“But, much to my dismay,” he added, collecting my wrists, “that will not be today.”
Ataraxus’s chest heaved, and I could already feel the precum of his cock against my abdomen, which was otherwise dry, above the water.
“Why?”
Ataraxus’ eyes slipped shut, jaw flexing as if he were bearing the weight of some great pain. He dropped his forehead to mine, and I swore toAkashI couldn’t even fucking pretend I wasn’t trying to inhale this male’s panted breaths.
After a few moments, he finally straightened and stepped back slightly to leave room for chastity as he drew one of my hands to his mouth and pressed a kiss to the inside of my palm. All the while, his dark eyes peered into mine. When they snagged on Malekai’s name, his lips parted in something like awe. Though I saw no hint of jealousy.
“I know this is going to sound weird, but I need you to speak with your uncle.”
I rear back.“My uncle?”
I’ve never even?—
My words cut off as some memory that feels more like a distant dream flashes through my mind.“In time, his memories will return…”
The confusion pummelling me was dizzying. I dropped my forehead into one of my hands, and the next thing I knew, Ataraxus was sweeping me up in his arms and carrying me across the bathing pool. He then set me down in a carved-out seated area beside several bottles of oils and bath salts.
Ataraxus sat in the lounge seat beneath the water and pulled me against him so that I could sit with my back to his front. For the first time in as long as I could remember, I felt safe. My heart squeezed as my body relaxed into him.
“He’s cominghere?”
Ataraxus huffed a laugh behind me as he lathered a fragrant liquid in his hands and beganmassaging it. Into. My hair.
Some strange emotion clogged my throat, and my eyes began to burn. This gentle touch was unlike anything I’d ever known.This male is taking care of me. Grooming me, for Akash’s sake,instead of fucking me senseless to chase his own pleasure.
“No, he’ll bring you to his realm. As soon as you fall asleep.”
I was certain most people would still be fretting over the dizziness, confusion, and whatever it was that still needed to come to light. Or having an appointment with the God of Dreams.
But for me, the most unusual thing was this kind male, his gentle touch, and howsafeI felt in his arms.
Ataraxus must have noticed the wobble in my chin, or the biting of my cheek. His gravelly voice became tinged with sadness.“Akash,what you must have been through, Mareina, for something so simple as this to incite the healing of a deeply buried wound.”
One of his hands found mine and wove our fingers together.
The emotion welling up in my chest drove me to silence. Ataraxus continued washing me, and arousal soon replaced catharsis. Ataraxus’ heavy cock was like an iron rod against my back. The rumble of his voice drew me out of the haze I was slipping into.
“Does yourarcanumhave a name?
My brows leapt as a pang of guilt rung through me
“It hadn’t even crossed my mind… I hardly know anything aboutarcanum,actually.”
“They’re something like a witch’s familiar, but for a god. They can enhance your magic, manifest into physical forms other than a serpent for extended periods of time, guard you when you’re sleeping… I’ve even heard something about a few of them being able to influence time itself because their power draws not from your own, but something else.Somewhereelse. Azrael has one...”
My brows pinched as my mind wandered.
Cerebus.
Azrael’s words return to me.‘… Her will is my own.’
My eyes landed on the sleeping serpent laying in the center of my chest.
“I don’t know much about my power either. I’ve only just recently come into it. Though I’m not entirely sure Iwantto know much about it.”
Ataraxus stilled beneath me. “Why?”