63. In Which Reconciliation Flows Into a Hot Spring
Chapter 63
In Which Reconciliation Flows Into a Hot Spring
La Palazza Stellarum in the Hills of Asteria
E llie slipped from his grasp. Last night, his warm body curled around her, keeping her beside him. His silky, soft wing laid across them, replacing the coverlet. As she dressed, he hadn’t stirred. On impulse, she walked over to the bed, running her hand through his hair. The light-colored strands glided through her fingers like soft thistledown, and his lips curled in a faint grin as he slept. Once more, her hand found itself tangling in his hair. Evander mumbled something dreamily and smiled. Ellie kissed his cheek, her heart swelling to near bursting.
She was up the stairs with the tray for Callassa when she noticed Liam missing from his post. His blankets remained rolled. Frowning at his absence, she made a mental note to find him afterward. It took two raps before the door swung open. Callassa waved her in.
“Morning Calla—” She stopped mid-sentence as Liam rose from the little bed. “Oh!”
“Morning, love,” he said over his shoulder. The honed muscles in his back rippled as he stretched towards the ceiling. Rolling his head from side to side, he shook his shoulders, ruffing his wings. They stretched out wide, filling the room with their golden brandy color.
Liam stood and Ellie squeaked in surprise. She spun, and the dishes slid clinking together on the tray. Liam chuckled from the opposite side of the bed.
“Oh, Ellie. Little modest lass.”
“Could you cover up, Liam? Please?” she said from the door. Callassa snickered as she took the tray and set it on the table. “I thought you wanted to talk.”
“He’s covered, Ellie.” Callassa shook her head at him. “Really, Liam, you could have given her warning.”
He came around the bed and winked at Ellie. “We did talk for a while.”
Callassa kissed his shoulder as he passed, and he leaned into her momentarily before his eyes lit up at the breakfast tray. Lifting the lid, he frowned.
“There’s not enough here for a wee lad, let alone a grown man,” he complained, turning his lips down in a frown.
“That’s because I was expecting Callassa. Not Callassa, plus one giant pain in my ass.”
Liam threw his head back and laughed. The sound rippled through the room and danced among them, light and joyful. Crossing to where she stood, he roughed Ellie’s hair playfully, the sheet from the bed tied around his waist. He scratched his belly with one hand.
“I think I’ll go find something to nibble on besides a chuisle .”
He kissed Ellie’s head as he passed.
“He’s impossible.”
Callassa nodded and took a piece of toast from the tray. “And enormous. He took up my entire bed. I had to levitate to keep from ending up on the floor in a heap.” She grinned.
“So, it seems you’ve made up.”
“And you?” She arched a brow and took another bite of toast.
“In a way, yes.”
A solemn expression crossed Callassa’s features. “And me?”
Ellie sat on the edge of the bed. “I was never mad at you. Confused, worried, pissed, yes. But the look on your face when you realized Valerius had double-crossed you. You had your reasons; I know that now. But when you burst into that throne room”—her eyes widened—“you were magnificent.”
Callassa laughed. “Magnificent? No. Pissed? Yes.”
A few short minutes later, the women deep in conversation, Liam returned. He strode in, still wearing the sheet girted around him, carrying a heavy-laden plate with one hand, tearing into its contents with the other. Ellie shook her head and excused herself to give them privacy. She waited out on the landing. Something about the cuffs on Callassa’s wrists bothered her, and she needed to know what Liam knew. When he emerged, she grabbed his arm and pulled him to a far wall.
“I’m flattered but a bit taken with another.” He cocked a flirty brow at her.
“Nice to see your sense of humor back,” she quipped. Liam widened a grin. “I need to talk to you about Callassa.”
“What about her?” he whispered way too loud, and Ellie rolled her eyes.
“Callassa is bound to Aerelia. The cuffs on her wrists aren’t bracelets.”
Liam nodded. “Yes, I know.”
“I’ve been thinking about it. She needed whatever that orb was so badly she made a deal with Valerius to get it.”
He motioned for her to continue.
“She needs a Kalypso Orb.”
He made a face. “Aye, I already know.”
