Page 9 of Devastation
"We will tackle each obstacle one step at a time, together. You are not alone in carrying this burden. In case you don't already know, we'll follow you to Hell and back."
Her lips part slightly at my words, flaring with lust and love. The most beautiful combination.
Reaching out tentatively, I run my thumb along her lower lip. A shiver runs through her body as she opens her mouth further and sucks my finger into her mouth.
Shock crosses her face as if she can't believe she did that, and I instantly pull my finger away, not wanting her to feel uncomfortable. Cupping her face, I assure her, "There is nothing wrong with trying new things. I, for one, found that to be extremely attractive. Don't second guess your instincts."
Dropping a kiss onto her forehead, I smile against her skin as she whispers, "I just feel like I'm not allowed to want things like tha—to want to lose myself in the moment and forget the world right now, while Ash is still gone. It feels wrong."
She is so damned sweet and selfless sometimes that it shocks me. Who is this woman, and what did she do with the Lana who, just a few months ago, was challenging us to belching contests?
Pulling her into my chest, I grimace, following that train of thought further. I guess trauma and loss could change a person irrevocably in such a short timeframe.
We haven't had a chance to talk to her yet about her time trapped in the dark fae castle, but we know, based upon what some of the prisoners told us, that there had been torture involved. Just the thought of it makes my power well up within me like a shockwave wanting to erupt and destroy the world.
Lana's hand traces soothing circles on my back as she murmurs, "Do you want to talk about whatever is on your mind right now?"
Pulling away slightly to peer down at her, I shake my head. "No, not now. Maybe another time." Dropping a kiss to her nose, I let her go and glance back at my brothers, who obviously have been watching our interaction from the way they quickly avert their gazes.
"Are you guys ready to head to dinner?"
Before they can answer, Lana groans again, but this time it's mixed with a moan. "Goddess, yes. Someone feed me."
The innuendo that I see circling in Leo's mind immediately pops out of his mouth, "I have something I could feed you."
Zedd cringes at his crass words and mutters, "Ew."
Meanwhile Lana smirks and quickly rebuts, "I'm just not sure that could satisfy my cravings."
"Oh, fucking burn!" yells Luke as he hops off of the bed and jumps around like a crazy person.
Feeling emboldened, I pull Lana in close once more and whisper in her ear, "Well it's a good thing you have more than one mate to make sure your cravings are satisfied, isn't it?"
Her small intake of breath is the perfect response and I pull away, content to leave her flustered. Walking towards the door, I announce, "Let's go eat!"
Stopping outside of the room, I glance back to make sure everyone is coming. The guys file out quickly and head towards the kitchen, while Lana lingers behind for a moment. She bends over to drop a kiss onto Ash's forehead and whispers something to him that I'm unable to hear.
Turning to walk toward me, she offers me a tight smile as determination burns in her eyes. "I'm going to get him back."
"I know you will, Little One."
We walk the short distance to the kitchen in companionable silence, lost in our thoughts. As we close the distance to our destination, laughter rings out as Thanatos and the twins shoot "that's what she said" jokes at each other.
Glancing over to Lana, I see a small shadow of gloom cross her face. Reaching out, I gently grab her elbow and halt her, knowing why she's struggling.
"You should not feel guilty for being able to take joy in the small moments of happiness. Do you know why?" I ask her, seriously wondering.
She shakes her head no and I plow on. "Because Ash would want you to. He'd be cursing you from the underworld if he knew that you were trying to berate yourself for feeling happy for a moment."
Taking a deep breath, she holds it for a moment and closes her eyes. A moment later she releases it and opens her eyes, nodding in agreement. "You're right."
Brushing past me, she walks into the kitchen and quickly grabs a glass of the wine that Zedd offers her.
Dinner passes by quickly as Hypnos and Thanatos chatter on like two gossiping girls with the latest drama in the realm of the gods. Apparently, they don't need food like we do, only eating it for the flavor occasionally when the desire strikes. However, they do drink copious amounts of alcohol that they won't allow us to touch, saying that just a shot of the liquid would put us on our asses.
At the end of the meal, Hypnos ushers Lana out of the room, leaving us wondering what Gaia left for her.
"Don't ask her what it is. It's probably deeply emotional and personal for her right now," Zedd admonishes the twins like a stern parent, already anticipating their prying minds.
