Page 9 of Artemis' Bow
“You need to put that shirt back on, Jayden. I can’t think with you like that.” I wave a hand in the general vicinity of his chest and abs.
Jayden chuckles, sauntering closer, and grips my hand. “You can touch them if you want to.”
He yanks me closer. I lose my balance, falling against him, and reach a hand out on his chest to keep from falling.
“Ew, you guys can’t focus for a second, can you?” Raven gags. “I thought we were contacting Hades, not groping each other in public.”
“The sun shining constantly has fried my brain,” I say.
“That’s a lie. Jayden’s abs did that, not the sun.” Raven giggles.
“It was at least the combination of the two.” I shrug.
We grab our water bottles and clean up the discarded weapons before heading to the dorm building to contact Hades. Jayden wraps an arm around me, and I sigh at the comfort he’s offering even as the niggling in my brain tries to warn against me getting too close.
He chose another life. He didn’t want the responsibility of saving the world. What if you have to make that choice again? You’ll be forced to choose between him and the world.
I shake my head to clear the intrusive thoughts. This is Jayden. Yes, we have had our issues in the past, but he would never ask me to stop trying to save everybody. If only I could force my brain to know what my heart already understands.
“We’ll figure this out,” Jayden says, kissing my temple.
He thinks the issue is Artemis. While that is a huge issue, it’s not what has me stiffly marching up the stairs right now. It’s Jayden’s arm around me while I ponder a choice I never want to have to make again. Is the third time the charm? That may just break me for good.
Raven glances at me from the corner of her eye. My best friend knows something’s up, but she won’t say anything in front of the group. That’s why I love her.
“It’s useless to worry over something you can’t change. We will fix this as Jayden said and meet the evil gods head-on. Together,” Raven says with a conviction I don’t feel.
“We don’t really have another choice, do we?” I ask.
“Not if we want to keep breathing,” Raven grumbles.
We get to the eleventh floor and even though there is a breeze in the building, sweat continues to pour down the back of my neck. The heat is unbearable which makes me wonder if we’re right about the possibility of an ice age after all.
‘C’mon.” Jayden pulls me into his creepy dorm room.
“Ugh, do we have to do this in here?” Raven complains. “The skulls are super creepy.”
“My father is more likely to respond if we’re in a place more suited to him. Do you have a better idea?” Jayden crosses his arms over his chest.
“This is the best option,” I say as my gaze travels down Jayden’s naked chest again.
Shit. I need to focus, damn it.
“How about you put a fresh shirt on before we call your dad and he gets the wrong idea about what’s going on here?” I say.
“Yeah, because that’s what you’re worried about.” Raven laughs. “You have a bit of drool there.”
“I do not.” I smack her arm with the back of my hand.
“I’ll go get a new shirt. I don’t want my dad any more distracted with possibilities than usual either and Olympus forbid Persephone to be there to witness it. She already has hearts in her eyes and I’m sure she’s planning a wedding in her head.”
“A wedding?” I splutter. “Is that… ugh, nope, need to save the world before we open up all that.”
I’m only twenty-one. I’m so not ready to get married. No matter how I feel about Jayden, that is a long way off for us.
“Try telling her that,” Jayden grumbles.
“As soon as this war and all the crazy is done, I will definitely be having that conversation with your stepmother,” I growl.