“I’m afraid that if the Dark Oracle or Valerius try to come to retaliate against Callassa, she won’t be protected. Max definitely won’t. I’m not sure about Camulos and Evander, although, I’m inclined to believe they would because of you. She needs her freedom, Liam. Her people need her to be free, to lead them.”
“Aye, I know that too. Camulos would defend her, but Evander and Max, I’m unsure. With the protection down—”
She paled. “The protection is down?”
“Can you not feel it? Camulos must have lowered it during the fight with Athena.”
She shook her head. There was a lot about her powers she still had yet to discover and more about what these four could do. He frowned, his face serious. Standing this close, she studied the bruise on his face. It was ugly and deep purple the first few days, but now it was healing to shades of blue with hints of yellow. Tilting his head, his features darkened as he worked something out, leaving Ellie to marvel for the second time how scary he seemed when he grew serious, but the moment passed. Deciding against whatever it was, he slouched against the stone wall, letting out a heavy breath. Ellie leaned back as well, and they both slumped to the floor in defeat and hurt, and something else she couldn’t quite put her finger on. Glancing into Liam’s bruised face, she pointed.
“Evander?”
“No, Chthonian.” He pointed to the bruise.
Nodding, she pulled up the chiton she had thrown on in her rush and exposed her knee.
“Kidnapping,” she said dryly, showing off a slight bruise on her kneecap.
Liam snorted a laugh. Wrapping her arms around one of his, she laid her head on his shoulder. Easy comfort stretched between them, as it always had.
“Ellie.”
“Mmm?” She rubbed her cheek on his shoulder.
“I’m sorry.”
She lifted her eyes to his and frowned. “For what?”
Liam sighed heavily again. “For what I said when we all came back from rescuing you. I was gutted and worried and—there is no good excuse. What I said about you—”
“Forget it, Liam.” She curled the ends of her mouth into a half-smile.
“But love . . .”
“Forgiven. You’re forgiven, Liam. Always.”
He leaned into her and kissed her head, smoothing her hair. A gesture Ellie was finding she adored most about him. He rested his chin on her head as if she were a source of relaxation for him. Happy to be whatever he needed, they sat silently, resting against each other, minds whirling, until Callassa opened the door. Her eyes went wide for a brief, fleeting moment until Liam smiled at her and patted Ellie’s head.
“ A chuisle ,” he murmured, unwrapping Ellie and rising to greet her.
“What is that you keep calling her?”
“ A chuisle ?” Liam’s expression was soft as he gazed at his love. “It means my pulse. The full of it is a chuisle mo chroí . The pulse of my heart.”
A faint blush colored the apples of Callassa’s soft cheeks. “I thought it meant hi.” She twisted her lips and winked.
Ellie got the strange sensation she knew precisely what it meant. Feeling like a third wheel, she started towards the stairs.
“Whelp.” She made a noise with her lips. “You two keep an eye on each other.” She wagged her finger at them, but neither seemed to notice. Liam walked into the room and closed the door behind him.
Although she might be happy they reconciled, she wasn’t about to stand outside in the hallway and listen to how happy they were. Instead, she made her way below.
Evander had gone looking for her as soon as he woke. Assuming she was in the kitchen fixing a tray, he headed there and smiled at her as she descended the stone steps.
“I’ve been looking for you,” he said as she breezed past.
Last night, she had embraced him, and her body molded to him perfectly. Ellie hadn’t let go of him all night, and he realized how much he had missed snuggling with her. Her scent, her hair, her skin pressed against him felt like comfort, like home, like his missing half. But waking this morning to an empty bed felt familiar, and he needed to reassure himself that she forgave him.
“Oh?” she said, her back to him.
Approaching carefully, he placed his hands on either side of her, gripping the edge of the counter boxing her in. To his delight, she turned in his arms and smiled, shaking her curls over her shoulders. She gazed up at him, those gray eyes, silver streaking across, captivating him, and his world clicked into place.
“I missed you this morning.”
“Oh?” she repeated, a coy smile curling at the side of her mouth.
“Mmm, yes.”
“You’re a little needy.”
He tapped her nose as she wrinkled it. “For you? Always.”
“I had to bring Callassa a tray.”
“You should let the servants do their job,” he said as his hands slid into place along her waist. Running her palms around his sides, she laced her fingers at his back. “That way, you stay in bed a little longer.”
