Page 6 of Underworld

As we step into the room, I immediately stop and take in the space. This is not one of the guys’ rooms; it doesn’t match any of their personalities. It’s decorated with deep red and black fabrics that cover the cave walls. Moroccan lanterns cover the ceiling that leads to a large Moroccan chandelier in the center of the room. The light from it throws delicate patterns around the room. I release the guys' hands as I walk farther into the space. Looking to my right, I see a bathroom and run over to investigate. I find that the Moroccan theme has also carried into here. Dropping my gaze to the floor, I notice that the floors don’t match the ones in the hallways. The flooring in the bedroom and bathroom is made up of deep red and black hexagonal tiles. It’s fucking beautiful. The bathroom holds a large vanity, and I notice a deep-pink crown sitting on it by the sink. I smile as I continue to browse. There is a large black soaker tub in the corner that I bet is perfect for relaxing. They made a room for me. They hadn't seen me since I was ten, yet they believed they would find me. They believed so much that they made a room for me. I take a deep breath, trying to get my emotions under control, and turn to see the guys crowding around the bathroom doorway. “I’m assuming this room isn’t one of yours, considering the pink crown on the counter,” I tease. They all grin at me as Zane walks toward me.

“This is definitely not one of our rooms, Sunshine.” He stops in front of me. Reaching out slowly, he pushes a strand of prism-colored hair behind my ear. I nuzzle into his hand. Doubt creeps into my head when I think about how long we have been apart. Maybe this room wasn’t for me. Did it belong to another girl? Should I ask?

Taking a deep breath and dropping my eyes to the floor, I whisper, “Did it belong to one of your girlfriends?” I feel him gently brush his thumb across my cheek. Fuck, I don’t want to know the answer. Why did I even ask?! Thinking about them with other girls hurts my heart in a way I never thought possible. Of course, they were with other women, Jane! You were only friends! It’s not like you were romantically involved with these guys. Then why does it feel like my heart is tearing in four different directions? Fuck. Jane, you are not allowed to fall in love with your best friends. Yes, I said I would be with them, but that doesn’t mean romantically. Right? I can feel my eyes starting to burn. No! NO! Don’t fucking cry again!

“Sunshine? Look at me.” I shake my head, refusing to look up. No. I know the minute I do, the tears will fall, and I refuse to cry over something as stupid as them having previous girlfriends. He releases his hold on my face, and I want to whimper at the loss until he pulls me into his chest and wraps his arms around me. I take a deep breath, and his musky smell surrounds me. He smells woodsy and smoky. I take a few more deep breaths and start to calm down. “We made this room for you and only you,” he whispers.

Hearing the others come in, I squeeze myself tighter against Zane. Stupid fucking tears. “I didn’t expect you guys to be saints,” I manage to say between hiccups. He holds me even tighter. I feel someone come up beside me and join in the hug, and I hiccup out a laugh because I know it’s Howe. Alec places himself on my other side, leaving Jace at my back.

I feel him rest his forehead against the back of my head. He sighs and says, “I’m not going to lie to you and say we were saints while we searched for you.” I huff. I’m not angry, and the hurt isn’t as painful as I thought it would be hearing him say that. Maybe it’s because he’s not trying to hide it. “But I want to make one thing clear, Darling.” He moves so his lips are right by my ear. “Though you may be ours, we are just as much yours. We built this empire for you and only you. You are our Queen, always have been, and always will be.”

Chapter Seven

Jane

The guys had left me alone to enjoy some time in my new room. Now that I’m sitting on my bed, I’m slightly flushed, thinking about what happened in the bathroom. That was somewhat embarrassing. Why the hell would I ask them about other women? Falling back onto the bed, I let out a deep sigh. Grumbling to myself, I burrow under the black and red comforter. It’s been a while since I’ve even had a bed, let alone somewhere comfortable to sleep. I’m pulled from rambling thoughts by a snickering sound, and my eyes fly open when I realize I’m no longer alone in the room. Fuck! I guess they didn’t want to leave me alone for long. As I slowly lift my head, I find all the guys standing at the edge of my bed. I didn’t even hear them come in. I notice Alec is covering his mouth as if to smother the snicker he already let out. I raise a brow in question.

He shrugs. “You were burrowing into the bed like a little kitten.” I feel my cheeks heat in embarrassment. He grins as he says, “It’s cute, Moonbeam.”

“Well, I haven’t had a bed this nice in years,” I grumble and reply, letting my head fall back onto the bed. The bed bounces beside me, and I turn to find Howe lying on his belly a few inches away from my face.

He grins before saying, “He didn’t mean anything by it, Starlight.” I roll my eyes. In response to my eye roll, someone lets out a deep, primal growl in front of my face. My eyes widen, and I can’t help the shiver that races down my spine. I hear a quiet squeak on my other side and turn toward the noise to find Alec there, nibbling his lip with wide eyes. Turning back to Howe, I find his face still mere inches from mine. His light hazel eyes darken as a satisfied smirk takes over his face. Well. I’m going to have to investigate that later. Mhm. The possibilities. I’m brought out of my thoughts when I notice Howe’s lips moving.

