Page 35 of Patron of Mercy

“Binti?”

Thanatos shrugged. “Your library’s small. And it’s a good book.”

“It’s agreatbook.”

“Don’t tell me you’re looking forward to space travel.”

Lach chuckled. “I’ve always wondered if Mis could fly.”

With a shrug, Thanatos said, “Sure. Sounds like you. Can’t be satisfied with a magic boat. Now you want her to fly.”

Thanatos’s smile didn’t meet his eyes, and Lach felt a weight settle uncomfortably in his stomach. He could appreciate what he had. Sort of.

Okay, so he didn’t take time to smell the roses all that often. When Lach got what he wanted—treasure, immortality, the best pizza in the city—he enjoyed it for one second, and the next, he was thinking about what else he needed to hoard and steal for himself.

Lach forced a grin. “If Mis never flew, she’d still be the best thing I’ve got,” he mumbled, straightening.

Thanatos nodded. “Did you need something?”

At that, a weak laugh escaped Lach. He rubbed the back of his neck. “Well, a favor.”

Thanatos only raised his eyebrows in invitation to continue.

“Mis, light of my life, joy of my days”—at Lach’s obvious flattery, Thanatos scoffed—“won’t let me sleep in the second cabin.”

“What do you mean?” Thanatos asked.

“She takes away the bed.”

“Sorry?” His dark brows furrowed.

“Like folds it up. Throws me off. Apparently, it’s not mine. But the bench isreallyuncomfortable.” Lach grimaced. That antsy, prickling feeling returned—a warning not to push his luck too far. It’d been days since Thanatos had let Lach into his bed, and after their encounter, Thanatos hadn’t mentioned it at all. He’d been easier around Lach in some ways—they’d settled into a rhythm—but there seemed a firm line that Lach wasn’t allowed to cross. Not a second time, anyway.

“Uh huh.” That dry assessment said Thanatos thought he was up to something. He wasn’t entirely wrong.

“I was wondering if I could sleep in here?”

Lach watched a cloud pass over Thanatos’s face. His heart raced in his chest. This was wrong. He shouldn’t have asked. What was a little discomfort?

Only Thanatos didn’t look angry. “I apologize,” he said, rolling out of bed. “I didn’t think—do you mind if I take the book with me?”

“No! I mean, of course not. You can take it if you want, but you, um...” Lach swallowed hard. Forced another smile. “You don’thaveto go. If you don’t want. You can. I think—I think she meant the other cabin as a space for you. But you could stay here. I’d prefer it, really.”

Thanatos stared at him, the book clutched to his chest, incredulous. Heat swept up the back of Lach’s neck. He shook his head.

“Not what I mean,” Lach added. “Best behavior.” He held up his right hand like there were something he could swear on. “I don’t want to kick you out.” He could see there on the tip of his tongue that Thanatos would say it was fine and be gone in a flash. “And I’d like the company,” he added.

After all, their nap had been the best he’d slept in ages. There was something comforting about having Thanatos with him.

For a few moments, Lach thought he’d leave anyway, but Thanatos sighed through his nose and sank back onto the mattress. “I suppose I can stay.”

Lach didn’t try to stifle the grin on his face. “Great! That’s great.”

He stripped down to his boxers and climbed under the covers. He thought he caught Thanatos sneaking a peek, but Lach didn’t comment. Instead, he dropped his head on the pillow and looked up at the god beside him.

Thanatos was content to let him have the victory. He opened the book in his lap again. “Will the light bother you?”

“Not a bit,” Lach promised.

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