“Humm, I should have stayed a little longer.”
“I was denied my morning dose of wild curls next to me.” He tucked one such curl behind her ear.
Ellie wrinkled her nose again. “Now that I have taken care of Callassa, I was going to draw myself a bath. My muscles are still sore from, ya know, kidnapping and all.”
“I can help with that. I have something I want to show you.” He grinned at her. Her eyes lit up with mischief as her gaze darted between them. She snorted.
“I’m well aware of what you want to show me.” She cocked an eyebrow.
“Well, that may be,” he said, lowering his head to hers, “but I think this might be better for your sore muscles.”
Slipping his hand around hers, he led her down the corridors, threading through the house, weaving along hallways lined with statues and paintings, now as familiar to her as her own. They were almost to the great room when he pivoted towards the wall. Feeling along the molding that framed an enormous work of one of the nine muses, he pushed against it. The wall opened on spring hinges inward into a dark hallway. Ellie eyed the dark and took a step back. Fear lit in her eyes, and she held her breath. Evander squeezed her hand.
“I promise; it’s a pleasant surprise.”
“I hate surprises,” she said sharply, eyeing the entrance as if it led to one of the nine gates of hell.
“Ellie, do you trust me?”
She nodded, still eyeing the gaping hole in the wall. “Yeah, it’s the dark, foreboding corridor hidden behind a secret wall in a house that exists in a fictional place I’m having trouble with.”
“I promise it’s worth it.”
She eyed the opening. “It’s just the last time—”
Pulling her knuckles up to his mouth, he kissed them. “I know.”
He tugged, and she went, following behind as they moved deeper into the walls of the house. The door swung closed, entombing them inside. It was pitch-black and smelled stale, but the path was one he knew well. They walked along, Ellie gripping his hand so tight he was sure his fingers were blue. She said nothing as they walked. The only sounds were her erratic breathing and their shoes on stone.
“Evander?” Ellie whispered into the dark.
“Yes?” he whispered back, teasing her.
“Just checking.”
The smell of heavy, metallic dampness hung like fog over a moor. It got stronger the closer they came to their destination, like the damp earth of a cave. A light shone at the end of the tunnel, beckoning them as shimmers of light weaved across the top of the stone entranceway. The hallway opened into a cavernous room; steps chiseled into stone led down to a pool. They disappeared and sank beneath the shimmering blue water. Steam rose in wispy tendrils, curling off the surface and dissipating into the air. Ellie walked past, her gaze taking in the hot spring, and she breathed in a slow, steady breath of warm air.
“What is this place?” she asked, her back to him. The sound of dripping water echoed against the stone. The aqua-blue spring swirled and moved with each drip from the ceiling. It emanated a light that danced on the cave walls, giving the illusion the pool was lit from underneath.
“It’s a heated spring.” His voice was low as he watched her from the entrance.
She turned around, and he couldn’t help the slow curl of his lips. Leaning up against the cavern wall, he crossed one long leg over the other, his wings folded and rested along his back.
“I’ll leave you to it, then,” he said, not moving.
Ellie cocked her head to the side and offered him a slow smile of her own.
“Care to join me?”
Her gaze jerked to the spring, and she reached up to the shoulders of the chiton. Hungrily, he watched as she let her fingertips trace the cords that crossed her chest. He couldn’t take his eyes off her hands as they traveled over the swell of both breasts, down to her waist, and gave the knot a good yank. It slipped free. The gold braid slid from around her waist as she pulled one end and weaved itself around her back. The tassel glided over her shoulder and caressed the tops of her breasts as it broke free, falling to the ground.
Evander took short, shallow breaths. Watching her pull the three-stand cord made him painfully hard, his hooded gaze following the slithering path. He didn’t know what he wanted more: Ellie out of the chiton or the rope around her wrists. She reached for her shoulders again, but this time, she grabbed the metal pins. Unclasping one, she let it fall to the floor, where it made a metallic clunk as it bounced. Her dress fell open and slipped down her arm. When she reached for the other, he pushed off the wall, unable to be a spectator any longer.
“Allow me,” he rasped.
