It had been too long since something exciting had crossed his path. He’d grown weary of Olympus. The minor disputes stretched throughout centuries, lingering grudges rehashed in different ways. He spent more time in the mortal world, where things changed, and surprises awaited daily. Even his role as messenger had grown routine. He passed on the messages without caring about their subject—until now.
Hermes hadn’t even been looking for trouble. He stopped by Olympus to chat with Pheme, hoping for some light gossip, when Athena intercepted him with a message for Thanatos.She was all business, yet distracted enough to interest him.
After centuries of being dismissed as an incorrigible trickster, he adopted the role, causing trouble wherever he went. It suited him. He watched, listened, and learned.And, everything about this situation screamed that something big was happening.
He entered Hypnos’ cave in the Underworld, invisible. The home was filled with Hypnos’ calming scent and a hint of sweetness from the girl at the center of it all. Iliana. She was scared, but didn’t back down from the gods. That determination appealed to him.
Hermes had always appreciated beautiful voices, and hers had a raspy quality that conjured an image of pressing his lips to her throat, of burying his fingers in thick auburn hair. The fantasy seemed different somehow—less conquest, more connection—and that alone should’ve warned him off.
He shoved the thought away and refocused, needing to learn everything. Someone had cursed her family, but Athena’s involvement meant there was more to it. Iliana had tried to escape several times. That intrigued him more than anything. She didn’t accept her fate.
Unable to contain his curiosity, he revealed himself, savoring her hesitant, appreciative gaze as she looked him over.
He tested her, reciting poetry in a way only he could—soft, lyrical, dangerous. She faltered, her eyes going glassy, her body stilling as though caught in his web. He should’ve been pleased, but disappointment burned. He’d wanted her to fight back. He didn’t know why, but he needed her to hold her own against him.
When Anubis took her away, Hermes felt robbed. Not a pleasant feeling for the god of thieves. So he followed, motivated to learn her importance.
Which was how he found himself there, lurking in another kitchen, watching them as he remained invisible. He studied her grief, the way she struggled with the world she’d been thrust into. She needed to escape. Perhaps he was the perfect god to offer that.
Before he could act on the thought, something unanticipated happened. The Moirai, the Fates, sent him an intriguing request. The Fates didn’t concern themselves with insignificant things. This message, this girl—they mattered in ways that made his immortal existence feel suddenly exciting.
After interrupting the group again, he offered to take Iliana to dinner even though he knew she’d already eaten. She refused. Politely. Hesitantly. But she refused.
And Hermes found he liked that. What he didn’t care for was the way he wanted to comfort her after mentioning the Fates. It would’ve been easy—just a gentle touch or a few soft words. Instead, he grinned, letting his tone go light and shallow. Hating himself for the words he’d chosen, he watched the hurt dim the light in her hazel eyes.
Chapter twenty
ILIANA
Hermes’ words hurt more than she expected. The sting caught her off guard—his tilted head, his dismissive smirk—reminders of how little she mattered.
She’d been a curiosity before. She shouldn’t care what the gods thought—especially Hermes.But the vulnerability wouldn’t let go.
Anubis was protective. Thanatos was understanding. Even Hypnos seemed to care, though he resented it.
She fought the urge to demand to go home. She wanted to return to her apartment, where everything made sense.
Frigid wind slapped her face as she pushed outside, sharp enough to steal her breath. Goosebumps rose along her arms, and numbness crept into her feet almost immediately.
She jogged down the steps, stopping a few feet away from the porch to stare into the black tree line and darkness beyond. Night had settled in, and she shivered, considering returning inside. Her stubbornness rooted her in place. She needed a moment to think.
Looking up, she exhaled as she stared at the night sky.
Am I doing the right thing?
She didn’t know if her parents could hear, but she spoke to them anyway. “Should I trust them?”
Noone answered.
She could imagine what they’d say—her father’s steady pragmatism; her mother’s teasing warmth.Trust your instincts. Stop worrying. So—which one’s your favorite?
Iliana laughed, grateful for the memory, even as tears swam in her eyes. Then, a hand landed on her shoulder.
She shrieked, spinning around with her arms up to defend herself, only to find Thanatos.
He held up his hands in surrender. “Are you okay? I did not mean to scare you.”
She exhaled shakily. “I was lost in my thoughts.”
