Page 134 of Bonds of Hercules
My blood was poisonous. Maybe this was how it worked. I attracted people with my light—then violently slaughtered them.
I also had no idea what sexual dimorphism meant, but from how awkward things had always been for me, I probably had it. I stared at my shaking hands (antennas?).
“Breathe, carissima,” Kharon said hoarsely. “Don’t panic. You’re going to figure out what it means.”
I already have—I’m a hideous fish.
As I stared down at the floor in shock, the full weight of what had just transpired crashed over me.
Strange, dangerous glow aside, Ihadn’tkilled Kharon or Augustus.
I’d done it.
For the second time in my life, I’d controlled my power.
We werestillbonded.
Tears mixed with my chuckles as I leaned back into the chair with exhaustion.
“Wait? I can still feel—” Kharon’s eyes widened.
He tried to stand up but collapsed back onto his knees.
Augustus panted, still splayed on the floor. “Why?” he asked. “It doesn’t make any sense … We gave you an out.”
“We gave you the divorce thatyouwanted.” Kharon frowned. “But you stopped. Why?”
Rubbing my face tiredly, I looked anywhere but at them.
“Alexis,” Augustus said, his voice tight. “Why?”
“I want to … give us a chance,” I whispered, feeling lightheaded. “It’s just physical now, but … maybe we can be … more … some day?”
A muffled shout echoed, and the table rattled.
Augustus held his side as he sat up, and Kharon shifted at my feet.
The air crackled with tension.
Wait, what is happening?
“Carissima,” Kharon purred, eyes half-lidded and smoldering, as he wiped at his bloody face, revealing smooth unmarred skin. He grabbed on to the table. It creaked against his weight as he hoisted himself to his feet. “I’msosorry for everything I’ve done to hurt you—you deserve better than me.”
I gripped my chair for dear life.
Kharon loomed over me, blocking out the rest of the room as his breath fanned against the shell of my right ear.
“If what we have was just physical,” he said quietly, “I’d lay you out on this table and kiss your lips. Then I’d stroke myself as Augustus did the same.”
My nails dug into the arms of the chair.
Kharon breathed heavily. “And while Augustus was busy with your lips, I’d kiss your mouth.”
I jerked, face heating as I realized what he’d meant.
“Then… Augustus and I would sit down in two chairs across from each other—we’d pass you back and forth, fucking you on our laps, forhours.”
Kharon paused as he smirked down at me. “We’d fuck you until you couldn’t walk, and they couldn’t look you in the eyes without picturing us thrustingdeepinside of you.”