His nimble fingers unclasped it, and the garment fell to the floor, pooling at her feet. Facing the water, she stepped out of the heap. He brushed his fingers along the column of her neck, sweeping her hair over her shoulder to expose her delicate skin. His lips followed the path of his fingers, gliding across her neck to her shoulder. Her head fell to the side, and he nipped at her earlobe, then nuzzled behind her ear. His hands came around her waist, tracing the roundness of her belly. They traveled up to cup her ample breasts that spilled out of his hands.
“You know,” he murmured into her skin, “the ancient Greeks didn’t wear brassieres under their clothes.”
Ellie snorted a laugh. “Yes, well, I do. If I don’t wear a bra, I’ll turn around and give someone a black eye.”
Evander buried his face in her shoulder and chuckled, pulling her closer. Gods, he loved her sense of humor. He shook his head, his forehead rubbing against her. Following the band of her undergarment to the back, he gripped the clasp and trailed kisses along her neck, onto her spine. Pausing in his conquest, his face contorted into a frown as he looked down. Tugging on the band, his frown deepened when the clasp remained steadfast. Those metal teeth were now a worthy opponent he was determined to defeat. He pulled, flipping the band over to examine it.
“Trouble?”
Turning the fabric back, he pinched again. “How the hell do you work this thing?” He cursed as he pulled. “What sort of contraption?” Mumbling under his breath, he flipped the band over, trying to unlock the confounded clasp.
She giggled and reached behind, but he swatted at her hands.
“No, no. I have it.” He cursed under his breath as he turned the clasp to no avail. Ellie barked a laugh and reached around to help, but again, he swatted her hands away. Suddenly, the clasp gave way and snapped free.
“Ah-ha!” he exclaimed with glee. “I am your master!”
Her shoulders bounced as she laughed. The mellifluous sound tinkled off the cavern walls as he tossed her bra to the ground in victory. He buried his face in her hair as he laughed as Ellie patted his cheek.
“My hero,” she said and turned in his arms, meeting his wide smile with one of her own. His dimple was on full display.
“Damn right,” he said, eyes dancing.
His lips found hers, melting into him to where he couldn’t tell where she stopped, and he began. His arms around her waist gripped her hips, holding her to him. When he finally come up for air, Ellie was breathing hard, shallow breaths. Her tongue darted out between her pink lips, tasting him. Her teeth grazed her bottom lip, catching his greedy gaze. The urge to devour her called to him like a siren song. He desired to make her feel as beautiful as he saw her. Erase every memory that hurt her and replace them with only ones of love. Her fingers traced the leather strap holding his arm in place. His device came free under her expert fingers, and she undid the socket at the shoulder. Helping him slide it off, she rested it on the ground by the stairs so it wouldn’t get wet. His heart skipped a beat at her thoughtfulness. Ellie dipped a toe in the water and sighed. Frozen to the stone floor, he watched her every movement. She coyly looked over her shoulder and cocked a wry smile. Reaching for the edge of her underwear, she slipped one finger under the waistband, and Evander forgot how to breathe.
“If I remember correctly”—the smile turning seductive—“you wanted these off. Slowly.”
Watching her, mesmerized, the blood in his veins pulsed so hard he could feel it in his cock. Teasing him, she slipped her underwear over her hips and down her calves. He had to remind himself to breathe by the time she slipped one foot out and then the other, descending into the pool. The water traveled back the same path her garment left. Ankles to her calves to her knees and thighs, then gliding over her hips. The bottom of her hair darkened to a deep red as it slipped into the water when she stepped off the last step. Ellie dipped under the water, and the blood drained from his veins. He held his breath until she resurfaced again, wiping her eyes. His heartbeat erratic, he swallowed against the lump in his throat. The water rippled as she glided to the opposite wall, found a rock, and perched. When she turned around to face him, she frowned.
“Wings can’t get wet,” he croaked out, his voice breaking. Every muscle fiber rippled taut as he willed himself not to shake.
“Aren’t you coming in?”
He couldn’t make eye contact with her. Couldn’t think past the ripples bouncing against the stone sides.
“Hey?” She was suddenly concerned. “What’s wrong?”
Beads of sweat broke out on his temples, and he clenched his fists, eyeing the water. “Is it deep?”
