Page 46 of Definitely Dead

“Good point.” Unzipping his jacket, he shrugged it off and tied it around Tyr’s waist by the sleeves. “I guess that will have to do.”

He honestly didn’t see why it mattered, but it made Sunne happy, so he just smiled and took his hand as they continued toward the village.

Eventually, the dirt path and plush grass gave way to brick-paved streets lined with enchanted trees and streetlamps made of glowing orbs inside brass lanterns. The buildings were simple but well designed, constructed largely of clay and smooth stone…and maybe a touch of magic.

Carved signs hung from the awnings, pride evident in the care and craftsmanship of each one. They passed a cafe, the scent of freshly brewed coffee spilling from the open windows, and a bakery that smelled of cinnamon and yeast.

“Cinnamon rolls!” Sunne exclaimed, tilting his head back and inhaling deeply. “I need a shower and about three days of sleep, but we are definitely coming back.”

Tyr grinned. Hades called this a punishment?

They continued down the wide lane, still following the emerald path, and Sunne pointed out every shop, his excitement growing with each new discovery.

An apothecary. A florist. A small grocer. A barber. A blacksmith. The town really seemed to have everything.

“No way!” Sunne gasped. “A bookstore? Are you kidding me?” He chewed his bottom lip and peeked up at Tyr through his lashes. “Do you think they’re hiring?”

Tyr caressed his hair, brushing it back from his face, and pressed a kiss to his temple. “It doesn’t hurt to ask.”

And he’d make sure the owner had a reason to say yes.

Past the shops, the lanterns, and the quiet coziness, they stepped onto another dirt lane, this one narrower and only slightly worn. The grass curved lazily over the edges, and tufts of Kelly green grew down the center of the trail.

In a quiet hollow on the edge of the forest, their journey ended, the glowing path leading them to…absolutely nothing. Just another open field set against the backdrop of rolling hills.

“I hate him,” Sunne grumbled. “I hate him so much.”

Tyr sighed and rubbed his tired eyes. Sadly, it didn’t even surprise him. Hades could be a royal dick, and sending them on a trek to nowhere would definitely fit his idea of a punchline.

“Come on.” He placed a hand on his mate’s shoulder in comfort and solidarity. “Maybe there’s somewhere we can stay in the village.”

“Yeah, I—wait.” Lifting his arm, Sunne pointed toward the hills. “Look.”

The air shimmered and sparkled, like a spray of golden fireworks, and a small cabin materialized in the middle of the field, complete with a wide porch and a set of wooden steps. Warm, orange light glowed from the windows, beckoning them closer, and tendrils of smoke curled skyward from the stone chimney.

“Wow,” Sunne breathed. “Is this ours?”

“It would appear so.” Taking his mate’s hand, he pulled him along the path toward their new home. “Let’s check it out.”

It wasn’t large or lavish, but it had a charm all its own, and it fit Sunne perfectly. Decorated in rich colors of gold and teal with a leather sofa and matching chairs situated around a cozy fireplace, it radiated warmth and safety. Large windows with cream-colored drapes provided a beautiful view of the forest and the hills, while also opening the space to an abundance of natural light.

A teak bookcase took up one of the corners, the shelves only half-filled, leaving plenty of room for Sunne to add his own treasures from the bookstore. Beside it, a soft cotton throw had been draped over the back of a wooden rocking chair in front of a recessed window.

The kitchen was small but functional, and the cabinets and pantry already contained all the necessities. A round table with two place settings occupied an area in front of the back door, a natural separation between the two spaces.

The cabin contained only one bedroom, just big enough for a king-sized bed and a couple of matching nightstands, though the walk-in closet was a nice touch. The attached bathroom boasted stone tiles and oil-bronzed fixtures, with a massive clawfoot tub perched beneath the window.

Sunne, however, rushed right past it without so much as a glance, going directly to the shower to turn on the faucet. Hot water sprayed from the showerhead, the steam instantly fogging the glass enclosure.

“I take it back,” he muttered as he stripped out of his dirty, wrinkled clothes. “I love Hades. He’s amazing. I will never say another bad word about him.”

Removing the jacket from his waist, Tyr followed his mate, groaning when he stepped under the heated spray. Together they washed the dirt away, using soap from unmarked bottles that smelled of sandalwood and amber, sharing soft kisses as they scrubbed each other clean.

Closing his eyes, Sunne hummed a song under his breath that Tyr didn’t recognize, and he wore a strange smile, as if he knew a secret but wouldn’t tell.

“You seem happy.”

“I died. Switched bodies with a murderer. Almost got eaten by a zombie wolf in a haunted forest.” He opened his eyes and stared up at Tyr, his expression filled with quiet reverence. “And I’m still here. With you. That seems like a pretty good reason to be happy.”

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