Chapter 39 UNTIL THE NEXT
UNTIL THE NEXT
Acacius
For the weeks that followed, they did not leave the comfort of his mattress.
Lying in bed had become their favorite activity together.
It was a new, reformed safe space with just the two of them—talking, laughing, watching endless movies on the television that Marina carted to Tavora from her home, dozing off to the sound in the background, just to wake up and spend hours exploring each other’s bodies.
A place where only the two of them existed.
Marina often teleported to Hollow City to see Naia and check in on Ash. The hunt for Soren persisted, but Marina let another take over that task—one more acquainted in the ways of the High God.
Acacius held back from sending his Olethros after him, knowing it would only tighten the tension amongst the deities.
Instead, he fixed on crafting more jewelry for Marina’s collection, teaching himself how to delicately forge the tiny pieces of metal into something beautiful enough for her to wear.
She also made monthly visits to Isolde for Viviana and Mansi, and regularly stopped into Tenebris to assess its state under the veil of her Night.
Every Sunday, they ventured to Augustus.
On arrival, Finnian would drag Marina to the basement that Acacius called his witch lair, and examine her like a science project, all for the sake of monitoring the complications of his antidote.
Meanwhile, Acacius found joy invading Cassius’s kitchen, tying the apron around his waist, assisting in chopping and sautéing. Things that greatly distressed Cassius, as they were not done in slow, perfect movements.
“Follow the instructions.”
“That is too much paste.”
“Where did you place the can opener?”
“The kitchen is in disorder now. Put things back where they go.”
“Stop, please for the love of all gods, you are going to kill us all with the amount of garlic you are dumping in there.”
“Here. Just chop these and let me handle the rest.”
Cassius’s micromanaging made Acacius feel boyish again, recalling their mortal days when they would set off on a hunt, and how Cassius would hover over him, nitpicking the way he skinned their kill.
Acacius grew a soft spot for Finnian and Cassius’s dog, Juniper.
After dinner, he’d sink down on the living room floor to play with it.
Cassius lounged back on the couch with whiskey in his glass, eyes closed and a small grin to his lips.
It was as if the sound of Acacius’s high-pitched affections toward his dog and the aggressive threats rolling off Finnian and Marina’s tongues as they arm wrestled on the kitchen table brought him the peace he’d always longed for.
It branded Acacius with a protectiveness to preserve this life for his brother.
When Marina’s thoughts plagued her of past mistakes, the burden pressing heavy on her chest, Acacius lulled her to his hot spring. He’d learned that the sensation of his fingers in her hair provided relief to her anxious mind.
One morning, Acacius lay with her body bare and snug against his side. Moths danced around the corners of his bedchamber in gentle silence. It was opposed by the sweet calamity of the sea that raged outside of his windows.
“I haven’t laid in bed with another since Evander.” She spoke low, running her long nails up and down his arm in a hypnotizing motion. “You are the first.”
Pride flared in his chest as he twisted his fingers in her hair, kissing the side of her head. “We can stay here for as long as you wish.”
They had all the time in the world, but for now, Acacius was content hiding away from it all with her in his arms.
A rainstorm hummed outside of the stone awning. White moths fluttered around Marina’s long scarlet dress like specks of racing glitter. The stars hung in the nightly backdrop, dozens upon dozens of glimmering jewels.
The wind beat against the walls of the alcove, a white noise that became as normal as breathing.
Behind it, earth crunched against earth, and seawater bloomed white foam.
Even further past, a group of Heraldic Olethros rested beneath tall verdant trees, watching the master of the realm with his lover.
Acacius swayed with Marina under an arch of climbing roses and greenery, intoxicated by this moment with her. He stayed greedy for her to invade his space every day, every second.
He leaned down, brushing his lips against hers as they danced. “Stay here with me,” he murmured. “In Tavora. When you are not looking out for Ash.”
To share his home with another had been a dream, one he’d let go of early on in his days as a deity. Tavora was too much for most, but somehow not for her.
“I was already planning on it.” She pushed up on her toes and grazed her nose against his with a playful gleam to her eyes. “It’s been a long while since I left this place. I already consider it a home, and I always look forward to my return.”
The previous months had been long walks around Tavora that always turned into a chase, with her sprinting from isle to isle and Acacius punishing her with his tongue; endless nights in the hot spring under the moths and roses, his hand in her hair; late nights in Isolde with Mansi and Viviana, drunk and offering to be a shooting bag to the middle goddess’s newest creations, taking delight in the way Marina cackled alongside Viviana as he played; roaming the markets and shops alongside Marina, watching her try on gowns and gush about the fabric of the dress or the gem of her necklace.
A broad grin pulled apart his lips, a sense of weightlessness overtaking him.
“I love you, Rina.” He splayed his fingers out over the small of her back and pulled her closer.
She leaned into his palm, gazing up at him, her irises two aqueous, brunette pools, like the bitter chocolate that she adored so much. “It terrifies me most days, the love I have for you.”
“That makes me insatiably happy.”
A small laugh sang out of her. The gorgeous sound hummed through his chest, evoking a heat in him not even rivaled by his forge.
“I am enamored by you.” He dipped his head and caught the rose pendant on her chest in between his lips, tugging the chain around her neck.
Her breath caught as her fingers curled around his nape, feeling her take rest against his. A silent proof of her comfortability with him. A sign of her affection that he would cherish for the rest of their days.
Gods, he wanted her every day, here with him, just like this.
Her eyelids fluttered closed and her lips curved, content. “Good, because you are stuck with me forever.”
He trailed his lips up her chin and to the corner of her mouth, continuing to lead them in a gentle sway. “Let’s dance like this, every time it rains.”
She pulled herself up to meet him in a sweet, syrupy kiss. “Until the next, then.”