Page 36 of Touch of Death
After all, I am the one who killed her with a kiss she never asked for. Can I truly blame Hazel if she wants someone else?
Someone she can kiss without the threat of death.
My heart hardens again at the memory of their kiss, and I swallow back shame, furious with myself for breaking so easily. I swore to protect her, I should have known better than to come to this city with her, and now … I have led her straight into the lion’s den.
“Good,” Persephone says with a clap of her hands, dragging my attention back to her. “I am glad that is settled.”
I grimace at her forced cheeriness and note the way she avoids meeting my eye as she takes a step back. I watch her, sensing unease starting to creep in at the edges of her perfumed air.
“Will you be back?” Hazel asks.
“Yes,” she says. “As soon as I have news of Cerberus and my husband’s plans. Now, I really must be going; I have already been gone far too long as it is.”
With that, she hurries away. The moment her colorful skirts disappear around the corner, a chill rushes in to replace her conjured warmth, and I bristle as I turn back to Eros.
We say nothing to each other, and I consider, for the briefest of moments, how satisfying it would be to break his nose. From the way he is looking at me, I have no doubt he feels the same, but then his gaze shifts to Hazel.
“Come, let me show you where everything is,” he says, offering his hand to her. “I would like to make sure you have everything you need during your stay with me.”
Hazel moves away from me, and I immediately feel the loss of her touch.
“Your room is lovely,” she says, walking past his offered hand as she steps further into his bedroom. Perhaps she did not notice it, but this slight has hope taking root in my chest. I know better than to believe that she is completely immune to Eros’ charms, but perhaps she is not as easily swayed by them as I thought.
I see the way Eros is drawn to her …feelthe way he seems unable to stop searching the room for her, despite his supposed distaste for lesser mortal souls.
Trailing behind them, I watch as he follows her, and she shifts slightly away each time he steps too close. I cannot help the faintest of smiles from tugging at my lips at the way she interacts with him.
Is it possible that I was wrong? Is she not affected by Eros’ power at all?
It seems too good to hope for. Perhaps she simply means not to offend me by throwing herself at him, but even that would suggest his charms do not hold as much power over her as they should.
Either way, I have no intention of letting her out of my sights. Especially not with him at her side. He is a danger to her, even if neither of them sees the other in that way.
I know far too much about Eros’ past. I have seen the way men and women alike have tossed themselves at his feet, only to be cast aside, their bodies and souls drained and broken. I will not allow that to happen to Hazel.
My gaze follows the two of them about the room, my body ready to act at a moment’s notice, should I need to. Hazel nods and smiles politely as Eros shows her every little detail of the room.
It seems unnecessary, but I resist the urge to step in. Hazel moves to stand in front of the windowed wall, Eros stepping into place behind her, and I watch as he moves to place his hand on the small of her back.
I see black, my fists clenching as my shadows stir, waiting for my command, but I am saved from action by a servant suddenly appearing at the door.
“My lord,” the creature says, glancing warily at me, “there is someone here to meet with you. I told him to wait in the main courtyard.”
“Ah, it seems that duty calls,” Eros says, returning Hazel to my side. “I am afraid we must part ways for now. I will be sure to send someone to escort you to dinner before too long.”
Eros gives me a look before motioning for the servant to lead the way, closing the doors behind him.
Silence fills the space where he once was, and I almost let out a sigh of relief to finally have him gone. To finally have a few moments alone with Hazel and away from prying eyes and ears.
“I—”
“How—” Hazel says at the same time, and we both pause. She lets out a small laugh, teasing a smile to my lips as our eyes meet.
“You first, little one,” I say as she glances away, her cheeks flushing.
“How …” she starts hesitantly. “How exactly do you think Eros plans on teaching me?”
The smile slips from my face, though hidden behind my mask, and a sigh of frustration escapes me before I can stop it. Hazel looks up, her brow worried with concern, patiently waiting for me to answer as I try my best to temper my displeasure over the thought first.
