Page 14 of Redemption

I’ve never been a leader. I’ve always been happy to leave that to Osias and Mateo. And I never searched or lusted for power like the council.

The cool brass of my door handle seeps into my palm, jolting me from my thoughts as I slip into my room. I take in the towering bookshelves lining every wall, their weathered, ancient spines soothing my soul. This is where I’m meant to be. I can be useful in a battle, and I shine looking after my patients after, but inhaling these dusty pages is where my soul feels at ease, where I’m able to put behind the horrors I’ve seen and get lost in another world.

“Kyros,” Olivia murmurs, her delicate fingers gently easing open the door.

I hadn’t even closed it in my haste to lose myself in the worlds between the pages.

“Can I come in?”

“Of course,” I breathe, some of the tension easing away once she steps inside and closes the door behind her.

Books had been my escape, helping me leave behind the horrors I face every day, the blood, the gore that my powers wipe away, leaving only memories etched into my mind. But now—now I have her, my mate, my partner, the one person who puts my soul at ease with only a touch or a look.

“I’m sorry, I just—”

“Sit down.” She nods her head towards the inviting mattress covered in green satin sheets.

I cock a brow in question but don’t argue. Groaning, I sink onto the soft bed and run my hand over the satin. My eyes shutter, and I barely keep myself upright as exhaustion washes over me, my body knowing it’s moments away from being able to shut down for a few hours.

“Now, what’s going on in that head of yours?” she asks. Her boots thud on the hardwood, and I barely contain my smile at the thought of cuddling with my mate tonight.

“Sleep.”

“What else?” She giggles. Metal and hard leather thud to the floor next, and I can’t help the way my cock throbs at the thought of her taking her clothes off. I reach under the hem of my sweater and pull it off too, keeping my eyes closed as anticipation heightens my senses.

“I—”

I pause as her soft footsteps grow louder, then her warm palms slide up my khaki pants to my waistband. I reach to help her, but she gently bats my hands away, making a tsking sound.

“You always take care of me, Kyros. Let me take care of you this time. I want to help you through whatever is weighing on you.”

Her fingers tease at the edge of my waistband, and I groan in protest, wishing we could let this go for tonight, wishing that she would inch her hand lower so I can feel the warm press of her hand against my cock. I peel my eyes open, unable to resist gazing back at my mate for a minute longer. My breath catches the moment I lock eyes with her. Her sea-green eyes shine brightly back at me, and I swear I could get lost in them if time allowed. Olivia’s bare skin glows in the pale moonlight that filters in through the window as she kneels between my legs. She’s taken almost all her clothes off, leaving her in only a set of ruby-red undergarments. I want to get lost in her, drink in every inch of her luscious curves, and worship her body like she deserves. But my chest also warms at the thought of her wanting to take care of me like I’ve done for her.

“You drive a hard bargain.” I chuckle. I place my hands on hers, not urging her on but just needing the warm, comforting press of her skin against mine. “This is so much more than preparing for the chance of a battle. We’re asking these students to put their lives on the line, to fight a war they’re being forced into.”

“I know it’s not fair,” she agrees. “But it’s better that they know the truth, that it isn’t a matter of if but when. They deserve to know.”

“I know.” I scrub a hand over my face. “I just don’t know that I should be the one to tell them, to rally them. They need a leader, someone like Osias or Mateo—not me.”

“Why?” Her brows knit together, head tilting to the side as she waits for me to continue, but I don’t know how to answer.

“What do you mean why?”

“Why don’t you think you’re a leader?”

“I never wanted to command troops or order anyone else around. I just stick to my studies. I stick to healing and helping wherever I can.” That’s my true calling. That’s where my strength lies.

“That isn’t what makes a leader though.” She smiles, grasping my hands in hers. “A leader is someone who is respected, someone others can turn to when things get hard. You might not want to command armies or give orders, but that doesn’t mean you can’t. Your kindness, compassion, and willingness to help others make you the perfect leader, especially to these students.”

“But—”

“You’ve been with them every step of the way this year,” she says, cutting me off before I can voice my protest. “You’ve helped them answer questions and explore more about their lineage and this new world when no one else would. You stepped up to be our professor when we really needed you. I don’t think there’s another god who the students respect and admire more. They trust you to keep them safe, and so do I.”

“Olivia,” I breathe, freeing my hand to cup her cheek in a tender caress. My heart hammers against my chest as I take in the true meaning of her declaration.

“Those students are my friends. I saw the demigods and guardians who died tonight, and as much as I don’t want my friends to have to fight, I know that it’s the best shot they have.” Olivia swallows thickly, her eyes shining with unshed tears. “I know with you there to lead them—to use your knowledge to train them the best that we can—we’ll all have the best shot at surviving whatever Romulus throws at us.”

My chest aches as I stare back at my mate. Tracing my thumb under her eye, I catch her tear, wishing I could take all her pain away. She’s had to overcome so much already, endure battles and trials that no one should have to weather. Her faith in me steels my determination. My mate trusts me to do this, to see the students through this time and be the person they can turn to for help and support, and I won’t let her down.

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