Chapter 32
Chapter thirty-two
THANATOS
The shock on her face was laughable, but Thanatos was smart enough not to let his amusement show.
Her lips were swollen from his kiss. He shouldn’t be lingering on that detail or memorizing the flush on her skin.
He shouldn’t be imagining what it would be like to claim her mouth again.
That kiss shouldn’t have happened. But then Iliana moved closer.
He’d been about to pull away, but she chose for him.
He should’ve focused solely on teaching her about their world, so she had a fighting chance of survival. But at that moment, he hadn’t cared about the Fates, his brother, or any other god in his pantheon.
He just wanted her.
“Are you serious?”
Her question pulled him back to reality, forcing his body to cool as he shook his head, banishing the thoughts trying to distract him. “Quite serious.”
He tore his gaze from her to look out the window instead, waiting for her next question.
“Your sisters,” she began, hesitantly. “Do they listen to you?”
Thanatos glanced at her, bracing himself for whatever she was about to ask. For his reaction.
“Can you ask them to change…” Shaking her head, she gave him a small, apologetic smile. “Never mind. You already said they don’t change people’s fates.”
He was glad she’d come to that realization on her own.
“I don’t know why I’m surprised they would be your sisters.” At his raised eyebrow, she elaborated. “I mean, you have Hypnos. But why don’t you see them? Is that just how it is for the gods? Or is it just them?”
Thanatos let out a quiet sigh. “I know mortals typically have close ties to their families,” he said. “But with immortals? It isn’t the same. We live long lives, and most of us are territorial.”
“But you and Hypnos seem close.”
“We are, but before you entered our lives, it had been…” He thought. “Twenty years since we were last in each other’s presence.”
Iliana’s mouth popped open before snapping closed, likely remembering his immortality. “Okay,” she began. “And the Fates, your sisters, when was the last time you spoke to them?”
He had to think about that one. “About something other than mortal destinies?” He sighed. “Several centuries.”
“Centuries?”
His lips twitched. “I know it sounds strange, but we care for each other. In our own ways.”
Iliana rolled her eyes. “I don’t know why I’m acting shocked. An estranged family should be the least strange thing I’ve learned.” Her gaze grew distant.
Thanatos recognized that look, the grief settling on her shoulders. He’d seen it countless times before from loved ones standing near a graveside.
She straightened a second later, her shoulders pushing back. There was nothing deliberately seductive about her movement, but his gaze still dipped to her chest before he could stop himself. He glanced away, clearing his throat.
“Even if they are your family, do they still use Hermes to contact you instead of reaching out themselves?”
Thanatos pushed to his feet, needing to put distance between them.
“Exactly,” he confirmed. “If they had wanted to see us, they would have. They only want to speak with you.”
Iliana shook her head in disbelief. “I still don’t understand why, though. This is all so ridiculous. It’s like I’m in some fantasy novel or a dream.”
She stared past him as though looking for answers in the mountains beyond. Thanatos didn’t interrupt. She needed time to process this.
Finally, she closed her eyes and inhaled deeply, then let it out. When she opened them again, all he saw was determination. “I don’t know what they want from me, but I know I’m done waiting around to find out.”
Thanatos’ lips curved slightly.
She sighed before looking at him. “All right,” she said. “Teach me everything.”