Chapter 15 #3
My sisters gave no response save for unsatisfied grumbles, but after a stretch of heavy contemplation, everyone agreed. There was nothing to be done but wait for Leon to visit. If he didn’t come, then we would be the only ones who knew the truth when his mysterious trial arrived.
“There is nothing more to discuss here,” said Thanatos. He offered me his hand. “Come with me.”
“What are you talking about?” Sophie interjected before I could accept. “Look at her! She needs sleep, not sex!” She stepped forward as if to protect me.
“I—do you think that’s all we do?” Thanatos stammered.
I chuckled at his defensiveness, and regretted it immediately when my headache intensified. “It’s fine, Soph,” I told her as I stood up. “We’re just going to cuddle.”
“Oh. Fine, then. We’ll see you in the morning.”
“I will take care of her,” promised Thanatos. “Do not worry.” He wrapped his arm around me, and when she nodded, we vanished together into darkness.
“I like Sophie,” he said when we emerged into our bedroom. “She is brave to step between a god and his desire. Such actions have not proceeded favorably for mortals, historically speaking.”
“She is certainly brave,” I agreed. “She protects the people she loves.”
His brow furrowed, and his face fell as he stroked my hair back from my forehead. “Perhaps she is right to worry for you. We know now that your pain is because of me.”
“It’s just a headache,” I said, shrugging off the pounding. “It’s alright.”
“No, not only this. I mean your life,” Thanatos elaborated sadly. “If not for your sight, your freedom would never have been taken from you. You would never have been torn from your family. And your sight was bestowed because Apollo slighted me.”
“Stop it!” I retorted, startling him with my intensity. “It does no good to dwell on what might have been. I like my life the way it is now.”
“But is this really what you would have chosen? To live in a cage as the oracle who does not belong? To risk yourself every day, with Death as your prize? You could have explored the world beyond the temple, or even beyond the city walls. I can offer you nothing but my love and a guarantee of your end.”
I circled my arms around his waist. “Thanatos, your love is more than worth it.”
“Is it truly? Even when weighed against your freedom?”
“Yes.”
“Even if you were no longer anyone’s trophy? If you could live how you wished? Love and marry who you wished?”
“You mean someone else?” I scoffed. “I would never.”
Thanatos blushed at my words and tried to speak again, but I put a finger to his lips. “Stop,” I commanded, and he remained silent. “I don’t want those things. I want you. Now let me love you.”
His gaze softened, and I withdrew my hand from his lips. “Very well, my treasure,” he murmured. He nuzzled against me, hiding his face, but I could feel the joy he tried to contain when he hugged me tightly and swayed.
“Lie down with me?” I suggested.
“Yes. Come.”
We snuggled together as we did every night. Sophie was right that I was too exhausted to feel sexy, but I still wanted his affection. I wrapped my arm around him and scratched between his wings.
“How dare Apollo touch you?” I whispered. Rage flared in my chest on remembering what he’d revealed. “I take back every prayer I’ve ever offered him. How could he do that to you?”
Thanatos kissed my nose. “Arrogance,” he answered. “But no matter. Soon the trial will make an example of his son, and the final victory will be mine to claim.”
“You don’t want Leon to live?”
“No. Silly mortal. Why would I?”
“I mean…it’s Leon.”
“Who means nothing to me, save for an irritation that I cannot feel his soul.”
“But he’s such a…oh, gods damn it, fine. I get it. But I know him,” I groaned, “so I can’t say that I want him to lose, either. Whenever the trial comes, I will just have to sit back and watch.”
“Just be sure that you watch from afar,” Thanatos stressed. “I have an idea of what Hades might do. The violence will follow the demigod, so you should be protected if you stay inside the temple walls. Hide there. I need you to be safe.”
“I’ll be alright,” I reassured him. “I can’t even go outside, anyway! Besides, my part in this is finished now. Everyone has heard the words that were given. There is nothing I can do but wait.”
“If anyone dies, I will know what is happening,” he reminded me. “I will come to make sure you are safe, but you must take caution as well. Promise me?”
“I promise.” Of course I would be careful. I wanted nothing more to do with the prophecy that had drained me so much. My head still ached, and my eyelids were heavy with weariness.
Thanatos scooped me against his chest, fitting my head beneath his chin. “Rest,” he said. “Hypnos can borrow you, so long as I can hold you all the while.” He rubbed my back with light, soothing strokes.
I made a sound of appreciation and kissed the skin closest to my lips. As I drifted off to sleep, pressed warmly against his body, I made it a point to remind him one last time.
“I love you, Thanatos. You’d better not forget it.”
“Your love is written on my heart. Thus shall it endure forever.”