Page 7 of Make Mine Nymph

She quirks her eyebrows. “You’re sure it’s not only because you’ve got family in the Other?”

“I’m not gonna lie and say that I’m not happy that my cousin is here. I came here to keep her safe, but there’s no one in either world better at the task than that creepy husband of hers. She found love and stayed. Even if she could leave, I know Will. She wouldn’t because of her Aiden. It’s the same for me and Alex. I think you got it wrong when I asked if he’d be mine forever. I want that. Lord help me, but I want that arrogant bastard more than I’ve wanted anything in my life. And I’m a possessive bitch. I won’t share him.”

Noelle grins. Over the last few months I’ve learned you can never predict how one of the Twelve will react. The way I just snapped at her, I expect Alex’s twin to take at least a little offense to my tone—but she doesn’t. She just grins.

“I’m glad to hear that. And, if you really mean it, I think I might be able to help.”

Now, I’m pretty sure I can figure out how to seduce Alex on my own. I didn’t before because I figured he had his own hesitations, but if this is all about his uncertainty that I’d choose him to be my forever soulmate? Fuck that. I’m all aboard the “convince Alex to hop into bed with me” train.

Then again, there’s something about Noelle’s grin that has me cocking my head slightly to the side as I take in her impish appearance. “Really? How?”

Leaning over, Noelle reaches for the bow and quiver she never is out of reach of. She shrugs the quiver over her head before slinging the bow over her shoulder. “You’ll see.” Her silver eyes sparkle. “Besides, I owe him one.”

CHAPTER 4

THE WINNER IS…

DAPHNE

Noelle knows the dark woods almost as well as Alex does.

I say almost because I have to point out that we’ve passed the same bush with oddly purple flowers on it twice before Noelle mumbles that she might’ve made a wrong turn when we first left the cabin. Me? I’m not a woodsy kind of girl. I only noticed because purple is my favorite color, and I’ve never seen a bush growing like that in Central Park. It caught my attention, otherwise I would’ve had no clue we were walking in circles.

She quickly course-corrects, and a few minutes later we’re sneaking up on the two guys.

Not surprisingly, I’m drawn to Alex first. Despite the chill, he’s wearing a chiton that leaves his sculpted back on display; of course, since he oozes heat even when Apollo is contained. The sun shining through the cap of leaves over our head glints off of his golden torque and the metallic bands hugging his bare arms. He has his bow in one hand, twirling a gleaming, golden arrow idly with the fingers on his other.

Hunter is standing about six feet away from him. He must feel Alex’s warmth, too, since he removed his cloak. It’s folded up, placed on the ground near his boots. As we spy them, he’s just finished shooting another arrow.

Noelle’s challenge was pretty simple. The two were supposed to go back and forth, making trick shots with their weapons, until we met up with them. As the only non-archer here, somehow I got the gig of being judge for this farce. Dumb, really. Like I’m going to side against Alex, right?

But even though I’m pretty sure all four of us know that Noelle just used a god’s pride to get those two together—leaving me and Noelle to have some girl talk, or some shit like that—they’re taking it seriously. I can tell from the way Alex’s muscles bunch after Hunter takes his shot, and how much of a smirk finds its way to his voice as he sarcastically congratulates the other man.

Forget the archery. I’m finally getting my first peek at Noelle’s husband without the cloak. And, sure, I knew his face was something to drool over, but I’ve seen my fair share of pretty men. Hunter? He’s huge. Not the kind of guy I’d go for myself—I prefer lean yet muscular types like my god—but hell if he doesn’t just have me getting a better look.

I elbow Noelle in her side. She’s half a head shorter than me, so I have to crouch a little to do it. “Whoa. I knew he was big, but damn. And you still don’t want to give me a hint about the rest of him?”

“Let’s just say Hunter’s big all around,” smirks Noelle. “Now shh. I need to concentrate.”

Concentrate?

Moving a few steps away from me, she lifts her bow. A glowing silver arrow appears between her slender fingers by magic—only, it’s not just the arrow that’s glowing. Her eerily pale hand has a shine, too, as she pulls the bowstring back and prepares to let loose an arrow of her own.

It all happens so fast. By the time I part my lips, ready to ask her what she’s doing, she’s already shot the damn thing.

It whistles away, flying right between the two guys. Well, no. That’s not right. It soars, but I’m pretty sure it clips Alex’s arm as it passes him.

I’m right.

Alex lets out a sharp curse. It’s in Ancient Greek so I have no clue what he said—and I’m not about to poke the other Daphne dozing deep inside of me to find out—but the sentiment is pretty damn obvious.

As the arrow finds its home in a tree far in the distance, both men shoot their heads over their shoulders, finding us immediately.

Noelle grins, then stalks forward to meet them. Figuring I might as well, I stomp behind her.

Alex’s hand covers his bicep. “Really?” he drawls, addressing his sister. “I thought your aim was better than that.” He spreads his index and middle fingers, leaving a gap that he peeks at while mumbling, “Zeus knows it was when you puked on my sandals.”

“Holy shit, Alex. Am I never going to live that down?”