Page 120 of He Who Ignites The Flame
I turned my gaze from the window as the dancers approached us. A water nymph settled her glittering, sapphire eyes on me as her pearlescent blue lips curved into a sultry smile. The fae lights danced across herglistening turquoise skin with each dip of her hips as she sauntered toward us to the music alongside another dancer—an elf, one equally as beautiful and tantalizing.
“What’s the phrase humans use? When in Rome?” he whispered before rising to meet the elvish dancer, his hands sweeping out to scoop her up until her legs were wrapped around his waist. Flirtatious laughter slipped from her lips as he buried his face in her neck, peppering her tawny skin with slow, heated kisses.
The water nymph stepped closer, her sultry eyes dusted with powdered pearls, her body adorned with gemstones. She settled between my legs, the swell of her full hips brushing the inside of my thighs as her delicate fingers trailed up my legs, continuing up until they rested against my chest.
The sight of her didn’t stir anything, didn’t spark the flame within my chest to an inferno.
But did it have to?
I lifted my hand to hook my finger under her chin, guiding her gaze to mine. Tilting my head, I took in every detail of her: the way her lips parted, the way her full breasts rose and fell, her nipples taut and visible through the chiffon fabric of her dancing garments.
“When in Rome,” I muttered and leaned in to capture her lips.
49
BARRETT
Aknock rang at my door, and I groaned as I rolled over. Sunlight leaked from between the curtains near my bed, dappling the room in streaks of gold from the rising sun.
“Get dressed. Hades is ready to see us,” Atlas said from the other side of the door.
“About fucking time,” I muttered. It had been four days since we’d arrived, only to be barred in these rooms, unable to explore his city until our meeting. While he provided us with plenty of things to eat, drink, smoke, and fuck, something within me had grown anxious, the flames within my soul as restless as a scaled beast pacing within the confines of a cage.
A soft sigh dragged my attention to the sleeping female beside me, her rose-colored skin a stark contrast to the white sheets, the long, delicate tip of one of her ears peaking from her hair. The sheets ruffled enough to expose the dip and rise of her waist, sloping into the curve of her ass.
The last couple of days had been a haze, my mind constantly returning to Thalia and Micah. Every night, Hades had sent dancers forentertainment, and while they were skilled in the art of dancing and seduction, no matter how many females I fucked, I was left feeling empty, unsatisfied, needing more. My thoughts remained elsewhere despite Atlas’ antics, and our conversations I could barely remember. I couldn’t keep from wondering how Micah and Thalia were; wondering if Thalia would ever look at me the same after the way I had treated her.
Maybe I could find a place to lose myself in the Godsrealm, never set foot in the Mortalrealm again, leave Micah and Thalia to their happiness and avoid hurting her ever again. The possibility had plagued me over the last few days, and I’d warred with myself on the matter for too long.
I pushed myself out of bed and headed for the armoire, where the servants had provided us with clothes to wear during our stay.
Regardless of what I decided, I would have to return to the Mortalrealm once more to fill Damien in on everything I’d learned, tie up loose ends before I found somewhere to occupy my time. Would Hades have use of an immortal in his capital? He seemed to have use of Atlas from across the veil; perhaps he could find a purpose for me within his court.
A dull ringing filled my ears, and for a moment, the room around me shifted, blurring, and from the corner of my eye, I could have sworn I saw a figure sitting on the bed. As I blinked it vanished, the ringing fading, and I shook my head before pulling a shirt over my head.
Dressed in the fine attire befitting the noble houses of Hades’ domain, I stalked toward the door, not caring to wake or acknowledge the slumbering female in my bed who, for all I knew, had no name.
I didn’t care to know it.
“Apologies for the wait,” a deep voice echoed through the chamber as we entered through the arched doorway, the guards’ attentive eyes tracking our every movement as we passed them.
I wasn’t sure if this was intended to be a museum or trophy room for all the objects on display around us. Pedestals lined the walls, illuminated in a blue glow, all except one where the male who had spoken stood.
He was tall, a dark metal crown adorning his short black hair, which dusted the top of his ears in subtle waves. His onyx eyes drifted from me to Atlas, an ancient energy lighting them. At his side was the fae male I’d met countless times—Hades’ emissary, Santor. Santor was dressed in fine clothes, nothing like what I had ever seen him in on the other side of the Veil, his short horns polished to a near glow, his tail swaying back and forth.
“It’s been a while,” Atlas said as he drew closer and threw his arms around Hades, who welcomed him with an equally warm embrace.
“You’ve been a stranger lately,” Hades said as they released each other.
“I’ve been busy keeping things in line on the other side. The riff-raff can’t be left unattended, lest they ruin everything I’ve worked hard for,” Atlas said with a huffed laugh, and the sounds of their conversation faded, the ringing returning to my ears, a weight filling my bones as I looked around the room.
Giggles echoed through the hall, and I caught a glimpse of a girl with cornsilk hair disappearing through a doorway. I frowned, the room twisting and writhing like a dream.
“Hades, this is Barrett.”
I blinked as Atlas’ voice cut through the ringing, and I looked back at them.
“Ah, we finally meet,” Hades said, brows rising. “Atlas has spoken highly of you. He tells me you’re the man to get jobs done, no matter how dirty.”
