Chapter 41
Chapter forty-one
ILIANA
She was changing her clothes after another intense session with Anubis when a knock sounded at her door.
“Just a second,” she called, pulling on leggings over her sore muscles.
Fully dressed, she ran fingers through her damp hair and opened the door.
Iliana froze.
The woman standing at her door wasn’t human. That much was obvious. Her beauty was too perfect—flawless skin, lavender eyes radiating with something unmistakably divine.
Shit.
Instinct told Iliana to back away, to grab something to use as a weapon. Before the panic fully took hold, Anubis stepped into view, his tranquil smile shattering her fear.
“She is fine, Neferet,” he said smoothly. “Panacea is not an enemy.” He leaned next to the doorframe, his eyes knowing as they flicked over her still-tense posture.
Panacea. The healer. She wasn’t pushing inside or rushing her, and Iliana appreciated that.
“She wants to check on you,” Anubis added.
Grinning, the goddess said, “I thought you might also enjoy a conversation with someone who isn’t a testosterone-fueled god.”
Iliana let out a startled laugh. “You have no idea.”
When Panacea’s smile grew, Iliana stepped aside. “Come in.”
As Panacea moved past, Anubis stood there, looking between the two of them.
“What?” Iliana asked, cocking an eyebrow.
Anubis’ smirk was slow and infuriatingly knowing. “Dinner will be ready soon,” he said. Then quieter, “Try not to lose track of time, Neferet.”
Her face flamed. He’d told her just today what ‘Neferet’ meant: beautiful one. The term fell from his lips so naturally, and she didn’t think she’d ever tire of the endearment.
Before she could fire back, he turned and left her with the goddess. She closed the door behind him, her cheeks still burning as she turned to see Panacea conjuring two comfortable chairs in the room.
Iliana shook her head. “Every time one of you does that, I question whether I’m losing my mind.”
Panacea settled gracefully into her seat. “Magic becomes background noise after a few thousand years.”
Iliana dropped into the other chair with a groan. “I don’t think I’ll ever get used to it.”
“That’s probably a good thing. It’s best to still hold some wonder for this world rather than becoming as cynical as most of the gods.” She turned serious as she studied Iliana. “How are you doing?”
Iliana straightened, treating the coming conversation as a medical checkup. “Honestly, Panacea, I don’t have any pain in my chest. Just the occasional phantom twinge. Physically, I’m okay.”
The goddess smiled. “That’s good to hear. And please call me Pan. This isn’t a professional visit. I made sure you were healed before I left last time.”
“Oh.” Iliana looked away. “Well, uh, then I guess I’m fine. What did you want to talk about?” She leaned back and let the soft chair cushions conform to her body.
Panacea’s expression turned amused. “How you’re handling the trauma of being cursed, how you’re adjusting to the world of the gods…and whether you’ve read any good books lately.”
Iliana blinked for a moment. Then her face split into a wide grin. “Patience and excitement, and oh my gods, I’ve got a reading list that would make any bookworm cry.”
Panacea perked up. Goddess or not, she was a kindred spirit.
They talked about books. Fantasy. Romance. Even a murder mystery set for release next month. The conversation wandered easily between topics, tropes, and authors.
“Well, I’ll tell my book club we’ve gained a new member,” Panacea said.
“Book club?” Iliana asked, trying to picture it. How would those humans react knowing they had discussed their likes and dislikes with a Greek goddess?
“Yes. We don’t meet that often. Persephone’s absence for half the year makes it tricky. No one wants to go to the Underworld to carry on the meetings, and it’s not the same without her.”
Iliana stared. “Wait. Persephone’s in your book club?”
Panacea laughed quietly. “She started it.”
Iliana asked question after question. Other members included names she knew, such as Demeter, Artemis, and Calliope, as well as ones she didn’t: Eos, Mnemosyne, Brigid, and Saraswati. The thought of ancient goddesses arguing about book boyfriends was surreal.
Before she could ask for more information, a knock at the door pulled her from the image. Iliana opened it to find Anubis holding two plates of food.
“I lost track of time,” she acknowledged sheepishly.
