Page 80 of Touch of Death
With that, he drops his hands from me, and I’m left wondering what to do as I move away from the dance floor.
The last thing I want is to go to him, but what choice do I have? I have won his favor, but for how long? I didn’t even have a chance to ask him a single question, let alone find out where he might keep the key to the Underworld.
People and creatures press in as I try to move through them, suddenly feeling more trapped than ever. Overwhelmed, I slip from the ballroom.
The corridor is quiet as I press my back against the cold crystal wall and let out a sigh. I give myself a few seconds before attempting to collect myself.
This is what I want, I remind myself. This is what we needed to happen. Still, I can't help the wariness and regret that overtakes me at the thought of Hades will want from me.
Pushing myself away from the wall, I take a deep breath before starting toward the ballroom again. I barely make it more than a few steps before inky darkness swirls up around me.
Spinning, I watch as Death emerges from the shadows, his eyes burning in their intensity as they remain fixed on me. Without a word, he pulls me to him and presses my back up against the wall once again. He covers my body with his, cloaking us both in shadows as he brings a gloved hand to my face, running his thumb gently over my cheek.
“Let us be done with this,” he breathes. “Come away with me, Hazel. Let us find each other in the pool and forget we ever came here. Let me bring down this realm for you.”
“We have a plan, Sydian,” I whisper, swallowing hard as I try to force myself not to get distracted by how much I want to do just as he says.
“To hell with the plan. To hell with them all,” Death growls. “I cannot stand the sight of you with him nor the thought of you giving yourself to him in any way. Please, we can find another way.”
Unable to stop myself, I nod. That’s all he needs before he grabs my hand and pulls me away from the wall and down the corridor. We say nothing as we slip through the palace, my heels echoing off the crystal, we all but run toward the entryway.
“My shoes,” I say when I nearly twist my ankle exiting Hades’ palace.
“Damn them,” Death growls, spinning to bend me over his shoulder while he slips them off and tosses them aside before sweeping me up into his arms. “I’d rather carry you anyway.”
Sticking to the shadows of the city, we move through the streets before finally finding our way back to Eros’ palace. Death carries me through the golden halls as we make our way back to the pool.
Stopping beside it, Death moves to set me down just as I see a familiar glint of red in his pocket. I don’t know what comes over me, but I can’t seem to help myself as I reach to pull it out.
My heart thuds in my chest as I stare down at the package tied off with a red ribbon.
“Where did you get this?” I ask, looking up at Death as he stills.
“Hazel, I—”
“Where did you find this?”
“In the forest, where I met you.”
“When?”
Death hesitates before answering, “The day I met you.”
“And you didn’t give it to me?”
“I meant to, but—”
“But you lied about it. You told me you hadn’t found it. Why?”
“I … I could not bear to give you something that reminded you of the love of another man.” I shake my head as I take a step back from him, my heart shattering within me as I try to process what he’s just said. “Please, Hazel, I never meant to hurt you.”
“And yet, you have. Would you separate me from everyone who loves me?” I say, my voice choked as I turn and race out of the garden.
“Hazel, wait!”
I don’t stop. I don’t look back as I tear through the palace and burst out onto the streets of the strange city. My bare feet ache as they slap against the stone, but still, I don’t stop.
Somehow, I make it to the city gates and slip out, disregarding the sound of my name being called out behind me as I sprint off toward the towering forest. Reaching the edge of the trees, I pause, wariness finally settling over me as I peer into the darkness beyond.
