“Everything is dangerous,” she interrupted. “The Underworld wasn’t safe. Sleeping is deadly. I want to help plan our next moves, to understand the political situation. To know why Athena really wants to have me protected, what these other gods want, and why everyone’s suddenly so interested in me. I need to be productive instead of just existing under your protection.”
The quiet stretched as the three gods seemed to digest her words.
“You think that’s all you’re doing?” Thanatos asked.
The question surprised her. “Sometimes, yes.” She looked at him, trying to read him. “I’m grateful for your protection. For the time you’re taking to train me to fight and teach me about your world. But I need to feel like I have some control over my fate.”
Anubis approached her, his eyes intense as he held her stare. “I will agree not to surprise you with any more gods. Attack any unannounced deity in your safe space.” He leaned in close, his hot breath fanning against her ear, raising goosebumps on her skin. “But that does not mean I will not test you.” His lips brushed her neck.
All she wanted to do was melt into him.
“Do not let your guard down,” he breathed.
Before she could act, Anubis pulled away with a satisfied smirk on his face.Iliana blinked rapidly, trying to gather her thoughts.
Well, at least she got one thing she’d demanded.
Hypnos moved to the bed. Iliana watched him, not expecting him to agree to her demand to stop being so pushy. He looked at her, his jaw working as if he were chewing on acidic words he was attempting to keep to himself.
“I’ll try,” he said eventually, the concession costing him. “But don’t expect me to ask permission to keep you alive.”
The grudging acceptance was more than she’d expected from him. She let a small smile touch her lips.
Strong arms wrapped around her waist. Thanatos’ warm body pressed against her back, his earthy scent calming her nerves. She relaxed in his embrace, the exhaustion that had disappeared while she was exerting her will creeping back in.
“We will try to include you more in decisions and tell you about any new information we discover.” Thanatos’ voice was soft as he continued their conversation. “I do not want you to think we were intentionally excluding you from our discussions.”
She pulled away just so she could turn in his arms, looking up into his soft gaze. “I know you haven’t, and I appreciate it. I realize I’m new to this world and may not understand everything, but I want to know more.”
He pulled her back against him. “Always so curious.”
She wrapped her arms around him and sighed. “I can’t help it.”
“Did you have fun with Pan?” he asked, kissing the top of her head.
Iliana laughed. “I like her a lot. Can I keep her?”
Chapter forty-two
ILIANA
Asudden movement captured her attention. Iliana’s gaze went to Thanatos as he shifted his position on the couch, his eyes settling on her with fondness. “You have been staring out the window for five minutes.”
Shit.
She struggled to compose herself. “Sorry, I was just…” She scrambled for a decent excuse.
He saved her with a quiet huff of amusement. “It’s fine.”
She sagged in relief. He wasn’t offended.
They were mid-lesson. Thanatos was guiding her through Athena’s war strategies, describing ruthless logic and legendary battles. In just a few days, Iliana had absorbed far too much information about the Greek pantheon, power structures, and ancient feuds that continued to this day.
She could recite the gods’ names, their domains, and their long-held rivalries. But that didn’t explain why Hermes left gifts while he avoided her. It didn’t tell her if Athena was an ally or a threat, or why the gods who’d kissed her senseless hadn’t touched her since.
Her days passed with mornings with Thanatos, sparring with Anubis in the afternoons, then nights protected by Hypnos. No sudden abductions. No unexpected visits from Panacea. And, strangely, no Hermes.
She’d only caught traces of him. A tiny Eiffel Tower figurine on her pillow. Chocolate croissants on the kitchen counter. A hint of citrus and cedar in the hallway.
