Page 76 of Touch of Death
“Turn your back to him as you step closer,” Eros orders distantly, and this time I don’t hesitate.
I turn, and Death’s hands wrap around my waist to pull me flat against his body. Immediately, I can feel the heat ignite between us as one of his hands moves up the center of my body to grab my neck, gently pulling it to one side as he dips his masked face to the exposed skin there.
“Finally,” Eros interrupts with a loud, slow clap. “That is it. That is what you have to bring to the ball. Hades will stand no chance.”
The reminder that Eros is watching us is enough to have me stepping away as Death shoots a murderous look his way. Eros is crouched by the pool, an arm’s length away from us, frowning down into the water.
“I just need you to maintain that level of desire.”
“Maybe I could if you didn’t keep interrupting,” I answer.
“Or perhaps you need more hands-on instruction,” Eros says, leaning forward to dip his fingers in the pool.
That’s all it takes for his face to shift. Gone is his frustration with us, replaced by desire as it burns in his gaze. He stands and reaches for me before I realize what’s happening.
“Eros,” Death warns, but our host doesn’t listen as he drops his lips to mine. Before he can kiss me, though, Death reacts.
I am pulled back against Death’s chest just as he kicks Eros square in the middle of his. I let out a cry of surprise as I watch Eros disappear beneath the metallic glint of the water.
I wait for him to resurface, prepared for him and Death to throw themselves at each other.
Except, he doesn’t resurface.
“Death,” I say, my panic growing as I look up at him. “Save him!”
I can’t even make out Eros’ form within the pool, but I don’t have to in order to know what’s happening. He’s caught in his own longing as it slowly drowns him. Death lets out a deep sigh before releasing me and jumping into the pool.
Wading through the water, he reaches for Eros, tugging him back to the surface before depositing him on the edge of the pool. Crumpled in a heap, Eros coughs and gasps for air as thick golden liquid splatters on the ground.
“Eros, are you okay?” I ask, tentatively reaching out to place a hand on his shoulder but pulling back as he flinches away from my touch.
His eyes seem to clear for just a moment as he stares down at the ground. Gold streaks staining his otherwise pale skin and hair. Then he pulls himself up, the liquid dripping from him and finding its way back to the pool.
“That is enough for today.”
“But today is all we have.”
“She is ready,” Eros snaps. Then, with little more than a glance toward us, the pale god excuses himself.
I watch as he disappears into the gardens before turning to Death.
“What was that?” I ask.
“What?”
Annoyance flares in me as I stare at him. I’d rather not spend what little time we have remaining before the masquerade arguing, but I hate the way his eyes flash as he stares down at me.
“Would you have let him drown if I hadn’t asked you to save him?”
Death hesitates before answering, “Yes.”
“Why?”
“He is consumed by his own longing for you—”
“So, what if Eros longs for me? Is that enough of a reason to let him die?”
“Of course not. But….”
