A Slice of Bliss
Theo
The rest of our journey passed in silence. She’s given up her afterlife for Sienna. The haughty Little Miss Perfect has given up a lot. She didn’t need to guarantee our safe return, but she did it anyway. I don’t even fucking know what to make of that.
There are definitely more layers to her, and she’s handling a lot despite all the shit she’s going through. It’s impressive. Annoyingly impressive.
I rest my elbow on her shoulder, glancing sideways at her.
“So,” I start in a casual tone. “When we get back to Earth, assuming we don’t, you know, explode, burn, or die when we do, cause our parents are going to fucking lose it, I was thinking we should call a truce.”
She looks at me, eyebrow arched. Meaning? she writes.
I smirk. “Meaning, wanna be my mate?”
Her eyes widen like saucers, and I can’t help but laugh. “Relax, Blondie. I mean mate mate, as in friend, not soul-bonding in case that’s what you got in your head.”
She rolls her eyes. Obviously not. You’re not my type, remember?
“And you’re not mine. Now that we’ve got that cleared up, what do you think? We make a pretty solid team when we’re not trying to kill each other. Might as well make it official.”
I know I’m amazing, but what do you bring to the table that I should even consider you a friend? she writes with an extra flair to her letters.
“Well, you mean aside from my devastatingly brilliant charm and perfect looks?”
She rolls her eyes. Whatever. But fine, Westwood. Truce on the condition you use the word friend, not mate, she writes.
I chuckle. “Sure thing, mate.”
She glares at me as I turn towards her, not caring that I’m right at the edge of our floating pad. “Now that we’re mates, I’ve been wanting to do this for way too long.”
Before she can question me, I reach over and tug both her juicy cheeks with a satisfied smirk. That feels damn satisfying. “You’ve got some cute fat cheeks there, Blondie.”
Her eyes glimmer, and she shoves me, but I’m ready for it. I arch back, dodging, my head tipping off the edge before snapping upright again with a smirk. “Easy there, Blondie, let’s not get so violent.”
You’re annoying! she writes, poking my chest before she looks past me, her eyes lighting up as she taps me, pointing. I turn to see Ahren, Jayce and Carter down below, near what looks like another gateway.
“Oh, neat, we’re here,” I say as she lowers the pad, and I jump off, landing on my feet. “Shame we weren’t first.”
We might have been if you hadn’t pushed me into the water, Heaven writes, earning me a glare from Ahren, who walks over to her.
“Are you ok?” he asks. She nods, and he puts his arm around her, leaning down and kissing her forehead. Mushy stuff these Rossis do. It’s weird as fuck. I don’t remember the last time I kissed Katara. Tugging her hair or tripping her up? Yep, that’s normal.
“So, this is the exit, huh? That wannabe pathfinder couldn’t just bring us exactly here?” I ask, kicking the ground as I examine the door we’re going to go through.
Said pathfinder observes me with raised eyebrows, scorn barely masked. I shoulder my scythe, matching his expression.
“Theo, cut it out,” Carter growls.
“What, think he’ll get pissed?”
“Leave the topic alone,” Carter warns.
I snicker before I turn to him. “So, has our other skirt boy not gotten here yet?”
“I didn’t miss you,” Ahren remarks.
“Kk, diaper boy.” I snicker, earning a blast of fire from Ahren that I dodge.
Jayce sighs as Carter shakes his head.
“I do wish you were last,” Carter mutters.
“Na, man, that’s gotta be Renji. He’s always last,” I snicker.
They all groan, and I sit down beside the archway.
Now we wait for the rest of the entourage to get here.
This is going to be a long fucking day.
It’s another hour, or I’m assuming it is –I can’t really make much sense of the time here, when the rest finally make it. Oh, and Renji was last to arrive, which makes me chuckle.
“We now cross through the dead forest before we reach the gateway to the Lower Lands of the Kingdom of the Sun God, Helios. Be warned, there are beasts that will try to kill you,” the pathfinder says.
“Oh great, more travelling. What do we follow this time, wise guy? A cloud, a bird? The moon again?”
He ignores me and looks at Ahren. “You must keep going until you see the peak of Helios’ castle in the sky. Follow it.”
“Ah, we follow the tower, nice,” I say sarcastically as the door opens and I get to my feet. “From the frying pan into the fucking fire. This is going to be fun, actually. I’m ready to kill, baby.”
