Page 70 of Bride of Death

She’s awake and silent, her nerves obviously shot by everything she’s seen and heard tonight.

I tighten my hold, something Hades notices because he stares at my arms. “That sweater looks awful on you. Burn it,” he demands. Then vanishes without another word.

But his residual ire is a chill in the air I feel all around us.

Sera must sense it as well because she shudders.

“I’m going to give you ten minutes to recover in peace,” I murmur, carrying her into her room to her bed. “While you do that, I’ll fix something up in the kitchen. Then we will talk while we eat.”

Because I assume by then she’s going to have a thousand questions or comments to voice.

I gently set her on the bed, only to find her hand knotted in the sweater I’m wearing. When I try to pry her fingers off the thick wool, she winces.

Frowning, I ask, “Do you want me to hold you for a little bit?”

Her head barely moves in a nod, but it’s the most noteworthy reaction I’ve ever seen from her.

Because she’s asking for comfort.

This strong, resilient woman who has verbally sparred with countless fae at the bar… needs to be cuddled.

Although, I suppose those obnoxious males pale in comparison to learning one’s soul caused the downfall of an entire realm.

“Okay, trouble,” I murmur. “But let me take off my shoes first.”

I should probably remove hers as well.

It takes a moment for her to release the sweater, but once she does, I run my hand along her calf and slowly unzip her boots. She seems to relax as I do so, her body enjoying my touch. Or perhaps she’s just pleased to be free of her shoes.

I pull off her socks next, then work on my own footwear.

Once my feet are bare, I consider her and her bed. She looks so soft and vulnerable. But the way she’s watching me is intense. It’s like she plans to come after me if I walk away.

I almost wish I could read her mind. Though, something tells me that would be dangerous.

Yet probably enlightening, too.

And absolutely none of my business.

With a resigned sigh, I slip into her bed and instantly note how hard the mattress is. If she were in any other mood, I would ask her how she sleeps on this every day.

But since she’s not in a teasing headspace, I simply pull her into me.

She nuzzles my chest as she curls herself against me, her legs tangling with mine. It says a lot that she’s doing this with someone she hardly knows.

Has anyone ever held you like this?I wonder. It starts as a sad question in my mind but quickly morphs into a true concern.Have you ever been touched?

I realize she belongs to Hades. And maybe Morpheus. That’s fine.

But the notion of anyone coming before us, er,them, is maddening.

She’s not meant for others.

I frown. If anyone else has held her like this, I’ll kill them.

Unless it was Alina. I can understand that. But that’s it. Only sisters. No other men.Never another man.

Only I can touch her like this. Well, Morpheus and Hades, too.