"That makes one of us."
"I've yet to meet someone who couldn't be handled, given the right approach."
Gabriel smiled. Men like him and Rhyn didn't know how to be diplomatic like Andre. He began to think more and more that raising Andre was worth breaking the thousands of Immortal Laws it cost.
"It is a shame about Erik," Andre continued. "I don't suppose you will find a need to raise him or Kris as you did me."
"If I need to, I will," Gabriel said. "Right now, I'm wondering what Darkyn wants with his soul."
"Ask him."
"You really want me to see Darkyn, don't you?" Gabriel crossed his arms. "There's still some connection between him and my mate, isn't there?"
"Connection is a strong word."
Great. Gabriel wasn't certain what Andre wanted him to know. He did know, however, that the last time he avoided a deity - Fate - he ended up fucking up his world. He didn't think he could do much worse, but the fact the Dark One held the key to something he might need to know was not promising. At all.
"I'll consider it," he said. "As much as I dread it."
"Gabriel, I don't want to turn you against her," Andre continued. "It's a hard line for me to walk. She does love you. She always has. You should remember that."
"It's hard to believe when I feel like she's lying to me."
"I know it is."
Andre didn't deny she was lying to him, which left Gabriel even less certain what to do about his mate. His instinct was to do what he had last week: put up some sort of barrier between them, until he saw she could be trusted. He didn't want to be hurt again. Ever. Or risk that there was something else going on that would drive his mate back to Darkyn for whatever reason.
Then again, putting up that barrier was what drove her to Darkyn after their romantic night on the beach. He didn't give her the reassurance she sought about whether or not they had a real future together, and she brokered a deal with the Dark One in a desperate attempt to ensure she had a chance with Gabriel.
For what it's worth, Gabriel, I've always loved you. These were the words of the goddess not the human. This much he knew.