Chapter 23
Chapter twenty-three
HYPNOS
“Teaching her to fight won’t matter,” Hypnos said. “Even with proper technique, if a god comes for her, she won’t stand a chance.”
Anubis got up from the couch. “I disagree. Mortal warriors need training, especially those called by the Fates. We do not know why she was cursed or who is after her. What if it is another mortal? A monster? She needs to hold her own long enough for one of us to reach her.”
Hypnos kept Iliana in his periphery, noting how her fingers, which had been tapping on her thigh, had stopped moving. He was about to check on her when Thanatos’ hand rested on his shoulder.
“Anubis is right,” Thanatos said. “Until we know who cursed her, we give her every advantage. A few seconds of self-defense could be the difference between life and death.”
Before Hypnos could argue, a sharp gasp cut through the room.
His head whipped toward the couch. Iliana sat upright, eyes alert. Blood darkened her lips. A dagger jutted from her chest, the hilt trembling.
For a stunned moment, no one moved—then there was chaos.
Hypnos was by her side without a thought, reaching her as she fell sideways.
“Healer—now!” he shouted, helping her lie down on the floor.
Hermes disappeared in an instant, off to find Asclepius or one of his daughters.
Anubis cupped Iliana’s face. “Stay with us. Help is coming.”
Thanatos shoved the coffee table aside and knelt next to her, putting a hand on her forehead. “Not yet,” he said.
The rare hint of distress sent unease through Hypnos.
“What happened?” Thanatos demanded. “She was fine a moment ago.”
“I set my dagger down,” Anubis said, guilt darkening his eyes. “The curse…” He brushed her hair back, his movements careful. “Stay with us, little one.”
Iliana’s lips parted as if to speak. Instead, a cough wracked her frame. Blood speckled across her chin, falling from the corner of her mouth.
Hypnos wiped it away. “Slow breaths,” he instructed. “Stay with us.”
Her eyelids fluttered before they closed.
No.
“Move!” The sharp word stopped any thoughts he might’ve had to reach for her soul.
He looked up to see Panacea at Hermes’ side, her expression grim.
“I had to convince her to come,” Hermes complained.
Iliana let out another wheezing gasp.
Hypnos’ attention snapped back to her. “Hurry. She’s fading.”
Panacea rested a hand near the wound. “Put her to sleep,” she ordered. Then softly, “It’ll hurt.”
Hypnos hesitated. He’d promised not to use his power without her consent. But there was no choice. He pressed his forehead to hers, letting his power flow into her. He pulled her under—into the deepest sleep she’d ever known.
The room disappeared.
When he opened his eyes, an endless field of wildflowers surrounded him, illuminated by golden sunlight. A light breeze stirred the grass, bringing with it the far-off sounds of birds near the coast.
And next to him, Iliana.
Moments ago, there’d been blood on her lips. Tears. Panic. Now she gave him the most peaceful smile he’d ever seen.
“Hypnos?” The disappointment as she said his name was mild, but it still stung.
“Do you remember what happened?” he asked. He needed to know how much of it followed her into the dream.
Her frown deepened. She rolled onto her side, studying his face. “I fell asleep…then pain. I remember you and Anubis, and then I woke up here.”
She sat up suddenly. “I fell asleep.” Suspicion narrowed her eyes. “You didn’t…”
“No, I made a promise,” he said firmly. “I noticed your exhaustion, but didn’t have time to stop you from falling asleep. I was too busy talking with the others.”
She regarded him for a long moment before rolling her eyes. “You weren’t the one who fell asleep despite all the dangers.”
He let the faintest curve touch his lips to keep the mood light. “No, I wasn’t.”
Turning away, she looked out over the field. “Where are we?”
“An island that no longer exists. We’re in your mind—anchored to one of my memories.”
A gull cried overhead, and she watched it fly across the sky. “It’s beautiful.”
They sat in silence for a moment. The island granted her peace in the same way it once had for him, the breeze holding the briny scent from the ocean. Then, she gasped, holding her chest.
Panacea must’ve removed the blade. Iliana tensed, and Hypnos experienced the pull against his power, her body instinctively fighting to wake.
Moving in front of her, he took her hands, trying to ground her; to keep her present with him. “Iliana, look at me.”
Her eyes connected with his. “But—”
“I know,” he breathed. “Panacea is healing you right now. The more you fight me, the more you’re going to feel. I saw the wound. You don’t want to go back yet.”
Her throat bobbed. “Will I die?”
“I don’t know.”
Even as tears welled up in her eyes, she lifted her chin and straightened her shoulders. “Thank you.”
A quiet chuckle left him. “Why?”
“Because you’re honest. It’s better to have the harsh truth than pretty lies.” She looked out over the golden field. “And thank you for this. If these are my last moments, I don’t think I could’ve picked a better place.”
He stared at her. After everything, her gratitude surprised him.
“I’m sorry,” he said, before he could stop himself. “For how I treated you when you were first brought to me. You didn’t deserve that.”
Appearing thoughtful, she asked, “You’re not a cruel god, so why did you?”
“I haven’t been around anyone for a while. You were the first person in my home besides my family for centuries. I was annoyed. And curious.” He exhaled. “You fought me. Humans fear us, but no matter how many times I put you back to sleep, you kept fighting.”
She laughed, the sound light and warm. “What can I say? I’m stubborn.”
His smirk returned. “I’ll take your word for it.”
The silence surrounding them was different, free of the tension that existed between them in the real world.
He felt a tug on his hold over her. At that moment, he wasn’t sure if it was the curse attempting to take control again or if her body was attempting to wake. He could hunt the curse later. First, she had to live.
“Hypnos?” Thanatos spoke through their connection.
“Will she make it?” Hypnos asked his brother while keeping his eyes on Iliana. She’d lain down again, twirling a flower she’d plucked in front of her face.
“Yes,” the relief in his brother’s voice matched his feelings. “Panacea expects her to be fully healed in a few hours, but she needs to sleep for now. She will be fine. We want to move her to a bed, but need you to stay with her.”
“I’ll be back in a minute.”
He relished the few moments with Iliana when she was this relaxed in his presence, before finally speaking. “You’re going to be fine. The healer wants you to remain asleep for a while longer to finish healing.”
“Really? That’s good to hear,” she said, sounding relieved. “Can I stay here?”
He cleared his throat. “Unfortunately, when I pull away to move you to the bed, your mind will no doubt move on to typical dreams. I won’t be present to hold us here.”
She sat up and hugged him. “Thank you again.” She pulled away and placed a sweet kiss on his cheek, letting it linger softly.
His eyes closed for a brief moment, capturing the warmth of that closeness. He swallowed thickly, not used to the show of affection.
She wouldn’t remember any of it.
He would.
And he knew it would haunt him.