Page 74 of Scion of Chaos

He stretches his wings and lifts his central head high. All the smaller heads twist and writhe in excitement. His enthusiasm is infectious, but my own excitement doesn’t last long when we part ways at the cavern’s wide opening. He lifts into the air, enormous wings carrying him high into the shimmering sky above and out over the prison towers. When I resume my climb to my quarters, the dread sinks deep into my gut.

I have to meethimnext. To think I was more afraid of meeting Fate than my own sire. Fate’s request in exchange for their half of the key was not ideal, but after realizing what Fate really desires, I’m less concerned about the consequences. Besides, their intentions brought Nemea to me.

Chaos, however, will only ask for one thing, and it’s the one thing I won’t want to give.

I stew on this until I reach my room and lay her down on the bed. The prison’s magic—my magic—automatically summons a fresh cover that slides up over her, replacing the missing one. On the table beside the bed rests the goblet filled to the brim with the cocktail of semen we saved from her adventure. That she even wants it suggests she’s come to a deeper understanding of the magic at work here. Imbibing the mixture will bind her even closer with those of us who contributed.

It’s strange to me that among all the higher races, only the Nymphaea still observe that particular custom. But then they glean more from bodily fluids than the other races, save for primordials and gods.

No wonder Chrysaor, Cerberus, and Campe all looked so dejected when I sent them away. They will have to wait their turns. Alcides will come to her in his own time.

I should return to Erika and get the next part of our quest over with. But watching Nemea sleep has me frozen. She’s snoring softly, her veins faintly pulsing with inner light. Her octopus tattoo shimmers with its own glow, one of the tentacles that curls around her upper arm seeming to writhe and curl possessively around her biceps. I tilt my head, watching it, but it goes still.

I envy the creature for its proximity to her, and in a rare fit of impulsivity, I strip down to my skin, then climb into bed beside her. Slipping carefully beneath the covers, I slide close and drift my arm across her belly. She emits a soft sigh and rolls onto her side, scooting back against me. Her soft, round ass presses right against my cock, and I freeze, heart pounding as arousal makes it perk up.

I curse myself for stripping entirely. This wasn’t what I wanted. I merely desired contact. But it only takes a minor output of power to cover my hips in a pair of briefs, securing my errant cock away from Nemea’s perfect ass.

I remain propped on one elbow, staring down at her for several moments, still not quite trusting my good fortune. I don’t even realize her breathing rhythm has changed until she lets out a sigh.

“Vesh, will you just lie down and hold me already? Quit staring like a creep.”

I blink, then can’t suppress a laugh. “Does it bother you that I’m so enthralled by your very presence?”

“You act like you don’t even know how to snuggle. I pity the poor women you’ve slept with in the past.”

“I don’t sleep, so I’ve never actuallysleptwith a woman before,” I admit.

Her comment tugs at some part of me who has longed for this very moment without realizing it. I lift my free hand and drift my fingertips over her temple, hooking her hair behind her ear. She sighs, and her eyelids flutter open as she turns her head just enough to give me a sidelong look.

She frowns. “Then why do you have a bed? Or is this just for fucking?”

“This bed has only existed since you arrived.”

She swallows as she absorbs this information, and we regard each other in silence for a moment. Then she says, “Am I the first woman you’ve ever brought back here?”

“You’re the only woman I’ve ever allowed inside me who wasn’t destined for a locked cell or pit. And if you’re curious about whom I fuck and where, I’ve always restricted that kind of fun to whatever brothel I found the woman at. In recent years, it happens at the casino.”

She frowns. “The Pandemonium. You still work there even though you’re responsible for all of this?” Her gaze flits around the room, but her look encompasses all of the prison.

“I don’t really have a choice. Chaos is my master, so my guards and I do his bidding. Even if it means keeping the peace at a modern gambling den in the mortal world.”

“But yesterday you said he already knew about me, so you were taking me here to protect me from him. You’re defying his wishes, aren’t you? So youdohave a choice.”

“I don’t make a habit of defying him, but you’re right. I’m not technically compelled to do what he says. My very nature wouldn’t allow it. But to defy him can be dangerous. If he learns I have you, it won’t go well.”

“Would he hurt you?” she asks, her voice tight with worry.

I’m struck by her concern and give her a slight smile. “He can cause me pain, yes, but it would hurt far worse to lose you now that I’ve found you, Nemea. I’m willing to risk it.”

A million questions fill her gaze, and she chews over them for another moment before coming to some personal conclusion, then sighing and turning away without asking anything more. She pushes her butt back again and grabs my wrist, placing my hand over her bare breast. She’s warm and soft, and all I want to do is sink into her. My life is cold and hard on good days, but it needs to be; I am the very embodiment of justice and condemnation. I’m not even sure I know how to be tender, but something about her compels me to try.

“Well, this is how snuggling works. You hold me, and we sleep like this. Or I sleep, since you don’t, but we just… exist… together… touching.” She drawls out each word, her voice growing fainter before her breathing slows again as she drifts off.

“We will do more than merely exist together, Nemea,” I whisper, then dip my head to press a kiss against the dark ink covering her shoulder. This time I’m positive I see movement. Curious, I pull the covers back until the side of her body is revealed, along with the face of the octopus. Big, dark eyes with horizontal slits stare up at me, watchful and cautious. I chuckle.

“You don’t sleep either, do you, friend? Well, between the two of us, we can watch over her always.”

35

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