Chapter One
Hypnos
“I want answers. All of them.”
All week, Hypnos had verbally sparred with Iliana. Now, her demand penetrated the melancholy he couldn’t shake since finding Pasithea, the mother of his children, dead.
He still couldn’t make sense of it. Why had she attacked Iliana, a powerless human? The act was beneath the Grace. Worse, it felt like a deeper betrayal than when Pasithea had used him to improve her standing among the other gods.
Hypnos felt guilty for the bitterness he felt toward Pasithea; her mistreatment and lies haunted him, feeding his anger and regret. She was dead, yet the resentment and pain wouldn’t let him go.
Guilt churned in his stomach at the thought of his sons. Of Iliana. He'd failed them all, unable to see the signs of Pasithea’s demise. Could he have stopped her if he’d remained close to the Greek pantheon instead of isolating himself in dreams?
Hypnos spoke to his brother mentally. “What about Pasithea?”
Thanatos shifted his weight at Hypnos’ side. “Panacea took care of her last night.”
Good. That was something, right? Hypnos exhaled sharply. “Give us some time alone.”
Through their bond, he felt Thanatos’ hesitation and understood why.
But if Hypnos had any chance of earning Iliana’s trust, it couldn’t be with the gods outnumbering her.
Memories of their first meeting crossed his mind: shouting, tears, attempted escapes, and finally, his resorting to keeping her asleep.
He’d failed to explain anything to her. That mistake made her slow to trust them. He couldn’t let that happen again.
Thanatos cleared his throat and nodded his head toward the door, signaling to the others to do the same. “We’ll leave you two to talk.”
Anubis and Hermes remained standing at his side. After a moment, Anubis murmured, “I will make some breakfast, Iliana.”
Iliana shifted slightly on the bed, her only response to his words as she kept her eyes trained on Hypnos.
He didn’t want to be the one to tell the spitfire in front of him that his ex-wife had attacked her, that her memories were gone. What if their conversation ended the same, with her running? How would his brother and friend react?
Hermes looked like he wanted to say something too, but clenched his jaw shut instead. He simply walked to the door, keeping his eyes on Iliana until it closed behind him.
Hypnos stared at the door, trying not to let the pressure drown him.
Alone with the human woman who meant more to him—more than he’d ever wanted.
One part of him wanted to let go, to fall like Anubis and Thanatos.
Maybe he could care for someone. Maybe he could love again.
But another part rebelled, clinging to the ghost of Pasithea and the guilt of what she’d become.
Could he move on and let himself be happy again, knowing his actions—or inactions—had led to such heartache?
“Do you want to sit down?”
Iliana’s question startled Hypnos from his musings. “What?”
“You look uncomfortable just standing there and staring into space.” She pointed to the edge of the bed, farthest from where she sat.
Hypnos shook his head in disbelief. She was far too trusting, and his protective instincts rose along with doubt.
It was more trust than he deserved. He made a chair appear in the corner by the bare dresser.
He moved slowly, lowering himself into it and giving himself time to sort through his thoughts.
“Where do you want to begin?”
SEDUCING SECRETS
Book 2 in the Loving Death series
Releasing in the Fall of 2026