Page 37 of Fallen Gods
I follow, stepping carefully over the rocky path until I reach the edge of the small spring. I’m not a fan of water. Ever since I was a kid, I’ve had nightmares about drowning. Probably a result of Odin tossing me into the mansion’s deep end as a child. His form of parenting was literally sink or swim. But this pool doesn’t trigger the lurching feeling of dread in my stomach—the water’s clear, and I can see the stone lining the walls and edges. The air is cool against my bare skin, but the moment I sink into the water, warmth overwhelms me.
What the hell am I doing?
“Reckless” doesn’t even cover it—I must be losing my mind…knowing what he could be capable of.
I need to get close, but this is too close, too soon.
I’ve only been here a day, and I’m already skinny-dipping with the enemy.
Now that I’m close enough to see him again, I notice Aric’s eyes are closed, his expression unreadable. I’m almost naked. He’s almost naked. And completely unbothered. I don’t know if I should be offended or thankful that he hasn’t said anything.
The charged silence stretching between us is heavy with an unspoken challenge.
I open my mouth, but before I can speak, his voice cuts through the stillness.
“Shhhh.” His tone is low, warning. “This is a quiet place. Make noise, and you might get eaten.”
I roll my eyes and flick water at him while dying a bit internally at the possible double meaning.
His reaction is instant. His eyes snap open, dark and intense, and then suddenly, I’m shoved against the muddy wall of the spring, my back pressing into the slick surface.
“Do that again.” His voice is a dare. A threat. He tilts his head to the side. “I liked it.”
His eyes flicker to my mouth.
I try not to react, but it’s impossible with Aric. I want to ask him questions, dig deep, for my own personal reasons but also because it’s the only way he’ll let me in. “You hate being challenged.”
“No, I never back away from a challenge. I hate losing,” he says quickly, and his eyes soften a bit. “And although I might be able to forgive you, fair warning, I’ll never forgive your father.”
“It’s unforgivable. All of it.” And it’s true. What my father did, what happened during a war Aric can’t remember his bloodline having any hand in…it’s all unforgivable.
He sighs. “It is, and yet, all I keep thinking is ‘damn, the lips of my enemy look so soft, I should indulge for just one second andtake a bite.’”
It’s part of my plan, but his words shouldn’t make my blood rush. I suck in my bottom lip and imagine it’s him. “What’s stopping you?”
His eyes dart from my mouth back up to my eyes. “Loyalty.” He tilts his head. “What’s stopping you?”
“Self-control.”
He leans in and grazes my ear with his lips. “Surprised you have any left after living with Odin.”
I freeze. Even knowing he’s sleeping, it’s shocking to hear him refer to my father as Odin, not realizing the power of the name.
“Is this how it’s going to be the entire semester?” I ask him, breathless.
He pulls back. “Probably.”
“You mad about it?”
“Again, I like a challenge. Plus, I think you’re in over your head with Endir and especially with my family. I know you’re here for a reason. You want to get close to us and find out all our secrets? Be my guest, but the closer you get to me, the closer I get to you. Better tread carefully.”
“Mm, okay.” I nod. “I’ll take your advice to heart.”
I bite my lip again, heat pooling in my belly as he watches. Heart hammering, I throw caution to the wind and flick another drop of water toward his face. “Oops,” I murmur. “It slipped.”
A slow, wicked grin curves his lips. His hand disappears beneath the water, brushing against my thigh. I freeze again, my pulse racing as his fingers trail upward—slow, deliberate—gliding along the curve of my waist, up my ribs, until his palm is at my throat.
And then his lips are on my neck. Warm and decisive.
