Chapter 19
Chapter nineteen
HERMES
When Hermes learned Thanatos was protecting a human girl, his ever-present curiosity arose.
Why would Athena, goddess of strategy, wisdom, and war, seek Thanatos instead of sending one of her favored heroes or demigods? She rarely concerned herself with mortals who weren’t involved in war or battles.
Her involvement alone should’ve kept him away. It didn’t. Athena’s secrecy and cryptic approach only lured him in.
It had been too long since something exciting had crossed his path.
He’d grown weary of Olympus. The minor disputes stretched throughout centuries, lingering grudges rehashed in different ways.
He spent more time in the mortal world, where things changed, and surprises awaited daily.
Even his role as messenger had grown routine.
He passed on the messages without caring about their subject—until now.
Hermes hadn’t even been looking for trouble. He stopped by Olympus to chat with Pheme, hoping for some light gossip, when Athena intercepted him with a message for Thanatos. She was all business, yet distracted enough to interest him.
After centuries of being dismissed as an incorrigible trickster, he adopted the role, causing trouble wherever he went. It suited him. He watched, listened, and learned. And, everything about this situation screamed that something big was happening.
He entered Hypnos’ cave in the Underworld, invisible. The home was filled with Hypnos’ calming scent and a hint of sweetness from the girl at the center of it all. Iliana. She was scared, but didn’t back down from the gods. That determination appealed to him.
Hermes had always appreciated beautiful voices, and hers had a raspy quality that conjured an image of pressing his lips to her throat, of burying his fingers in thick auburn hair. The fantasy seemed different somehow—less conquest, more connection—and that alone should’ve warned him off.
He shoved the thought away and refocused, needing to learn everything. Someone had cursed her family, but Athena’s involvement meant there was more to it. Iliana had tried to escape several times. That intrigued him more than anything. She didn’t accept her fate.
Unable to contain his curiosity, he revealed himself, savoring her hesitant, appreciative gaze as she looked him over.
He tested her, reciting poetry in a way only he could—soft, lyrical, dangerous.
She faltered, her eyes going glassy, her body stilling as though caught in his web.
He should’ve been pleased, but disappointment burned.
He’d wanted her to fight back. He didn’t know why, but he needed her to hold her own against him.
When Anubis took her away, Hermes felt robbed. Not a pleasant feeling for the god of thieves. So he followed, motivated to learn her importance.
Which was how he found himself there, lurking in another kitchen, watching them as he remained invisible. He studied her grief, the way she struggled with the world she’d been thrust into. She needed to escape. Perhaps he was the perfect god to offer that.
Before he could act on the thought, something unanticipated happened. The Moirai, the Fates, sent him an intriguing request. The Fates didn’t concern themselves with insignificant things. This message, this girl—they mattered in ways that made his immortal existence feel suddenly exciting.
After interrupting the group again, he offered to take Iliana to dinner even though he knew she’d already eaten. She refused. Politely. Hesitantly. But she refused.
And Hermes found he liked that. What he didn’t care for was the way he wanted to comfort her after mentioning the Fates.
It would’ve been easy—just a gentle touch or a few soft words.
Instead, he grinned, letting his tone go light and shallow.
Hating himself for the words he’d chosen, he watched the hurt dim the light in her hazel eyes.