Page 118 of Hades' Shadow
“Are we safe here?” I ask around a mouthful of jerky.
I can’t seem to care about manners when I’m this hungry.
“We aren’t safe anywhere in the underworld, but we are as safe as we can be here,” Jayden says as he sits back and leans back on his elbows.
I chew slowly, savoring the food. I’m not sure how long it will be before we can eat again or how long we will be wandering around Asphodel.
“I’m going to keep watch. You guys get some rest,” Jayden says, scanning the field.
“I’m actually feeling better. I’ll keep watch with you,” I say, staring down at my jerky.
“You need rest,” Jayden grumbles but doesn’t protest when I stand and move to sit next to him.
Raven claps her hands together. “Wake me up in a few hours to keep watch, then.”
Adrian nods his agreement.
They lie down several feet away and are asleep within minutes.
I wish it was that easy to fall asleep.
“What happened?” I ask Jayden.
Last I remember we were walking through Elysium and I was starving.
“I think you used too much magic and then walked for hours, exhausting yourself more.” Jayden shrugs but his eyes burn into mine. “You scared the hell out of me.”
“Sorry.” I sigh and shake my head.
I don’t remember passing out. Jayden must have carried me here.
“It’s okay. Just don’t do it again,” he says, bumping my shoulder with his.
“I can’t promise that, and you know it.” I smile at him.
“I know. It just terrifies me, the thought of you not being around. I can’t. Even when you are pissed at me or I am confused about us, it still scares me.”
“Jayden…” I say softly.
What can I say? I want him always but he needs to get out of his own way and prove that he wants me too.
“No, that wasn’t meant to guilt you or make you feel a certain way. I already told you I will prove to you that you’re the only one I want. I can’t do that here, though.”
He scans the meadow again. At least here nothing can jump out at us. If there is a problem, we will see it coming a mile away.
“So, you’re telling me that you want to prove yourself to me?” I ask with a frown.
“Yeah, and I can’t do that away from the academy. We do this on repeat. We get close out away from the academy, but when we get back everything implodes. I don’t want it to implode again and I know it’s mostly my fault.”
“Only mostly?” I scoff but smile.
“Yeah, the rest of the blame falls on Dax for kissing you,” he growls.
His arm snakes around my waist possessively. He pulls me in closer to his side.
“You have to stop using Mia as a way to punish me, Jayden. It’s not fair to me or her,” I say and lean my head on his shoulder.
“I told her before we left for the underworld that there is nothing between us and never will be.” He sighs into my hair.
