An affectionate smile touched Orion's lips. He was pleased. In his experience, most sought power and comfort. Only a rare few were willing to stand with their partner when a true storm was on the horizon. Soraya was one of the few.
"Easy," he said, his voice a low murmur. "You are the master of this domain, the wielder of the Desert's Authority. While you may not be able to go toe-to-toe with a demigod, you have the home-field advantage. You belong here. They don't."
He slid his arm around her waist, a steadying presence. He could feel the frantic, rabbit-quick beat of her heart. For all her power, the thought of facing a true demigod was terrifying. It was a primal fear she hadn't felt since the first time she'd taken human form—a mix of terror, awe, and inadequacy.
