SIXTEEN

One of two things had happened: Time was frozen, or I was frozen in time.

I stared at Deimos, waiting for him to laugh and tell me he was testing out a joke on me, looking to see how I would react. He did not.

I was not frozen in time. Time was not frozen. My legs carried me backwards, keeping me going until my back hit a flat surface behind me that wouldn’t budge. There was nothing but air and a few feet separating me and him now.

“You can’t possibly be serious,” I said with a disbelieving shake of my head. “I’m your brother’s mate, remember? Conrad’s mate—”

“Yes, I understand that. And that, precisely, is why you’re also my mate.” I didn’t understand. I wasn’t sure I wanted to. I didn’t want to say anything that would prompt him to explain it to me.

“Athena—”

“Don’t. I don’t want to hear it.” Not yet. Maybe not ever.

“You actually do have to listen to me at some point. I suggest you get the whole thing explained to you now, to get things over with.” He shoved his hands in his