“I figured,” he said. His smile was altogether too pleased as he set the plates down on a small table that materialized between their chairs.
Before leaving, he leaned in and kissed her cheek, lips lingering hot on her skin.
Panacea didn’t bother hiding her amusement, her lavender eyes turning sly.
As soon as Anubis was gone, Iliana groaned and covered her flushed face. “What?”
“Oh, nothing,” the goddess said with faux innocence. “I’m just enjoying the show.”
Blushing, Iliana returned to her seat. Instead of broaching that subject or any men she was infatuated with, she sat down and began eating. They kept talking about books, medicine, and mythology—anything but the kiss Iliana still felt on her cheek.
Panacea lit up when discussing her work in hospitals, medical research, and expeditions through the . Iliana almost choked when she mentioned a prank Aphrodite had pulled during the creation of a now-famous drug.
“I was trying to develop a treatment for chest pain,” Panacea said dryly. “Aphrodite seduced the researcher and inspired him to tweak the formula.”
“What happened?”
“It still helps with chest pain. But now it also spreads love and happiness.” Her smile turned wry. “When I asked her, she just said, ‘Sex sells.’”
They talked and giggled until their plates were empty. The table vanished with a wave from Panacea, and Iliana curled up in the chair, her feet drawn up.
“I don’t want to push you, but…how are you, really? With all of this,” Panacea asked.
“Overwhelmed. Curious. Angry. Excited. Frustrated.” Iliana huffed, shaking her head. Every time she thought she understood everything, the gods dropped new information on her that completely threw her off balance.
Panacea nodded. “Let’s start with frustration. What’s bothering you most?”
Iliana rested her head in her hand, her elbow propped on the chair arm. Her eyelids became heavy, weighed down by the day’s training and the delicious food settling in her stomach. She stalled, not wanting to admit the more intimate parts of her frustration.
“When I’m training with Anubis, sometimes I think I’m getting the hang of things, and then I’m quickly reminded that I’m no match for a god.”
“You’re thinking too much about what you can’t do.”
Iliana scoffed. “That’s kind of important when you’re human and fighting a god.”
Panacea smirked knowingly. “And yet, here you are, holding your own against Anubis. Do you think he would train just anyone? If he thought you were hopeless, he wouldn’t waste his time.”
Iliana stared at the goddess.
“Even the best warriors began somewhere. You’re learning. And learning fast from what I was told.”
Iliana tried to hide her blush, wondering what else Anubis had told Panacea about their training sessions. “I know I’m getting better, but it feels like there’s never enough time. I’m scared I won’t learn enough before something, or someone, comes for me.”
Panacea smiled reassuringly. “You’re already further along than you think. I don’t know many humans who could endure what you’ve been through. Hold on to that hope, Iliana. When hope is gone, you’re destined to fail.”
It wasn’t a command—it sounded like something she’d said a thousand times before.
Iliana gave her a small, tired nod, trying to believe her words. “Who said that?”
“Genuinely me, I’m afraid,” Panacea said with a shrug. “I save all my book quotes for book club.”
They both laughed.
Hypnos interrupted the light moment as he strode into the room, looking grumpier than ever. “It’s time for bed,” he commanded.
Iliana opened her mouth to argue. Then yawned again.
Damn it.
Panacea stood and gave Hypnos a look of amusement. “She’s all yours.”
The other gods entered behind Hypnos, softening some of Iliana’s irritation. Thanatos wrapped his arms around her and kissed her hair.
Panacea’s gaze moved between Thanatos and Anubis, a contemplative expression on her face. Then she turned to Iliana. “Can I give you a hug?”
Iliana smiled and stepped out of Thanatos’ arms. “Thank you, Pan.”
The goddess wrapped her arms around her, and Iliana relaxed into the embrace, inhaling Panacea’s herbal scent. It was soothing, like snuggling up with a book and sipping peppermint-honey tea.
Panacea pulled back, her eyes luminous and happy. “I’ll see you again soon. After all, you can’t miss book club.”
As Panacea turned to say goodbye to Hypnos and Anubis, Iliana thought she saw the clip holding her hair in place move. She blinked, then shook her head. She needed to sleep.