Frowning, she looked down into the turquoise pool. He could see the bottom, but that didn’t mean it wasn’t deep. She looked up at him and then back down to the water, eyeing him as she measured his height against the water level.
“I don’t know. Do you want me to check?”
He didn’t move. Didn’t blink. Just stood there, nostrils flaring, his eyes wide and frantic.
“You can’t swim?”
Evander shook his head.
“You brought me here, and you can’t swim?”
His tongue darted out and licked his lips. “I thought you might enjoy the heated springs. I didn’t think past that.”
He could tell she was trying hard not to react, chewing on the inside of her cheek. This was a chink in his armor, his vulnerability. He could take on the world, fight, lead, and protect, but he couldn’t swim. He avoided pools at all costs, using his arm as an excuse because it terrified him. His missing arm was his limitation. Long, graceful strokes brought her to the center of the pool, and she stretched her foot down, the level coming up to her ears. She could barely touch the sandy floor while keeping her head above water.
“I can still touch,” she said with a grunt as she strained, “so you might be fine. You’re so tall; I’m certain it’s fine. Come join me.” She glided to the stairs as she talked.
His feet refused to move.
“Do you want to leave?”
He shook his head.
“Do you want to come in? You can just sit on the step and put your toes in.”
She tried to be helpful, but he felt like a child with an irrational fear of monsters.
“I can leave.”
“No, you’re sore.”
Determination coursed through him, and he unlaced his tunic at the neck and shoulder. Next came the leather skirting and his belt; they fell to the floor with a plop. He was now naked before her, naked and afraid. He wanted to join her, press her wet body to his. Their eyes met, hers dark and lustful. Chewing on her bottom lip, she stepped onto the last stair, her top half rising out of the pool. Torrents of water rippled over her breasts and now dark-red nipples, sliding down her stomach. The sight of her wet and naked made his mouth water.
“Are you afraid of all water?”
“No.”
“So, it’s just the fear of drowning?” she said, frowning thoughtfully.
“That’s a pretty good reason.”
“Do you want to join me? You don’t have to.”
His feet moved of their own accord to the depths unknown.
“Come, take my hand.”
After a few steps, he was down the first riser.
“Look, this is very shallow here,” Ellie said. “I’m half out of the water.”
“Yes, I can see that.” He eyed her full, wet breasts.
“Hey, buddy, my eyes are up here,” she said, half-scolding him for daring to look at her exquisite curves. “Come, step this way, and I’ll make sure you’re in the shallow end.” She was doing her best to reassure him.
He was in the water now; it rose inch by inch as he stepped down another step. Her heated gaze raked over him, making it hard to concentrate on the impending doom of a watery grave. When he reached the bottom step, it brought his hips and, more importantly his erection, to eye level. He knew exactly what she was thinking as she eyed him proudly.
“Oi,” he said huskily, “eyes up here.”
“Yep, they sure are.”
Her tongue played against her lips as they both remembered the study. Evander rolled his eyes playfully and continued his descent.
Breaking out of the trance of staring at his cock, she looked disappointed when his hips sunk below the water. Reaching the bottom stair, he inhaled and stepped onto the sandy floor. Evander breathed a sigh of relief as the water didn’t come too high. Holding his hand, she pulled him as he shuffled his feet against the bottom.
“I can’t believe you never learned to swim.”
“Why would I have learned to swim?” he said and lifted his nub in the air. “I have one arm.”
Ellie threw him an annoyed look. “I’m aware. I’m just surprised. I’m sure there are swimmers with missing limbs that swim. There’s a famous surfer without one.”
“I’m sure there are, but I wasn’t given the opportunity as a lad. Besides, things are a bit different now.”
“Right, right. I forgot. Immortal.” Her soft, round curves cradled his hard lines as she stepped into his body. Sliding her arms around his, she rested her chin on his chest. “I like being all wet with you.”
A smirk twisted across his lips as Ellie slapped a damp hand over her mouth at her accidental double entendre. He half-chuckled, wrapping his arm around her.
“See, it’s not so bad.” She eyed him as her neck craned. “Are you okay?”
