She bolted.
He didn’t move. He just turned his head, tracking her as she ran toward the door.
She grasped the handle—but her body betrayed her. Her vision grew blurry, and her strength drained away.
No. Not now. Not here.
She tried to wrench the door open, but her hand wouldn’t obey. Dizziness slammed into her, legs giving way. She clung to the handle until her hold slipped.
Before she could hit the floor, he was somehow at her side, catching her in his arms. Lavender and chamomile surrounded her, the soothing scent pulling her farther into sleep.
The man murmured in her ear. “Better luck next time, little human.”
Human?
That was her last thought before losing the fight to sleep.
Chapter eight
THANATOS
This had to be the worst job in all the realms.
Thanatos wasn’t made to sit on the throne in the House of Hades. He had never desired power. Power brought chaos, not the structure and order he thrived in.
Every attempt to organize the proceedings and create some semblance of order drew more complaints and scheming. The disorder frayed his patience, bit by bit.
He preferred dealing with the dead. They didn’t scheme or try to manipulate him. Thanatos was used to souls begging for more time, but at least they were honest about it.
In Hades’ throne room, it was all politics and agendas.
He noticed the tension building in his neck and shoulders.It had only been one day.
He grumbled inwardly as another minor god droned about a petty dispute. He kept his expression impassive. At least he tried to. When Morpheus, his nephew, approached looking worried, Thanatos’ attention sharpened.
Phobetor had been altering the other Oneiroi’s dreams, twisting them into nightmares.
He warned Phobetor not to meddle with Olympian decrees, but the god of nightmares growled and stormed off. While counseling Morpheus, Thanatos learned Phobetor had withdrawn from him and Phantasos, their other brother.
Thanatos watched his nephew leave, knowing family drama was the least of his problems.
The judges, Minos and Rhadamanthys, argued over whether they should admit a soul into Elysium, despite Minos having the final say when they disagreed.
After that came the territorial disputes. Rivers moving out of sequence. Souls improperly sorted. A never-ending queue of minor gods, each demanding immediate attention.
By the end of day two, Thanatos questioned Hades’ sanity.With no sleep and no reprieve, he snapped.
“Leave! All of you.”
Murmurs and complaints passed through the room, but no one argued. He only stared until they got the message.
Silence spread over the throne room as the door shut, and he exhaled slowly.He had ten minutes to remember who he was beyond this room. No more.
His mind strayed, unbidden, to her. He’d held her as she slept, feeling unexpected protectiveness. Guilt mixed with worry as he recalled her exhaustion and how vulnerable she was in his arms. She’d nearly died on his watch already, and the thought of her waking up confused and afraid, with only Hypnos for company, made him want to return to her side.
Why couldn’t he stop thinking about her?
He reached out to Hypnos. “Brother?”