“Just shut up,” Allie says, pushing past me and stepping through the archway. Jayce follows, and I go next, reminding Renji I’m second-born, and he should come last. He tries to kick me, but I manage to evade it. Everyone is sure on edge here.
The moment I step through, I’m met with shrill, blood-curdling shrieks. I raise my scythe, slicing through a full set of sharp teeth and fling the dead body down.
“Is that a chupa chup?” I ask, as Allie and Jayce kill several more.
“Chupacabras, yes!” Jayce answers.
“Ugly fucks, init?” I say as I slice through another.
The moment the last of us steps through the doorway, the pathfinder disappears.
Great.
My eyes blaze milky white as I spin my weapon. I needed the workout, and this looks like a fun one. It’s going to be refreshing. I spin my scythe, cutting through three of them as a fourth lunges at me, and someone slices through it.
“I had it!” I call, turning to see it was Carter. He scoffs.
“Did you?”
“Dickhead,” I reply, flipping him off and turning to two more snarling monsters. “Well, come on, you twenty-pence lollipops, time to die!”
Three doorways, two nights and many unexpected attacks later, we have reached the doors to the Middle Lands of Helios’ Kingdom. Tall guards that reach the fucking sky defend the vast golden gates that lead into the Middle Lands.
“What is it that you seek?” one of them asks.
Helios probably knows we’re here. He has to, right?
Jayce steps forward, his aura making itself known, pressing down on the surrounding area. He removes his helmet, letting the golden light catch his jet-black hair as his gaze pins the guards.
“I am Jayce Westwood, the Deimos King, descendant of Andronikos. With me stand my brothers, born of the same hour, bound by blood and fate. Together, we challenge Helios, the Sun God, to a duel.” His voice rolls like thunder, impossible to ignore.
“Deliver this message to Helios. By the sacred laws of the immortals, he cannot refuse me this duel. When we meet face-to-face, I will name my price.”
The guards raise their staffs, slamming them into the ground, sending a shockwave through the ground.
“The Sun God has been notified. Until he answers, he has commanded we give you quarters to dine and rest,” one of the guards says.
“Well, I ain’t saying no to that,” I mutter.
“You can pass on my thanks,” Jayce says emotionlessly, but I know that was fucking hard for him to spit out. Thanking that fucker isn’t something he ever wants to do.
Out of nowhere, a woman appears, a gorgeous one at that, scantily dressed in a sheer dress that covers fuck all. “Follow me, my lords, my ladies. I shall show you to your resting quarters.”
The pathfinder appears and looks at Ahren. “I have led you to the end of your path. Relieve me of my duty.”
“You have completed everything I asked of you; you may leave. Thank you,” Ahren replies, snapping whatever had them bound together, and then the pathfinder disappears.
“Well, let’s follow the chick and get some rest,” I say.
“She’s hot,” Ares murmurs, making Allie snort.
“She’s naked, you mean?” she remarks.
“Even more proof she’s hot. Shut it,” Ares growls back.
I smirk. I mean, he ain’t wrong, plus that outfit leaves little to the imagination.
“We’re not here to play; focus on the job at hand,” Ahren reminds us.
“You do you; we can have a little fun, man, especially if Helios is going to take his fucking time,” I say with a smirk, making Heaven roll her eyes.
It isn’t much of a walk as we step through the gates and are led towards one of the many huge marble palaces that line this territory.
Stepping inside, the warmth settles over us.
We follow the woman, who has a fine ass as well, if I do say so myself.
We walk through the archway, smoke curling around our feet, and I cock a brow, spotting the dozen women who are in outfits similar to Heaven, lounging around the sofas, each one is fucking beautiful.
Carter snorts until his attention falls on the men wearing similar skirts to Jayce and Ares, and smirks slightly. They’re pretty toned up and stuff.
“Don’t fall for it; you need your full strength,” Jayce says curtly, not bothering with any of the women as he walks over to one of the sofas. “Leave me,” he commands. The two women obey, and he sits down, running his fingers through his hair.
“Well, I think I’m going to unwind a bit,” Ares remarks, his eyes fixed on two women who stand by an archway, motioning him to follow.
Ahren shakes his head. “Heaven, Alessandra, sit with Jayce,” he commands.
And where are you going? Heaven asks him with a raised brow.
“I’m joining you.” Ahren frowns.
