Of Water and Madness by Katie Jennings Read Free Book Online Page A

he’d ever been. And from the look in her eyes when she glanced at him, he’d say he was doing a pretty good job at making her happy as well.
    Thinking of their rendezvous in the greenhouse earlier that day, he leaned in to whisper something in her ear that had her clutching his hand tighter and biting her bottom lip. He reached out to tilt her face toward his own, and kissed her lushly.
    For over an hour, they sat and stared out at their family, whispering to each other and laughing, enjoying all the mini dramas that seemed so prevalent on Euphora. Clynn was arguing politics with Lucian, while Rohan was with Sebastian discussing some historical event Liam had never heard of. Clarity was with Serendipity and the other Muses, including his little sister, and they were all huddled together near the grand piano, with Trinity playing a soft, sweet song.
    Thea was with Brock and the Fates, looking radiant as always. Liam had always admired Thea, and respected her with both reverence and wonder. She had really been his first love, until Rhiannon of course. But when he’d been a baby, his father said that he wanted nothing more than to be held by the lovely and powerful Thea. And then Rhiannon had come into the world, and he’d found the true love of his life.
    Rian and Capri were on the sofa beside him, along with Brogan, who was busy discussing some sort of Fury business regarding an American Senator with Rian. Capri looked politely interested, but her eyes kept wandering over to where Blythe was sitting, looking agitated and sipping wine with Jax while he kicked back and quietly read a book.
    When Liam followed Capri’s eyes, he noticed why she looked so anxious. Blythe was glaring at both her father and her mother, and there was fire brimming under the surface, he was sure of it. She was clearly trying to reign in some kind of frustrated urge, and he could only hope she found a way to release it safely before she exploded.
    “What’s wrong?” Rhiannon nudged him, looking concerned at the apprehension in his eyes.
    “Blythe’s pissed off about something,” he murmured, frowning. “I should probably go talk to her.”
    Rhiannon nodded as he began to stand up, but it was already too late.
    Blythe shot to her feet and bolted straight for her mother, Nyxa, getting in the woman’s face in a flash.
    “ I’m sick of this! ” she snarled, angrily stabbing a finger into Nyxa’s chest, her eyes on fire.
    Jax tossed aside his book and was about to rise to his feet to stop her, but when she shot a warning glare his way, he hesitated. He wasn’t about to get in the middle of that hell storm, not while she was still the aggressor. If she got herself in trouble, then he’d step in, regardless of what she said. He wasn’t going to let her get hurt over her own fiery temper.
    “Sick of what?” Nyxa growled in return, shoving Blythe’s hand away, her own face twisted with haughty rage.
    “Now Blythe, calm down,” Brock said suddenly, placing his hands on his daughter’s shoulders to steer her away from Nyxa.
    She just smacked his hands away and turned on him. “I’m sick of both of you ignoring me like I’m not even around anymore. You guys got back together and now suddenly I don’t exist!”
    “That’s not true, babydoll.” Brock reached out to her again, only to have her back away furiously. Instead he simply tucked his hands into the pockets of his jeans and tried a consoling smile. “I come to work with you as often as you’ve asked me, don’t I?”
    Blythe dramatically rolled her eyes. “Sure, fine, congratulations. But that doesn’t make up for blowing me off all the other times I want to hang out with you. We’re supposed to be rekindling this father/daughter relationship that we never got to have, and instead you’re giving all your attention to her .”
    “You selfish little brat–”
    “Nyxa, stop.” Thea stepped in, sending a warning look at the woman before she did something she’d regret.