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women are with them. This way. But first, we must inform my people of your status.”
    “And just what is that?”
    “Consider yourself a political prisoner. There will be no ransom negotiation, though.” He wrapped visible ropes around her wrists and slung her over his shoulder again. He marched through his hall, her bound and helpless, for all to see. She could feel the pride in himself thrumming through his body. Damn him.
    “You think keeping me prisoner will serve you well?” she asked after he’d put her back on her feet and removed the ropes. “I have those who will come after me.”
    “And I have those who will fight them. You are mine. And it is here that you will stay.”
    At the expression on his face, she shivered.
    For the first time, Nelciana wondered if the Druid god was far more dangerous than she’d ever thought.

Chapter Sixteen
     
     
     
    You cannot keep me in here forever, Lotho. I am a goddess, as well, and I have a Kind dependent upon me in the uncertainties that are to come.”
    “Then you should not have traveled through the barriers to another world when your people need you so greatly.”
    His cool tone was so infuriating Nelciana wanted to scream, to yell at him to just show some emotion for once.
    But that would be a useless waste of her breath—he was the god of logic for a reason. And that reason didn’t include emotions.
    She’d known that long before they’d lay down together—why did it anger her so now? She knew that he would not change, so why did she care?
    “You cannot keep me here. There will be a fallout, if not from Erasomophus and the rest of the Gaian House, then from the others. The Laquazzeana will intervene—”
    “Have someone else fighting your battles, already? More proof that you should not have left.”
    “How is that proof? You want to protect the worlds for our babes, why shouldn’t I do my part?”
    He stared at her, and for a moment she reveled in the fact that she’d stumped him. “Your part is keeping them safe from the worlds. My part is keeping the worlds safe for them.”
    “Lotho, it doesn’t always work that way.”
    “Maybe not, but I will make my best attempt. There is nothing else I can do. This suite was designed for you. The nursery is close, and my suite is directly across the hall. If you need me for anything.”
    “I won’t.”
    “As you wish, then.” He started for the door then stopped, turned back to look at her. “Nelciana, I know you are angry with me, but in time you’ll realize this was the best decision. The babes need their mother, far more than the world needs another witch.”
    “Lotho, I am both. And I can be no other way.”

Chapter Seventeen
     
     
     
    She was plotting something against him; Lothonos did not doubt it. She was biding her time until she could escape him. He did not doubt that there would be those who came for her. But he would stop them.
    Did she think him so foolish to not have considered attacks upon his home? He had spent the past century working on safeguards for the children, in addition to those that had long been in place.
    He was the god of predictions, strategy, logic, possibilities. Odds were high that his home would eventually be targeted.
    Lothonos was confident that his home was as close to impenetrable as it was possible.
    Only the fires of the Three Hells would be strong enough to make even a dent in his safeguards. “Do you wish to see our babes, or not?”
    “Of course I do.”
    He smiled. She would tolerate any treatment, wouldn’t she, if it meant being with their children? Was it wrong of him to use that against her, if it was for her own well-being? “Then follow me. Our children await.”
    She walked beside him. He actually felt a bit bereft that he was no longer carrying her.
    Nelciana had smelled like sun, and earth, and wildflowers and her body had curved against his so perfectly. Hard had met soft, the way it was supposed to.
    Now she walked beside him, impatience