Page 90 of A Realm of Fire and Ash

"I'd like that," she says, her voice small. "But I'm going to eat in here, my cramps are killing me."

I smile and pour us both a glass of wine before sitting next to her in the tub. We eat in silence, but as the meal progresses, there's so much I want to know about her, but the questions die on my tongue.

It's better this way.

After supper, we crawl into bed, but I don't make a fuss about the not-wearing-clothes rule, knowing she wants comfort.

We lie next to each other under the covers, and a whimper escapes Morte.

"What's wrong?" I prop myself on my elbow and face her.

In the dim light of the fireplace, I can see her shake her head. "Just a cramp."

"Let me help," I offer. "You can't use your magic, but I can."

"Please," she breathes.

I pull her into my arms, savoring her warmth as I breathe her in. I can feel it, like a stirring in my core, and I guide it towards her, surrounding her with magic. My hands slide down her body, massaging away the pain.

Morte lets out a deep sigh as the magic takes hold, but rather than stopping, I keep going, molding her like putty in my hands. It's less clinical now, and much more intimate, as I work to smooth away the tension. My fingertips skim her soft skin until she's soothed and relaxed.

Eventually, the moments of silence are filled with whispers and touches, a subtle shift in the air between us as something new kindles within. I can feel it growing already, this bond, a bridge between us I'm reluctant to give up, but I don't push her any further. Not when I've got to get her to let her guard down.

When my hands still, she doesn't pull away, and we stay like that until she eventually drifts off to sleep. Her breathing evens out and I press my lips to her crown, feeling a little piece of me die inside.

* * *

Morte

Soft puffsof air stir against my cheek, and a hint of vetiver and tobacco reaches my nose. I slowly open my eyes to find Aggonid gazing at me, a smile dancing across his lips. His eyes are warmer than I've ever seen, as if they're reflecting the flickering flames of the fireplace rather than his usual maelstrom of a volcano.

"Do you know why I make your perfect villain?" he whispers, brushing his thumb across my cheek.

"Impart me with your wisdom, oh great one," I tease.

He grins. "Now you're getting it! Now more of that, please, and less of the 'Aggie this, Aggie that." He grips my chin between his fingers, his canines on full display. "I'm your perfect villain because you are the phoenix rising from the ashes, and I am the fire that brings about destruction. Together, we can burn the realms to ashes and rebuild them anew."

"Who said I want a villain?" I retort, but his hand tightens around my chin, and I gasp as his other hand slides across my throat, the touch sending shivers through my body.

"You need a villain," he murmurs, pressing his lips to my ear. "Someone who can handle the heat of your flames and the weight of your immortality. Someone who understands the chaos that burns within you and embraces it. And who better than me, the God of the Underworld, to be your partner in this dance of destruction and rebirth?"

A sense of trepidation and wonder overwhelms me. My heart beats so fast I can hear it roaring against my eardrums, and my skin prickles in anticipation when his hands roam over me. His deep chuckle is like thunder, and he pulls me closer. His lips are like the most exquisite velvet upon mine, expressing an intensity of emotion that robs me of breath. I can feel his desire searing through me as his hands wander down my body, setting fire to every inch of my being. I arch into him as if my soul is calling for his.

He nips at my bottom lip before pulling away, a smirk adorning his face as he surveys me. "You're mine, Morte. You always have been," he growls, trailing his fingers down my spine. "Let me show you just how good we can be together."

I give him a coy smile before leaning up to whisper in his ear. "In time."

His eyes flash with something dangerous, and I can see my words have sparked something inside of him. But he doesn't push the issue, instead pulling me close once more for a fierce, possessive kiss. It's as if he's trying to stake his claim on me, and I can't help but reel from the intensity of it. Every touch electrifies me, and I find myself wanting more.

After a few seconds, he pulls away, his eyes dark with desire. "As you wish, love," he says with a chuckle. He falls onto his back, taking his heat with him. "I don't think it's safe for us to leave the room. Things aren't what they seem here, and I'd rather not risk you getting hurt."

"Don't you want to find out what's going on?" I sit up, tucking my legs under me and he mirrors me. The thought of staying cooped up in this room is too much temptation for me.

I have one mission, and until I free Wilder, I can't let anyone sidetrack me.

Aggonid's eyes flicker with annoyance. "In the grand scheme of things, none of it matters. After you meet with Finian, we'll find a way out of here."

"You're not worried about what he said? A month, Agg—"

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