He jerked a nod. He really was okay. Ellie’s body pressed against his, her cheek resting on his chest; it soothed Evander as he stood in the deepest water he had ever been in. The warmth of the spring settled into his tense muscles, causing them to relax to the point he was almost enjoying himself. The mischievous glint in her eye was back when her gaze swung back up to meet his.
“What?”
“Do you trust me?”
Deep lines creased his forehead. “Depends.”
Sliding her arm down his hip, Evander closed his eyes; his skin pebbled at her touch. Her hand on his thigh, then his knee, was heaven. She gripped the back of his knee, walked her fingers under both, and then he felt her tug. His feet were off the sandy bottom; his body cradled to hers as his shoulders sank lower into the pool. Ellie held him aloft in the water. One leg kicked out, and his arm flailed as he gripped her shoulder in a panic.
“What the hell!” he protested as she tightened her hold, cradling him to her wet chest.
“I’ve got you,” she said as he flailed. “See, you float. Just relax, I’ve got you.”
Breath stuck in his lungs as trepidation screamed in his ears. Clutching her shoulder, his large hand covered most of her upper back. His nub reached around and tried to hold himself upright as water covered his chest.
“See, in the water, I can carry you like a damsel in distress.”
“Put me the fuck down.” He gasped, digging his nails into her skin.
“But look. It’s like I have superhuman strength.”
“Ellie,” he snarled between his teeth.
“Okay, okay. I’m going to let go of your legs first.”
She released him, and his feet sunk to the sandy bottom. Once they touched, it took several gasping breaths to bring his fear under control. The pounding of his heart was the only sound in his ears. Evander glared at her, and Ellie had enough sense to look regretful.
“Why?” he growled, backing up to feel the walls of the pool.
Shrugging, she made a face. “I dunno, I didn’t think much past damsel.”
“Damsel?”
“Yeah, you know. You’re always so strong and beat ‘em up, wielding swords, and so—grrr.” She raised her fists and growled at him. “In the water, I’m strong enough to hold you, cause, you know, buoyancy and all, and I just thought,” she continued, “I just wanted to be a little—grr. Or even just a—rr.” Holding up two fingers, she curled like claws.
The woman has lost her mind.
“So, you picked me up?”
She nodded once.
Eyeing her as he reached for the cavern wall, Evander felt along it until he came to a shallow alcove. He rested his back against the stone and slunk into the water onto a boulder under the surface.
“I’m sorry I scared you.”
He pulled her to him, keeping his eye on the water level across the pool in case it rose unexpectedly. “You don’t think you’re strong, darling?”
She was shaking her head as she perched beside him on the rock.
“I freeze. I froze with the Chthonian. I froze in the air. I froze in Valerius’ throne room. Something comes over me, and fear takes over. I can’t move. I can’t breathe. I’m not like the rest of y’all. These weird powers give me an advantage, but I don’t know if I could calm myself in a fight. The only reason I killed that Chthonian was pure luck. I’m better with a bow, but even that. I’m scared of what will happen if I ever have to fight for real. This coming war, daemons, a prophecy?” She sighed. “I’m not strong enough. What am I good at? I read, and I crochet. I meant what I said to Camulos. I’m not cut out for this.”
A wet hand caressed her cheek, and she leaned into him. Her skin was warm. Her cheeks had a soft pink glow from the water’s heat.
“Do you know what I see?” he asked as she opened her eyes to look at him. “I see the strongest woman I have ever known. Strength isn’t just physical, Ellie. You are intelligent, kind, and thoughtful. Your ability to see the good is strength. You should be hard and cynical; no one would fault you after all you’ve been through. But that only made you gentler, kinder. Let me be your strength, Ellie, you just be who you are. You don’t carry this burden alone. We will find a way to stop this. I promise.”
He leaned forward and kissed her forehead. She snuggled into him, resting her head on his shoulder, her arms around his waist under the water.
“I want to stay here for a while longer. Forget for a few minutes what waits for us when we leave this grotto.”
Nodding, he slipped his arm around her shoulders, pulling her close. They stayed a while longer, letting the heat of the spring soak into their bones, relaxing their sore muscles and racing minds. Soon, they would need to return to their chambers and the world outside this cavern. But for a few fleeting moments, it was just the two of them, and Evander said a silent prayer that it would stay this way.