Page 65 of Artemis' Bow
“Tristan said you would show us to our rooms. Beth is dead on her feet.”
“Are you okay?” Colby asks.
“Yeah, buddy. Just tired. We had a long drive today all the way from California.” I pat his shoulder.
“I’ll show you to your rooms. Pups, it’s time for you all to go to bed too. We’ll let your parents know you’ve shifted back and are free to go in the morning,” the beta says.
The kids all say goodbye to us and we get back into the elevator, only traveling one floor this time. It feels like a waste when I climb twelve flights of stairs on a daily basis, but I don’t say anything because I’m exhausted and just ready for sleep.
He shows us to a room and nods for me and Jayden to go inside. “We’ll see you guys in the morning.”
I don’t even get to admire the room before Jayden has me in his arms, carrying me into the attached bedroom. He lays me on the bed and I’m out before my head even hits the pillow.
Waves crash over the white sand beach I find myself sitting on, staring at the clear blue sky.
“What am I doing here, old man?” I ask as I turn to Nereus.
“I thought you could use the reminder.” He shrugs.
“You mean my daily nightmares aren’t reminder enough, you come to torture me in my sleep too? I never wanted this but I’m here and doing it.” I clench my hands into fists, draped over my bent knees.
“I didn’t make you experience anything he isn’t capable of himself. Nereus sayss.
“Don’t fucking play with me. I’m sick to death of your games. You have done nothing but make me despise you. I don’t deserve this when I consistently go out of my way to save everyone else, Nereus. It’s bullshit. We both know I will do what needs to be done.”
“Do we, though?” Nereus raises an eyebrow. “I don’t know which path you will choose. There are many.”
“Pulling me here in my sleep was a power play to make sure I do what you want. It’s fucked that you thought Lotus Island was the best place for this chat, but I shouldn’t be surprised.” I shake my head in disgust.
“There are many paths. Some you go to the end of all this and fail, some where you’re pushed too far and you throw your hands up, and a few where you must choose. Those paths are the ones I’m most concerned about.”
“Really? You’re most concerned with me choosing love over duty?” I laugh without humor. “The paths where I’m pushed too far and just up and quit should be the ones that concern you because I promise you if I end up on one of them, the end of the world is on your head. The blood of innocents will not stain my hands because it’s you who will push me too far.”
Nereus shifts in the sand uncomfortably. “Every one of those paths I push you too hard.”
“So, why are you dragging me to Lotus Island trying to push me even more? I will do what I always do. I will not fail. It’s not an option for any of us.”
Nereus sighs. “The paths are still uncertain. There is still much to be done.”
“So, why don’t you do something constructive rather than veiled threats, like dragging me back into my nightmares?” I shake my head.
The old man of the sea turns his gaze back on the waves. “The burden of sight is still a burden on those long lived as we are. If I tell you too much, then we could end up losing. It could change everything.”
“You probably changed things dragging me here because I think I hate you more than ever,” I growl. “Which side are you really on? Because if I say I’m done, I’m fucking done and I don’t care if the world burns. If you fuck with me again, I am out.”
I stand up and walk to the waves, trying to force myself to wake up, but I just keep staring at the crashing waves, almost in a trance, until my fingers begin to tingle and heat pools low in my belly. What in Hades is happening to me?
I rub my thighs together as phantom hands grip them.
“Wake up, my love,” Jayden says from far away.
I blink my eyes open and moan as a wet tongue slides up my inner thigh. My fingers thread through Jayden’s white-blond hair and tug him where I need him most.
“Fuck, Jayden, what are you doing to me?” I pant.
“Eating my breakfast.” He chuckles, the vibrations sending heat through my core.
“Oh gods.” I arch my back as my hands tighten in his hair.
