Page 79 of Damned and Broken Gods
Wanted him.
Needed him.
He stilled, tension rippling through his frame, and the next moment, he was off me. Off the bed. Standing with his back to me, his hands on his hips. “Leela…” His shoulders heaved. “I am so very sorry. I…I’ll be back.” He strode from the room, closing the door.
I lay staring at the ceiling for several beats, my heart in my mouth, my eyes hot and wet with tears before finding the energy to drag myself to the washroom and clean up.
A cold splash of water cooled my flushed cheeks, but my eyes were wide and bright, the pupils blown, my lips fuller—bruised from the kiss we’d shared.
What had I done? Why had I…Urgh. We’d crossed a line, and Araz…he hadn’t even…He’d given me what he knew I needed but taken nothing in return aside from a kiss.
Guilt spiraled in my chest. I needed to make this right.
Back in the bedroom, Araz lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, one arm hooked under his head.
I took a breath and approached, stopping at the foot of the bed and shifting from foot to foot.
Araz lifted his head, fixing me with a slight frown. “Leela? Is everything all right?”
“How can you ask me that? I should be asking you. I made you watch me…and then you didn’t even get to…Urgh…” I covered my face with my hands. “I’m so selfish.”
He let out a surprised laugh, which had me dropping my hands to look across at him. “You think that’s funny?”
He bit back a smile. “Let me clarify. You believe that allowing me to watch you unravel was some kind of…punishment?”
Okay, when he put it like that. “I…But you didn’t get to…you know…come.”
He arched a brow. “And why would you assume such a thing?”
I blinked at him, and he blinked right back, and it clicked. His hasty exit from the room… “Oh…”
“Oh, indeed. Now come here and let me hold you.”
I climbed into bed and snuggled close.
“Do you think you can sleep now?”
I stifled a yawn. “I’m not sure.”
“Then let me help.” He began to hum, a low soothing sound that wrapped around me like silk. The last thing I remembered was the warmth of his chest and the safety of being held. By him. Only him.
Chapter 28
My Fist. Your Face
ARAZ
As we stand on the beach on the eastern side of the isle waiting for the drohi troop and the Shattiraksha to arrive, Leela’s excitement is a buzz against my skin.
I have to admit, I’m a little intrigued myself. Shantivan is new territory for me, and although I’ve heard of the Shattiraksha, I’ve yet to see one.
The demigods stand close by with their drohi, dressed in the dark green training outfits of loose pants cinched at the ankle and waist and tunic tops that are loose enough not to restrict movement but not so baggy as to catch.
The females have their hair tied back, as instructed, and eager eyes look out to sea. Three small boats are anchored offshore, ready to carry us to the larger vessels that will be housed atop the ocean beasts.
“You’ve seen them, right?” Priti says to Vick. “What are they like?”
He shakes his head. “No. When I did the trial, we didn’t use the Shattiraksha. They were out to sea patrolling.”
