Silas
Eris doesn’t ask for comfort, nor does she reach for my hand or press into my side like she needs warmth.
But I see it anyway.
The tightness in her shoulders. The tension locked in her jaw. It’s in the way she doesn’t draw attention to her hands. She still thinks they’re marked, carrying the aftermath of a decision she should be worshiped for making on our behalf.
“I’m taking you to the shower,” I tell her gently.
Eris blinks up at me, mirror-gray eyes wide but not completely unreadable, reflecting my own guiltless emotions. There’s a shared sense of apathy between us that makes me feel understood.
Jace experiences emotions loudly, and Kieran experiences them deeply.
But with Eris, I feel… And that’s new for me.
She doesn’t argue as I guide her down the hall toward my bedroom, past Jace and Kieran, who step aside without a word. I enjoy sharing her with them, but want too much when they see me disassociating, and I can’t imagine that she would take it well.
Right now, she’s mine to care for, to keep in the present.
Inside the bathroom, I flick the light on low and release her hand to turn on the water. I move around her, shutting the door and grabbing towels from the shelf. She watches me in silence.
“Let me clean you up,” I say, nodding at the steaming water.
The tile gleams as droplets run down the wall. Steam curls around the edges of the glass door, reaching for the mirror.
Eris nods, stepping into the shower with all her clothes on.
And I don’t stop her.
I’ve been there too.
I peel off my shirt. My pants. I don’t look away when her eyes meet mine and drop to my body.
I let her look, observing the light bleed into those gray depths.
There’s primal satisfaction in bringing her back from the edge, so I let her see the parts of me that aren’t just sharp and cold, the side of me that wants her more than anything.
She removes her hair tie and unbuttons her jeans, peeling them over her hips. But I step in before she gets them past her thighs, sinking to my knees, ready to strip her slowly from her wet clothes.
“Let me take this off you,” I murmur, gazing up at her to keep her focus on me. “I’ve got you now.”
Jeans. Lacy green panties. The curve of her hip is inviting, and I want to sink my teeth into it, biting just hard enough to bruise. Long sleeve black shirt. Matching bra. I touch each delicate scrap of skin with careful hands, fingers mapping her like a secret no one else is allowed to memorize.
Eris is still watching me, those gray eyes now bright with interest.
I press her against the wall, steam curling between us. Wet strands of her hair stick to her cheeks as a drop of water falls from her lashes. I reach for the soap and lather it into my hands, rubbing gentle circles along her arms, her collarbone.
She lets her head fall back against the tile wall. Her eyes flutter closed as I move across her chest, her ribs, her hips. I’m slow with my movements, intentionally forcing myself to keep this torturous pace.
Worshipped is how I want her to feel.
She’s shaking. Just barely, but it’s enough for me to know she’s here with me now, back in her skin, losing the flat affect.
I slide my hands through her hair next, tilting her head forward so I can massage the shampoo into her scalp and rinse it thoroughly. As I reach for the conditioner, her fingers curl around my wrist.
“Silas,” she breathes, full of a softening emotion that makes my chest ache and my pride swell.
I kiss her shoulder, her collarbone, the hollow beneath her throat before I capture her mouth, consuming her, showing her she’s all the oxygen I’ll ever need.
She kisses me back as if this is the first thing all day that makes sense. Her hand fists the back of my neck, and her leg curls around my hip like something feral is finally free under her skin, driving her mad.
I guide myself to her center, dragging the head of my cock across her folds until she whimpers against my lips.
“Up,” she whispers.
I grip her thighs and lift her, pressing her back against the wet tile. Hot water sprays over us, steam filling the air.
“This,” I murmur, lining myself up. “This is how I show you that you are mine.”