Chapter 9 #3
“I can never remember your beauty perfectly,” he breathed. “I will think I have done it, that I have memorized you…and then you fall into my arms again, radiant, so much more than I could ever picture. And today, like this…you are stunning.”
Hearing those words made me feel so wonderful, even if the last part set off a prickle of sadness.
“I’m delighted you see me that way,” I said, blushing.
“But don’t…don’t compliment me on this ritual stuff.
” I shrugged. No need to be reminded of what the rest of my day was like. But he didn’t let it go.
“Why?” he asked, squeezing me a little tighter.
I sighed. “It’s just that I was required to make myself up like this. For them. I spent my whole evening being paraded around to men of high status. So I wish I could enjoy it, but beauty is soured if it’s meant for another’s satisfaction.”
Thanatos considered this. “Does it give you any satisfaction to know that I enjoy it?”
“I suppose it does,” I admitted.
“Pretend it is for me, then. These men are nothing. Pay them no mind, and let our secret motivate your efforts. Then come to me, and I will be the one who kisses your lip color away.” He made a demonstration, and I giggled.
“You just like it because it reminds you that you’ve stolen a sacred object,” I accused.
“You are not an object,” Thanatos retorted, though he flashed me a cheeky grin. “However, I will not deny the essence of your claim.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. He was all too endearing, and I supposed his suggestion might allow me a way to be defiant in the face of the new stipulations. “Very well. Enjoy the view, then, because I did it all for my favorite deity.”
“I accept your tribute, and your favoritism,” he jested.
“It is the best we can do at present, I think. That said, I wish that no one could ogle you unwanted. I hate it.” He tucked some hair behind my ear, frowning.
“Do not let them touch you,” he added in a possessive growl.
I adored his possessiveness, despite the difficulty of knowing it was without warrant.
“Of course I’m as careful as I can be,” I assured him. “But in the end, it’s not really my choice, you know.”
“Next person to try anything gets to be personally executed by Death.”
“They’ll feel so honored,” I said with a laugh. “But…I mean…even if I was being harassed, it’s not like you’d know about it until after.”
He winced at those words. “Do not say things like that,” he groaned. His voice was soft with worry, because he knew it was true. Fuck, he was going to dwell on it now.
“Stop thinking about it,” I said quickly. I cupped his face in my hands and drew him back to me with my sweetest kisses. “Think only of this. Of now. Of me.”
At this he smiled again, unable to resist me. “Very well, my naughty priestess.” He pinned me against the gazebo’s wall once more, lavishing me with affection.
“Aren’t you going to take me away?” I prompted breathlessly.
“You keep distracting me!” Thanatos laughed. “And there was something…” He stalled, flustered. “Oh, right. I remember.” He released me in order to retrieve a small vial which I hadn’t even noticed sitting on the center table. Dark pink liquid sloshed around inside as he offered it to me.
“No demigods, for one year,” he promised. Then his face reddened, and he fixed his eyes to a spot on the ground. “Do not ask me how I got it.”
Now that was a story I needed to hear. When I opened my mouth to ask, though, he blushed harder and shook his head. Alright, alright, fine. I accepted the vial, pulled out the stopper, and downed its contents in one gulp. Fruity.
Well, how nice. Somehow I, a mortal woman, had now been twice the beneficiary of magic potions. With such treatment, how could I not feel spoiled? I would have to let Alex know that my mysterious lover had taken responsibility for procuring my herbs.
But then I registered the reason for his embarrassment, and a teasing grin spread wide across my face. I arched a brow. “You went to Olympus for this, didn’t you?” I guessed.
“You do not know the half of it,” Thanatos grumbled, flicking his wings with disdain. “I had to see Aphrodite for this.” Somehow he made a visit to the goddess of beauty sound about as pleasant as pulling teeth. Or plucking feathers.
“Was it really that bad?”
“It was me,” he emphasized, as though incredulous that I could not conceive of the weight of his actions. “I was on Olympus. Petitioning Aphrodite for a boon. I feel queasy even imagining the gossip that will ensue.”
“I see,” I said seriously, choking down a giggle at the mental image this evoked. “Well, then…thank you. I am glad that you cared for me enough to do it.” I tossed the empty vial aside. “You’re sure about this stuff, right?” I added.
“Oh, yes. You can stop eating your stolen plants. Now, let us enjoy the benefits of my ordeal.”
And he waited for no further questions before catching me in his kiss and wrapping his wings around us. I clung to him gladly, in agreement with his haste. I closed my eyes and lost myself in precious Death.