Page 66 of Guided by the Stars
Nora’s hand wraps around mine as she keeps her steady gaze on me. I know she’s curious, she’s like that by nature. She is questioning and wanting to know all the answers, but she stays silent, squeezing my hand tight, encouraging me to continue.
“It was too late for her, her fate was sealed. Lileah became an innocent pawn because she loved a god.” I take a deep breath, looking up at the water to avoid Nora’s eyes. It’s shameful, the evil lengths my family will go to in order to achieve vengeance.
“The thing is, it wasn’t only Zeus and Hades at war. During this time, Aphrodite was pissed that Zeus had chased off another one of her men and the only way Aphrodite can retaliate is with her own powers. She’s the Goddess of Love and Fertility, so it was no coincidence that Lileah ended up having twins, one child from each of the gods.” I swallow deep, knowing how fucked up this sounds. “Zeus sent Kai to the Underworld and I’ve been under his rule, stuck at his side ever since,” I say with hatred, thinking of what’s next. “And Lileah, abandoned by both gods, became Hera’s victim. I was told that the bitch gutted her, killing her after childbirth. Destroying my mother wasn’t enough for her though.” I look back down, so she can see the sincerity behind my next words. “The other day with Hera, that won’t stop. She’s out for revenge and her hands are tied because I’m under Zeus’ protection. Instead, she gets creative and hurts anything I care about.”
Nora reaches her arm behind me, nestling her fingers into the hair on the back of my neck. A simple nurturing touch that I’ve never craved until her. “I don’t know what to say, Alexius. I’m so sorry. You deserve so much more.”
“Nora, I’m not sharing this for pity. What I want is for you to realize what being next to me truly means. I was created by evil and each day I face ruthless gods that are unconcerned about the terror they unleash. It’s like I live with a constant dark storm looming over my head and never disappearing. Being close to me sucks you into that darkness. You don’t deserve that.” I hit my head against the tree, looking up into the sky, frustrated. She has no idea how much it pains me when I’m not near her. Then when I cave, surrendering myself to the feelings I have for her, I’m left terrified. One slip up and my own flesh and blood wouldn’t hesitate to rip her apart, just to spite me. “I warned you I’m drowning, losing control, but keeping you at a distance is the right thing. My family are the ones hunting you. Being next to me means being in danger.”
Again she’s silent as she leans into me, pulling my arms tighter around her, caging us together. She holds me in place, letting time fly by and the words drift away. If she were smarter, she would head back to the safety Daemyn can give her. If I was braver, I would force her to, but instead, here we sit, drawn to this dangerous comfort we find with each other.
“There’s a huge flaw in your reasoning, Alexius.” I open my eyes, peeking down at her. “You think pushing me away keeps me safe. It doesn’t.” She jumps up, waving her hands around. “If you haven’t noticed, I’m here. Whether you decide to put down that wall of yours or not, it doesn’t matter. I’m still in danger, with or without you. But to be clear, if it wasn’t for you taking me, I would already be under their control. It seems to me that by your side is where I’ve been safest.”
“That easy?” I look up at her and she nods with a sexy grin that I cannot resist.
“Now are you done yet? Because whether you’re by my side or not, you still owe me. Your secret was jaw-dropping. I’ll give you that.” She doesn’t let me argue as she backs away, smiling. “But you still have a bet to fulfill,” she teases, despite looking nervous. She’s breathing in deeper, looking unsure, and her hand trembles as she reaches down, grabbing the edge of her shirt. “And we need a break. Let’s go for a swim.”
My mouth hangs open as she surprises the shit out of me, yanking her shirt up over her head, leaving her in a dark purple bra. It hugs her tits just right, pushing them up and stunning me into silence. I lick my lips greedily watching, her body capturing my entire attention as her fingers undo the knot holding up those boxers.
“Fuck, Nora,” I breath out, scrambling to my feet and trailing my eyes down her body. She’s standing in front of me in a matching bra and underwear, biting her damn lip and looking like my dream come true, testing my patience.
“Beast, like I said, you need to get out of your own head. Forget everything for just a moment and join me.” Her innocent voice is a bit shaky but full of purpose as she turns, making my eyes drift to that silky edge of her underwear. They cup her ass just right as she walks away into the water.By the gods, what is this woman doing to me!
She dives under without a care and only turns my way after reaching the middle of the water. “Now come on. Get in and change the sky,” she teases with water dripping from her head, leaking down her wet body, making me want to lick off every last drop.Fuck it!
I toss my clothes to the side, while calling in the clouds and chuckle when she gasps at the first drops. She’s amazed,lifting her head towards the sky and laughing as the rain washes over her. If she wants to be wet, I’ll make sure she’s soaked.
“You don’t play fair, woman.” I make my way towards her, staring at the raindrops falling onto her skin, dripping from her chin and landing between her breasts. “I’m not leaving you alone.” My tongue is on her before my mind has a chance to argue. I lick, starting at the lacy material between her breasts and making my way over her chin, meeting her lips with my tongue.
“Fuck!” she moans against me. Her little fingers reach forward and grab me by the waist. “Nothing about you is fair, Beast!”
Her lips come crashing against mine, her tongue flicking against the seam of my mouth, wanting permission to enter as she pushes her body against mine. “Nora,” I groan against her lips, forcing down the need to grab her legs and wrap them around me.
She shakes her head. “Take a risk, Alexius.” Her palms skate up my back, her soft touch burning deep into my veins as she tangles her fingers into my hair. “Make us worth it,” she pleads, pulling me in for more and with my restraint lost, I dip down, devouring the neck I marked earlier.
“Alexius?” she purrs, my teeth grazing her pulse.
“Alexius,” she says more firmly as she pulls away. “I hear something. It’s faint, too far away. But maybe we should go, just in case?” Her words bring me back to reality, fracturing the trance she had me in. “Stop!” I yell at her and portal us out, landing us on my bed, aware that Daemyn won’t be far behind us. I sensed him approach us at Crystal Waters once I let the rain fall. He better have some answers.
Sure enough, he throws the door open within seconds, panting, “What happened?”
“You tell me, did you feel her?” I spit out, looking down at Nora. She’s underneath me with wide eyes. Her body is shaking from the cold air hitting our wet skin. I have no idea what she heard, but her power shot through me, catching me off guard. It wasn’t strong, but I’m not comfortable just letting it rest.
“No and nobody else. I shielded anyway when I saw you panic. What happened?” He continues to yell, standing over us as I scan the girl beneath me and her eyes widen.
“You watched us?” she shrieks.
“Love, it’s not what you think—” I start, having no idea what she’s thinking and turn my attention to Daemyn. His arms are crossed, looking down at us completely relaxed. Way too relaxed. “Daemyn out!” I order, but he shakes his head refusing to budge and increasing my frustration. “I need to get dressed and get to the Hall. I’m not doing that until you have your fucking eyes off of her.”
“Why the Hall? Daemyn didn’t sense anybody and the noise could have been anything. It was too far away.” Nora grows serious, pushing me slightly off of her and the asshole actually smirks at getting a better glimpse of her.
“Baby Girl, I got to say that purple suits you a lot more than my boxers.”
“Get the fuck out!” I roar, causing him to laugh and Nora to flinch.
“Alexius, calm down,” she says quietly, placing her hand around my arm. “Daemyn said nothing was there.”
“You said it yourself. You heard something,” I say too harshly through clenched teeth, annoyed with another damnobstacle. “I told you everything we do is a risk. We can’t afford to be reckless like that.”