After wishing everyone goodnight, Panacea threw Iliana a bright smile and vanished.
Once the goddess was gone, Iliana crossed her arms and looked between the men. “First, I’d appreciate a warning if we’re going to have a visitor, especially a god.” She gave Anubis a pointed look. “Train me, test me—fine. But not here. Not where I’m supposed to be safe.”
Anubis looked at her, seeming to take her request seriously. “Attacks may come at times when you believe you are the safest.”
He made a good point, but she still needed some concessions. “And what if I had attacked her? Pan may not have taken offense, but what if another god was invited and I attacked? That could’ve caused some divine incident. Or I could have harmed them.”
Hypnos snorted.
Iliana swung her stare toward him. “And you. Don’t barge in and try to control me. I am well aware of the dangers I face if I fall asleep without you.”
“Iliana—” Thanatos started, but she held up a hand.
“I’m not finished.” She turned back to Anubis. “You said Panacea wasn’t an enemy, which implies you know who is. I want names. I want to know what we’re dealing with instead of just reacting or being swept away to the next safe house.”
Anubis shared a look with Thanatos. “We are still trying to figure that out.”
“Then let me help investigate. I’m tired of sitting around waiting for answers while you guys handle everything. I’m learning a ton from your lessons,” she said, trying to soften her delivery. “This is my life, my curse, my family that was targeted. I should have a say in how we approach this.”
Anubis smirked, but she didn’t think he was making fun of her. It almost looked like pride. “What are you proposing?”
“I’m proposing that we do something.” She looked at each of them. “Hermes is out there chasing leads about my curse. Why can’t I be involved in that research? Why can’t I help piece together my family history instead of waiting for someone else to figure it out?”
Thanatos studied her. “Because it’s dangerous.”
“Everything is dangerous,” she interrupted.
“The Underworld wasn’t safe. Sleeping is deadly.
I want to help plan our next moves, to understand the political situation.
To know why Athena really wants to have me protected, what these other gods want, and why everyone’s suddenly so interested in me.
I need to be productive instead of just existing under your protection. ”
The quiet stretched as the three gods seemed to digest her words.
“You think that’s all you’re doing?” Thanatos asked.
The question surprised her. “Sometimes, yes.” She looked at him, trying to read him. “I’m grateful for your protection. For the time you’re taking to train me to fight and teach me about your world. But I need to feel like I have some control over my fate.”
Anubis approached her, his eyes intense as he held her stare.
“I will agree not to surprise you with any more gods. Attack any unannounced deity in your safe space.” He leaned in close, his hot breath fanning against her ear, raising goosebumps on her skin.
“But that does not mean I will not test you.” His lips brushed her neck.
All she wanted to do was melt into him.
“Do not let your guard down,” he breathed.
Before she could act, Anubis pulled away with a satisfied smirk on his face. Iliana blinked rapidly, trying to gather her thoughts.
Well, at least she got one thing she’d demanded.
Hypnos moved to the bed. Iliana watched him, not expecting him to agree to her demand to stop being so pushy. He looked at her, his jaw working as if he were chewing on acidic words he was attempting to keep to himself.
“I’ll try,” he said eventually, the concession costing him. “But don’t expect me to ask permission to keep you alive.”
The grudging acceptance was more than she’d expected from him. She let a small smile touch her lips.
Strong arms wrapped around her waist. Thanatos’ warm body pressed against her back, his earthy scent calming her nerves. She relaxed in his embrace, the exhaustion that had disappeared while she was exerting her will creeping back in.
“We will try to include you more in decisions and tell you about any new information we discover.” Thanatos’ voice was soft as he continued their conversation. “I do not want you to think we were intentionally excluding you from our discussions.”
She pulled away just so she could turn in his arms, looking up into his soft gaze. “I know you haven’t, and I appreciate it. I realize I’m new to this world and may not understand everything, but I want to know more.”
He pulled her back against him. “Always so curious.”
She wrapped her arms around him and sighed. “I can’t help it.”
“Did you have fun with Pan?” he asked, kissing the top of her head.
Iliana laughed. “I like her a lot. Can I keep her?”