Page 63 of Touch of Death
My annoyance grows as I realize hours have passed since she went to bed. Hours that I could have been sleeping happily next to the mortal now wasted because this stubborn fool would rather stand out here than admit the truth of his feelings. Or, at the very least, give her some explanation.
“Come back into the room so we can finally get some rest.”
“No, it is best I do not upset her any further.”
“I am far too tired to waste more of my breath arguing with you,” I say. “I would like to sleep in my bed, and if that means I must find a way to drag you into it, then so be it.”
“Do not make me laugh,” Death snorts. “I should have known you would stop at nothing to get what you want.”
“And yet, I have.”
“What?”
“Your mortal will not allow me near the bed without you. It seems that if I would like to sleep in my own bed, then I must share it with you.”
Death’s shadows pull back slightly at this.
“Is this true?”
“Yes, now, will you join us in bed so that I can finally get some sleep?” I ask, turning to push open the doors.
Death hesitates for a moment before moving past me, and I follow him back inside the room. If I could, I would have left him out in the hall, letting his mind wonder as to what was happening between us.
But I know that Hazel will never allow me to claim her, any part of her, without him. So, if that is the sacrifice that I must make to be close to her, then so be it.
I will suffer Death’s presence to win her favor
28
Hazel
Igroan, waking to find myself covered in a damp sweat. Again, as I shift, I find that an arm is flung over my hips, anchoring me to a sleeping Eros.
I freeze as I peer around the room; it seems that he was unable to keep his promise to me. Death is nowhere to be found.
I should have known better than to trust him. Anger at myself and my naivety fills me as I attempt to wriggle my way out of Eros’ arms.
Despite what he told me last night, I am still uncertain about him and his intentions … and this just proves I shouldn’t let my guard down around him.
Eros’ arm feels heavier than ever, and no matter how much I squirm, I’m unable to free myself. My heart pounds in my chest as I worry that I’m just making things worse as I feel him shift behind me.
Movement draws my eyes to the corner of the room. I squint against the darkness as I try to make out what is there.
“Death?” I whisper.
Almost immediately, the darkness takes the shape of Death. He steps forward, coming to crouch before the bed. Our eyes meet, and I try to ignore the way my pounding heart calms at the sight of him.
He was here, after all. He didn’t leave me alone with Eros.
“Yes, little one?” he asks, his voice strained but gentle, my heart aching in my chest at the sound of his voice.
“I need ...” I want to know why he was lurking in the shadows across the room instead of lying next to me, but I bite my tongue to stop myself from asking. “I need your help. I can’t move.”
For a moment, I swear I see disappointment in his eyes as he watches me, but then he nods, standing and breaking our eye contact. Surely, I’m just seeing what I want to, what Iwishwas there. Sleep must still have some claim over me.
He says nothing as he leans over me, and I’m all too aware of how careful he is to keep space between us. He never once touches me as he lifts Eros’ arm off of me, allowing me to slip away from his side.
“Thank you.”
