Free My Life From Hell by Tellulah Darling

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    The being embraced both Theo and Festos warmly.
    “Nyx!” Festos leaned in to kiss both cheeks.
    This was Nyx? Goddess of Night and successful club owner?
    Nyx read my face and gave me an amused smile. “Do not assume all goddesses come in the same flavor, little one.” Her gaze swept slowly over me. “Hmm.”
    My eyes narrowed as I stared her down. Or rather up, since she towered over me. “Yes?” I said.
    She cocked one perfect eyebrow. Perfectly. “A lot of chatter over you. I was not sure what to expect.”
    I shrugged. “Most don’t.”
    “It appears much of the rumor is true.”
    “Probably, more is false.”
    Her smile grew genuine. “Enjoy yourself, Sophie. And welcome, finally, to Nyx.”
    With a sweeping bow, she left us.
    I watched her go, puzzled. “Why finally?”
    Festos made a face. “Persephone wouldn’t be caught dead with this riff raff.”
    Her loss. Happily, I had better taste.
    But no hearing, since with a delighted shriek, Hannah flung herself happily into her boyfriend’s arms and shattered my eardrums. “Pierce!” she squealed.
    I tried not to gape at his appearance like a slack-jawed yokel but I wasn’t entirely successful.
    Hannah turned to me with a raised eyebrow. “Something you want to say, Kitten?”
    Yes. If I’d been capable of speech.
    I was used to Pierce looking like he belonged in an Abercrombie catalogue what with his tousled sun-kissed hair, and amazing green eyes. But this was club porn. He wore slouchy jeans in the same pale gold as Hannah’s dress. Giant gold wings extended from his back. Two bands of brown striped each one. And every feather was long and full. I tried very hard not to make inappropriate comparisons.
    Festos shot me a smirk, so I knew that my smut-mind had company.
    While the wings were definitely impressive, his chest was a masterpiece.
    For starters, it was bare.
    And ripped. Holy crap was he ripped. Compelled like a moth to a flame, I reached out a finger to touch his abs, but Hannah smacked my hand away before I could reach them. I shook it to take away the sting. “Possessive much?”
    “Next time you lose the whole arm. And that’s just because I love you.”
    “Yeah,” Pierce said in the sexy British accent that moved his whole vibe into stratospherically hot territory. “You should see her around girls she doesn’t like.” He grinned, and I could see that it didn’t bother him at all.
    “It’s time to dance,” Festos announced.
    Hannah waved him off. “You guys go.” She stared dreamily at Pierce, her hand on his rock hard belly. “We’re going to go sit and chat.”
    “Nice euphemism,” I teased. I didn’t begrudge her much because, well, most breathing females, and more than a few males, would want to euphemistically chat with Pierce too. All night if possible. But I couldn’t help feeling a little hurt. It was my birthday. She didn’t have to third-wheel dump me so blatantly.
    “We’ll catch up with you soon,” she promised with a breezy wave.
    Theo caught my hand before I scratched more than a couple of times “Come on, Magoo,” he said. “Let’s dance.” He paused and then added, “I think I needed this too.”
    Theo had spent the past seventeen years watching and planning and keeping me safe. All without his god powers. He’d lived like a human boy, hidden from family and friends. I was glad he could finally have this night for himself. Sometimes, a bit of self-care can make as big a difference as all the tough preparation in the world.
    I squeezed his hand.
    In a birthday miracle, Theo pulled me into a huge hug and held me. Theo hated hugging. I mean ha-ted . Even Festos could barely get more than a few seconds out of him. So this?
    This was huge. This was Theo’s “I love you.”
    My toes curled, I got a goofy grin on my face, and felt sunshiny joy pour through my body. Not all meltiness originates from swoony lover boys. Sometimes it comes from best friends. Because love is love and it is