah nodded. “Which is why if you send her back, he’ll probably kill her.”

  I groaned. “You’re telling me to either let her join me or she dies.”

  “Pretty much.” He gestured at the Anubis. “Just look at her. How can you turn away such a beautiful creature?”

  “There’s more to romance than just looks.” I muttered.

  “Meh, you’re being an idealist.” Nevah snorted. “You want to move slow and take your time? Fine, you do that. It’s not like anyone is going to stand beside your bed and watch.”

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  “You mean you didn’t have that written into the contract?” I scoffed.

  “I’m a lover, not a pervert.” Nevah shrugged. “Besides, this is less of a magical contract and more of a…” He smirked. “Gentlemen’s agreement.”

  “So what you’re saying is that if the Primus decides to go back on their side of the deal, there’s no consequences for them?” I shook my head. “Then why am I agreeing to this?”

  “Because this is how it’s done.” Nevah sighed. “It’s the honor system and when someone isn’t honorable, they get eliminated because the rest of the Gods won’t trust them.”

  “Like how Kire killed Dee?” I heard Ether let out a small gasp behind me. I knew I shouldn’t have said anything, but when it didn’t get the reaction I wanted, I pushed. “Or how about when Vowler was killed? What did she do to deserve that?”

  Nevah’s smile broke for the second time. “Kire had a feud with Tine.” He waved his hand. “Dee and Tres’s father. Kire desolated Tine a century ago and vowed to end his line.” He shook his head. “I’m not saying it’s right, but Kire missed stopping Tres from getting a city and he wasn’t going to miss the opportunity to take Dee off the board.”

  His tone grew more somber. “And you have no idea the things I did to try to save Vowler. She decided to go to war against the Primus and…” He wiped a tear from his eyes. “She was never going to walk away from that.” He wiped his face with his hands. “Which is why I’m trying to stop the same thing from happening to you. Don’t make the same mistakes others have. Take the deal.”

  “That’s it?” I felt a pang of regret at bringing up his daughter. “I just have to stay in my lane and they’ll leave me alone?”

  “Well, Trent can’t take a Mantle either.” He tilted his head. “I guess the Scarlet is a teacher now, so if she took a Mantle that would void the deal too.”

  The relief I felt a moment before vanished. If all the teachers were included in the deal, then Arlo had already taken Wurn’s Mantle. I suddenly felt even less confident about the flimsy agreement.

  “It’s only the teachers that I’m bonded with though?” I tried to think of a way to be vague. “Like what happens if one of the teachers in my year gets replaced next year with a godsired and that teacher goes and takes a city Mantle?”

  Nevah shrugged. “That’s what I said.” He squinted at Miel. “She doesn’t even share a contract with you…” He looked from the Scarlet to Ether, then back. “Oh! I see it now…” He nodded. “The Scarlet counts because her daughter is your wife.”

  “So you’re saying that once I agree to this, I have to make sure everyone follows it?” I glanced at Miel, who nodded. I turned back to Nevah. “I have to tell the rest of them that they can never have a city?”

  “It’s called policing your own.” The ivory man ran his hands through his short, white hair. “So yes, you have to make sure they follow the rules or else everyone suffers. But if you stay in your city and mind your own business, I can assure you. The Primus will leave you alone.”

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