Page 58 of Guided by the Stars
A chuckle escapes me and I slap her ass. This day has been perfect, better than expected. And yet, I can’t shake this feeling of dread that looms over me. I glance over to the pond where the mist no longer hovers over the water. We figured she had water abilities of some sort when she drank the Lethe and didn’t lose her memories, but if Hades ever found out…
I’m jolted from my thoughts when she shifts, the goosebumps on her arm catching my attention. “Are you cold?” I ask.
She tilts her head to look at me, and I see a lazy smile spread across her face. “No,” she says, covering her mouth in an attempt to hide a yawn, “everything is perfect.”
She wiggles her hips and presses into me as she sighs, burrowing her head back into my arm. I close my eyes, emotions I never expected to have are stirring within the dark confines of my heart. Peace, affection, and possibly the most shocking one of all, acceptance.
We lay in silence for a while, gazing toward the sky. The clouds above us are thick and fluffy, moving slowly through the air above us.
“Do you think Nora is watching the sky in Olympus?”
“I don’t know,” I say, turning on my side to face her. “It’s different there, everything is golden and glittering in the sunshine. The bone deep chill doesn’t reach them in their tower of superiority.”
“Have you been there then?” she asks, tilting her head up and raising her brows.
“A few times. I’m only permitted once a year and while it is beautiful, some of the gods detract from the beauty.”
She shoots me a quick glance, her eyes searching before looking back to the sky. “Well I hope she’s watching the sky now. It’s our thing. Doesn’t matter if it’s night or day, we always found a way to watch the sky together whenever we needed amoment to just…be. Maybe she’ll feel me doing this and we can both take comfort in that.”
I don’t respond, knowing there’s nothing I can say right now to ease that pain. Zeus and Alexius are shits, and I don’t even want to think about what her friend is dealing with. But I wasn’t lying earlier. They aren’t worth the sacrifice and I won’t use them to buy my freedom. Not after everything we’ve found out and not after getting to know Adriane.
I give my girl a bit more time before we get dressed and head out. Apprehension fills me as we walk back. Time always seems to slip through my fingers when I come here and today was no different. Will Hades have noticed? How am I going to get her out of here and how am I going to save her friend?
This afternoon made me finally admit that I’m not willing to do whatever Hades wants in return for my freedom. I won’t see her paraded about as a shiny new toy. The cost is too steep. If she’s only here as a power play, to be kept away from Zeus and the other gods to prove that Hades is as strong as his brothers, then I’ll make damn sure she’s made comfortable and wants for nothing.
Something passed between us today, something I can’t name and am too scared to explore. Adriane doesn’t seem to notice my distracted state, she’s turning her head from side to side, enraptured by the dark beauty around us.
Once we’re back near the palace grounds, I take my hand from hers and stuff it into my pocket. No one needs to guess my feelings for her. I have too many weaknesses used against me already, fuck if I need to give them something else.
We round the corner to the gardens, and as we walk, a prickle of unease runs down my spine. Adriane seems to feel the same thing, her steps faltering, and I follow the direction of her gaze.
The veranda.
Hades stands there, his black eyes staring at us as we make our way through the gardens. He’s wearing a dark gray himation and holding onto his scepter with the usual pissed off, constipated frown on his face. He says nothing but he never takes his eyes from us.
Once we’re no longer in view of the veranda, Adriane looks to me. “Who was the dude wearing the blanket?”
“Oh, him? No one of consequence,” I say, my tone harsh to dissuade her from asking more questions.
She halts and grabs my arm. “Fuck off, Kai. Don’t ruin the nice day we just had. Cut the bullshit, who was that?”
“That was the King of the Underworld. It doesn’t matter, let’s go,” I reply, continuing to walk. I can tell she’s pissed at me, but she doesn’t understand. The way he examined her, his eyes full of expectation…something is off.
Jax is there when I open the door, doom etched on his features, and that’s when I realize what’s on the bed. I move closer, picking up the note left on the box just as Jax speaks,
“Adriane, there’s a package for you.”
Nora
When Control is Lost
“Looking for something?” I mutter. I’ve seen so much happen in this kitchen, why am I even surprised that they can still throw me off guard? Here he is, body still moist from his shower, bent over, wearing only a pair of boxers, and looking for who knows what in that fridge. He’s taking his sweet time, knowing full well I can’t look anywhere else in the room.
“Maybe I was just waiting for you to come down the stairs,” he chuckles, shaking his ass. “Come on. You know you want to spank it.”
The sound of my hand slapping his backside stuns both of us. He doesn’t move and I stare at the thin black material, refusing to blink.
Then logic catches up. I jump out of my trance, scooting myself around the table. The wood becoming the only barrier between me and the god I just awoke. “Oops, sorry,” I shrug, playing innocent.
