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He gives me a troubled look. “Ye dinnae look it, lass.”
I summon a glare, shooting it his way. “And how would you know how I’m doing? Hm? You’ve known me for barely a week.”
I’m trying to tamp down my strong emotions here and the last thing I need is for Hades to sniff it out. But as much as I protest that I’m fine, I’m betrayed by my own body. As soon as I try to take a step, I wobble. My hands fly out to try to balance me. I lurch forward, eyes widening, completely off kilter.
Hades steps in smoothly and slips his arm around my waist to steady me. He grabs my right hand, bunching it in his fist. My whole body goes haywire at the brush of his skin against mine.
He is so much bigger than me that he could easily sweep me off my feet again, taking all my autonomy from me. I can’t let that happen even though I might be uncertain on my feet.
I grit my teeth and growl at him. “Don’t touch me!”
Even as I protest, I can feel my body beginning to slump. It’s not the first time I’ve been betrayed by my own body. But this might be the most humiliating time for my body to simply choose not to do what I ask of it.
Hades glares at me as he wraps his arms around me. His face is only inches away from mine when he grips my back and scans my face. “What is going on with ye? Are ye going to faint?”
I swallow, not quite able to meet his eye. “Nothing,” I rasp.
His hands grip me, shaking me. “Look at me. No, dinnae look away. Look at me!”
Tears press in on me as I lift my gaze, taking in his green eyes and concerned scowl. I don’t say anything. The only options are to lie, to tell him the complete truth about my medical problems, or to stay silent.
I choose the last option because I’m not sure what will come out of my mouth if I open it. I’m uncomfortable being pressed against him. Being touched by his hot hands is a new kind of torture.
Certainly, I will do what I have to do to keep my own counsel.
But what real choice do I have?
“What aren’t ye telling me, lass?” he whispers. “Hm?”
I muster all the strength left in my body to raise my hands to his chest and shove him away. I look at him, warning him with a steely gaze.
“Don’t,” I say softly. “Please, Hades.”
Last time I used this voice on him, Hades roughly pushed me away. And this time is no different. He releases me instantly, a sneer lifting his lip. I stumble back, my steps unsure.
“Be careful what ye wish for, lassie.”
He stalks away, his expression imperious. I watch him go, waiting until he is nearly out of sight before I sit down, my muscles trembling with the effort I expended to stay standing.
The soft sands greet me like a long lost lover. I turn my gaze toward the ocean, repressing tears.
Chapter10
Hades
That night, it rains for the first time since our arrival on the island. This is no mere sprinkle. This is near-hurricane conditions, driving rain hurtling in seemingly random directions, wind whipping around, debris from palm trees flying every which way. We don’t have power or electricity in this place, nothing to distract from the howling winds that shake the entire cottage.
I text Eros an update but hear nothing in response. Strange, but I’m sure he has his reasons for his silence. Hours later, I get a single mysterious message.
On the way.
Where he’s on the way to, I couldn’t say. Sighing, I put my phone away and stare out the tiny window.
Eventually the storm outside causes Persephone to come out from the bedroom she’s been hiding in since this afternoon, a hesitant look on her face. She finds me staring broodingly out as the wind snaps a tree in half and flings it across the beach.
“How long will the storm go on?” she asks.
I glance over at her. She doesn’t seem to worry about the chaos outside. Maybe living on the Gulf Coast has something to do with her calm questions.