Good, she writes, tossing her hair and stalking off towards Jayce.
Carter’s already disappeared with one of the men, and I shake my head. I mean, I’m all for some fun, but were they that deprived of sex?
Man, they’re horny dogs.
“Come near me, and you will lose your heads,” Allie points her spear at the man and woman eyeing her.
I snicker as I drop onto one of the sofas and prop my legs on the table.
“I wouldn’t mind a massage, ladies,” I say, winking at the two closest to me. One’s a pretty redhead, the other a ravishing blond. I smirk, feeling Allie and Blondie glaring at me. Resting my arms behind my head, I close my eyes.
Helios wouldn’t deceive us; even I know the code of conduct when it comes to duels. Once Jayce challenged him, we’re only in danger on the battleground.
“I hate men, too,” Allie says, probably in agreement with something Blondie said.
I crack open my eyes and scan the buzzkills. Renji, the little asshole, has disappeared, too. Sneaky fuck.
The woman kneeling behind me pours warm, fragrant oil into her palms. My shoulders tense under her touch and then melt. She starts slow, rolling her thumbs along the knots in my traps.
This ain’t bad at all.
My chest tightens as her fingers graze over my shoulder blades, down my spine. They’re fucking good, that’s for sure.
“Damn…” I groan quietly, rolling my neck. The blond giggles, a soft, musical laugh that sets my skin on edge. She leans forward, and my gaze falls on her breasts. The warmth of her body brushing against mine makes my smirk grow. “Hey, gorgeous,” I say, my voice low and playful.
I glance sideways. That’s when I spot Heaven stride gracefully towards the table laden with food and wine. I cock a brow. Did she always walk like that, or is she mirroring these women? Either way, she’s freakily good at it.
Do you two want anything? she writes, looking at Ahren and Jayce. Her eyes flick slightly in my direction, but then stop, almost as if she changed her mind to look my way, and I swear I catch the smallest flicker of annoyance on her face.
“No, thanks,” Jayce says, and Ahren shakes his head, equally unbothered. I guess they are more worried about Curls. We’re pretty close to getting her now, if all goes well.
“I’ll have a drink, Blondie,” I say. She turns to look at me with haughty indifference. I resist a smirk, knowing she’s seething underneath.
I didn’t ask you, she writes. Allie?
“Hmm, is it safe?” Allie asks, going over to her.
I return my focus to my massage. The redhead beside me leans closer, hands moving over my shoulders and down my arms. Her touch lingers, teasingly firm, her fingers brushing just a little too close to dangerous territory.
My smirk grows. Maybe the risk of… consequences isn’t completely off the table.
The blond holds out a tray with a single glass of wine on it. I reach for it, but I don’t even manage to pick it up before the glass shatters. Reality slams back, and I glance at Heaven, but she’s murmuring a spell over another goblet, eyes locked on Allie.
This is safe to drink, she writes with a small smile, passing the glass to Allie.
I close my eyes, letting the warmth of the hands on me pull me in. Sleep might be fucking annoying, but this relaxation feels damn good.
The women clear away the shattered glass with a sweep of their fingers, placing another in my hand.
Cool.
I let myself sink into the massage, letting my body respond to the pleasure. I tilt my head toward the curtained archway. I think I’ve changed my mind; some fun won’t kill me.
“Alright, ladies,” I murmur, voice low, a smirk tugging at my lips, and I stand up. “Lead the way.”
I see Jayce shake his head from the corner of my eye. “Oh, come on, Jaycey boy, if you weren’t so hung up on Curls, you’d be the first one leaving.”
Ahren, the wanker, is only being a saint cause the girls are here.
Downing the glass of wine, I snake my hands around the two women’s bare waists as we leave the room. I leave my scythe out there with the others; no one will be able to pick it up aside from me, anyway.
The moment we pass through the curtains, we’re in a more intimate setting with cushions and blankets draped over a large bed. The lights are dimmer, too.
The women instantly step closer, both of them running their hands over my abs and chest, placing feathery kisses along the way. The blond pressed against my front, the redhead behind me.
Now this I could get used to.
I let them do the work, the redhead running her hands down my abs, her lips grazing my back, and the blond begins to unbuckle my pants, sliding her hand in. I smirk cockily, watching her wrap her hand around my dick as pleasure runs through me.
That’s it. Worship me, baby.