Page 73 of The Death God
Thanatos change position and grimaced at how heavy and uncooperative his limbs were. “To the house. When are you going?”
She didn’t answer.
“Have you talked to Rufus and Gregory about it?”
“I will.” Her gaze slid away.
“You will? You sounded so sure in the kitchen. And perhaps it’s for the best.”
She looked into his eyes again and frowned. “For the best?”
“If you don’t like it here, then go. They already regret saving Prophecy, don’t make them regret saving you too. I’m sure Jaki will get over you leaving.”
“They don’t regret saving Prophecy! They’re only joking when they say that.”
Thanatos chuckled. “Sure.” Then he grew serious. “I mean it, Minerva. Go. It’s obvious Prophecy doesn’t want to be here, and if you want to be with him, then leave.”
“Leave where?”
“I don’t know. Get some sort of identification, get a job, find an apartment.”
“You want me away from the castle?” A look of hurt swept over her face.
“No, you want away from the castle, remember? You’re living in a prison here.” Yes, he might still be angry, he could acknowledge it to himself.
“I know nothing about living a real life.”
“None of us do, but if I was given a choice, I’d stay right here. If you don’t feel the same way, then you should go.”
“I…Yeah, maybe. I’ll ask Rufus about moving into the house.”
He smiled at her. Moving into the house would change little, but if it was what she wanted. He might even miss checking Prophecy’s death every morning. Maybe. On the plus side, there would be less dishes to take care of.
She squeezed his hand—not triggering a prophecy, which meant she’d already had one today—and walked toward the door. She had no sooner left the room than Gregory appeared by the bed, moving a little too fast. “I like you.”
“Eavesdropping?”
“You’re my mate. I love you. I never want to be apart from you.”
“Easy.” Thanatos held up a hand.
“No, you don’t get it.” He tugged at the cover, slipped in under, and gathered him in his arms. “Twice I’ve seen you almost die. It stops now, you hear? No more stepping in front of bullets.”
A laugh bubbled out of him, and he slid his arm over Gregory’s torso. “I’ll do my best.”
“You had better because next time you die, I’ll die with you.”
It chilled him. “Fuck, Gregory. That wasn’t a smart decision.”
“I don’t care. I want you with me all the time, through time.”
Thanatos nodded and tilted his head, silently begging for a kiss. Forever tied to a crazy vampire who bought castles and killed people for a living.
He guessed things could be worse.
Epilogue
Four weeks later
