Chapter 42
Chapter forty-two
ILIANA
Asudden movement captured her attention. Iliana’s gaze went to Thanatos as he shifted his position on the couch, his eyes settling on her with fondness. “You have been staring out the window for five minutes.”
Shit.
She struggled to compose herself. “Sorry, I was just…” She scrambled for a decent excuse.
He saved her with a quiet huff of amusement. “It’s fine.”
She sagged in relief. He wasn’t offended.
They were mid-lesson. Thanatos was guiding her through Athena’s war strategies, describing ruthless logic and legendary battles. In just a few days, Iliana had absorbed far too much information about the Greek pantheon, power structures, and ancient feuds that continued to this day.
She could recite the gods’ names, their domains, and their long-held rivalries. But that didn’t explain why Hermes left gifts while he avoided her. It didn’t tell her if Athena was an ally or a threat, or why the gods who’d kissed her senseless hadn’t touched her since.
Her days passed with mornings with Thanatos, sparring with Anubis in the afternoons, then nights protected by Hypnos. No sudden abductions. No unexpected visits from Panacea. And, strangely, no Hermes.
She’d only caught traces of him. A tiny Eiffel Tower figurine on her pillow. Chocolate croissants on the kitchen counter. A hint of citrus and cedar in the hallway.
He’d been there. Just not when she was around.
It was pathetic, the way she kept searching for him, straining to hear his voice. She’d been taught he was unreliable, yet every gift left her both uneasy and giddy. Proof he cared—and proof he was choosing distance. That bothered her more than his absence.
Her eyes wandered to the door again, and she forced it back to Thanatos, who was studying her, his head tilted and his gaze penetrating. He was always so still and quiet that even his silences, normally comfortable and peaceful, could feel like interrogations.
“Follow me.” He stood up without preamble.
Iliana’s eyes widened. “What? We haven’t finished—”
Thanatos was already moving away, his pace unhurried but deliberate. He didn’t glance back. He knew she’d follow.
She sat, mouth agape, until curiosity won out. Wincing, she pushed herself up from the couch and followed Thanatos down the hall. She quickened her pace, but he remained out of reach. She rounded the corner and—
Large arms wrapped around her waist, yanking her back against a firm chest. She let out a startled squeak, her insides lurching from the sudden movement.
“Shhh.”
Her body settled against Anubis. The smell of incense coupled with spice settled her as she tried and failed to get her heart rate under control. “Shit, Ani. You scared the hell out of me.”
He nuzzled her neck. “Looks like we need to work on your reaction time.”
When his lips grazed the sensitive skin below her ear, the skin on her neck pebbled. She suppressed the shiver, but her body betrayed her, arching back into him. Anubis’ hold on her tightened, a faint rumble of approval vibrating against her.
She bit her lip, wanting to give in and let him distract her. “Thanatos left early. I was trying to catch up.”
He kept her secure against his body. “And you thought those short little legs could keep up?”
She huffed. “Don’t mock me. I was making progress. And for the record, you seemed to like these damned legs, which are proportional, thank you very much.”
Thanatos reappeared suddenly, making Iliana jump while she was still trapped against Anubis. He crossed his arms and looked unimpressed. His eyes paused on her before moving to his friend, studying them both with a cool, assessing gaze.
“It’s still my time, Ani,” he said indifferently.
Anubis kept Iliana in his embrace for a moment longer before letting out an exaggerated sigh. He eased his grip on her, sliding his hands down, fingertips trailing fire across her sides.
The loss left her skin cold. She wanted to make him put his hands back where they belonged.
She stopped herself. Still, her body swayed toward his warmth.
He steadied her, placing those divine hands back onto her.
Heat radiated from Anubis at her back, and Thanatos stood within arm’s reach.
His eyes roamed over her, then moved to Anubis, something in them that definitely wasn’t rivalry.
Iliana hesitated. Going to Thanatos might look as though she was choosing him over Anubis. Staying where she was might make Thanatos feel rejected.
Or were they doing this deliberately?
“I could not resist holding her,” Anubis murmured against her hair, in the low register that made her knees weak. “Do you blame me?”
Thanatos didn’t smile as he moved closer, his chest inches from Iliana’s, until she was pinned between two walls of divine muscle.
“Not a bit,” Thanatos said, his own voice husky.
She felt Anubis’ grip tighten, his fingers pressing into the soft flesh of her waist as he leaned into her, every inch of him molded to her back. Heat rushed through her when she realized what was happening.
Her mouth went dry, and she darted her tongue out to wet her lips. Thanatos’ gaze lowered to track the movement. His eyes flashed with desire.
Her breath came in short gasps that rang out in the still hallway. Their scents—spice and earth—closed in around her. She stifled a moan.
Anubis’ breathing quickened against her ear. His rough hand splayed on her abdomen, fingers spreading wide as if he were claiming territory. The touch was possessive, deliberate, and it sent desire swirling low in her belly.
Thanatos watched Anubis’ hand move, his eyes narrowing, but not with anger. With something that looked like approval; like hunger.
“Where were you taking her?” Anubis asked against her ear.
She didn’t care. This was the only place she wanted to be.
Thanatos caressed her jaw with his knuckles. She leaned into his touch instinctively, a small whimper escaping her throat, her breath coming faster. The tenderness was at odds with the flames in his eyes.
“Does it matter?” Thanatos responded, quiet and intense. “I think she’s exactly where she wants to be.”
Iliana opened her mouth to protest—or agree, she wasn’t sure which—but Anubis’ hand on her stomach began to move up, stealing her breath.
“Is that true, little one?” Anubis purred.
She bit down on her lip.
“I don’t think you’ll have time for whatever activities you have planned.”
Iliana’s chest clenched, her body betraying how much she’d longed to hear that voice. She felt relieved knowing Hermes was there. She could stop searching empty rooms for him. But longing was engulfed by frustration.
Of course he’d show up now—right as everything was about to kick off. After being absent for days, his timing was impeccable. Perfect and terrible.
He stood several feet away, looking relaxed. Shadows dulled the usual mischief within his eyes. Whatever he was about to say would only mean trouble for her.
Anubis’ arm stiffened around her, bracing as if ready to prevent Hermes from taking her. Thanatos stepped in front of her, placing himself between her and Hermes as if he could block everything that was coming her way.
Again. They were shielding her. Her frustration spiked. She tried to push out of Anubis’ hold, then stopped as Hermes spoke.
“It’s time. The Fates have officially summoned you.”
Thanatos and Anubis both went rigid at his words.
Hermes stepped to the side until he was able to look into Iliana’s eyes, and she readied herself for the rest of his message.
“They expect you within the hour.”