“Wait, what?”

He grins. “I was saying that maybe Alec needs to apologize since you thought he was making fun of you.” He raises his eyes, then a brow to the male in question. I look back to Alec on my other side. Wow, I feel like a damn yo-yo flipping my head back and forth. I find Alec gaping like a fish. He opens and closes his mouth, looking slightly panicked. I can't help the giggle that erupts from me. He looks completely lost, almost as if Howe is reprimanding him instead of me. I hope this friendship comes with some benefits because I can see Howe and me having some fun with Alec, if you know what I mean.

At my giggling, Alec narrows his eyes at me. I flip onto my belly with a grin and army crawl over to him. I lay on my back and rest my head on his lap. Then, smiling up at him, I say, “Oh, get that frown off your face. You love me too much to stay mad at me.” He rolls his eyes but starts running his fingers through my hair. I raise my hand and rub the frown line between his brows. “Plus, frowning will give you lines, and you are way too pretty to have frown lines.” At that, he huffs out a laugh. The other guys move closer to us, and I close my eyes, enjoying the comforting feel of Alec’s fingers running through my hair. I feel at home here, surrounded by my guys.

Who would have thought I would be here snuggling with my boys just a few moments after meeting Hades? Not me. I would have laughed in your face if you had told me this was how the night would turn out. I have my boys back. I have a bed. I have a bathtub. Oh! I have a bathtub! I moan at the thought. Fuck! A bath would be heavenly right now. Wait. Remembering that I don’t have any clothes other than what’s in my backpack, I groan.

“What the fuck are you moaning and groaning about over there, Princess?”

I open one eye, trying to pinpoint Jace’s voice. “I was thinking about my less-than-adequate clothing choices. Also, I thought I was the Queen?” I grin at him. He gives me a look, but I catch the twitch of his lip.

He waves his hand as if dismissing what I said. “We will go shopping for clothes tomorrow.” I watch as he crawls over the bed toward me. He keeps creeping closer till his face is hovering directly above mine. When I give an audible gulp, he gives me a wry smirk. “You are our Queen. You are my Princess.” He lowers his face till our lips are so close that I think he may kiss me. His breath whispers across my lips as he says, “Darling, I’m in awe of your abundant love and forgiveness.” I’m startled by his words and certainly too stunned to move. What’s that supposed to mean? Abundant love? Does he feel it too? The chemistry that seems to have magically appeared in just the short time I’ve been here? Or maybe we just built this reunion up in our heads, and the high is making me feel like there is something more than there really is. Ugh, I’m too much of a fucking coward to say anything because I don’t want to ruin what we have going on right now. Is it love if I feel like my heart is about to explode? Internally cringing, I wonder what a girl who hasn’t known love all her life has to offer. Do I even know what love is? I let out a sigh as Jace moves away.

“You can borrow some of our clothes for the night if you want to shower,” Howe says at my feet. I nod at him, unsure if my voice will come out steady. He gives me a wink, gets off the bed, and heads out the door. Jace and Zane head toward the door as well. I’m about to call out to them, not even sure what I will say, but they stop and turn back toward me.

“Enjoy the rest of your night, Princess. See you in the morning.” Jace leaves through the door, heading in the same direction as Howe.

“Rest, Sunshine. I’m sure this day has been overwhelming,” Zane says as he heads out the door.

“Night, Zane,” I call out before he disappears around the corner like the others. He gives me a grunt, and I can’t help but smile. It’s such a Zane thing to do. He never did well with emotions and mushy situations; it looks like that hasn’t changed. I find Alec staring down at me, and I smile up at him as he brushes his fingers over my forehead. Mhm. My eyes flutter closed. I always loved when he did this when I was younger. I sigh, feeling my muscles slowly release the tension I’ve pent up over the last few years.

“Hey, Jane,” he whispers.

“Mm?” I mumble back.

“Were you wanting to take a bath? Howe just returned with clothes and put them in the bathroom for you.” He continues to ghost his fingers across my face.

“Mhm.”

He softly laughs. “I can start the bath for you.”

I grin up at him. “Sounds great.” He gently removes my head from his lap, jumps up from the bed, and heads to the bathroom. I lie there for a few moments before I hear the rush of water. Grumbling to myself, I realize I now have to leave this comfortable bed. Rolling over, I hop off the bed and head to the bathroom. When I walk in, I find Alec hunched over the tub with his sleeves rolled past his elbows. He seems to be swirling the water around. “Whatcha doin?”

He turns to me with a smile. “I added some bath salts to the water.” Rising from the ground, he grabs a washcloth from the cupboard beside the bath. Wiping off the excess water, he says, “I know you prefer lilac, but we currently don’t have anything with that smell. I figured lavender would be okay, though. We can get more bath stuff tomorrow while we are out.”

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