Strong hands grabbed her shoulders, hauling her upright. “Iliana,” Thanatos murmured, dragging her into his arms and crushing her against his hard chest before stepping back to look her over. “Are you okay? Did they hurt you?”
She shook her head, glancing behind him at Anubis and Hypnos. “No. I’m fine.”
“What did they say to you?” Hypnos asked, sounding uncaring despite his relieved expression. “Anything about how to break the curse?”
Iliana expelled her held breath, looking at them, at these gods who were risking so much for her. She could give them this.
“They said I have to burn.”
Chapter forty-four
HERMES
Hermes watched Iliana disappear into the mouth of the cave and felt the moment his duty to the Fates was complete. The hidden thread around his wrist dissolved.
Finally.
He’d passed on the message and completed their request, delivering Iliana to them so she could hear their prophecy. Now, the restriction that had kept him from helping her was gone. He could now act on his own terms.
She didn’t need him hovering. He did anyway.
His reckless, beautiful troublemaker didn’t hesitate to face her destiny. She squared her shoulders, lifted her chin, and strode into the cave without looking back. Gutsy. He liked that about her. She didn’t flinch or demand reassurance as so many mortals would have.
A faint grin played at his lips, but it didn’t touch his eyes.
That same fearlessness that attracted him also unnerved him. She was too willing to shoulder burdens and too quick to walk into danger if it led to the answers she was desperate for. And that made her impossible to protect.
Behind him, the others remained motionless, like statues carved from the same desert stone around them. Their taut shoulders and clenched jaws betrayed their tension. Each stared at the spot where Iliana had been.
Until he laughed.
Three glowering faces swiveled in unison to stare at him.“What’s so funny?” Hypnos asked through gritted teeth.
Hermes met his glare with a grin. “Oh, nothing. Just three gods who are content to let a mortal girl face danger alone. The poets will write sonnets.”
“She’s with the Fates,” Thanatos said coldly.
“Exactly—and they could snip her thread whenever they please.” Hermes felt his smile grow tense. “But sure, keep standing here. I’m sure that’ll help.”
Thanatos scowled. “You are leaving.”
Hermes winked. “She’s with the Fates. I have other ways to protect her—and other threads to pull.”
Protecting her wasn’t just about standing guard; it meant gathering information and staying three steps ahead of her pursuers.
Not bothering to wait for their protests, Hermes left. He was done waiting for the others to request his help. Finally free, he planned to visit his tech group and have them research Iliana’s family and uncover who had targeted them, who had cursed them. But he hesitated. He wanted to solve the puzzle of Iliana’s past—and he wanted to be near her. He needed to check in with Hecate, too. But first, one quick stop. He needed to follow the unfamiliar desire to knowher.
Memories of past mortal lovers flashed through his mind. Some were more meaningful than others, but he’d never felt this intensely for them. He’d mourned each of their deaths, accompanying them to the Underworld himself as he said goodbye. But when they’d lived, he’d cared for them at a distance. Months often passed before thoughts of them entered his mind.
But what he was feeling for Iliana was different. He was always aware of where she was and what she did. He’d never wanted to return to someone as much as he did with her. Distance felt like something to endure, not embrace. It made him reckless. Needing to be near her muddled his thoughts. Wanting to protect her meant he cared about her in ways that never ended well for gods like him.
Hermes appeared in the alley outside Iliana’s apartment building in Arizona, wearing a tailored navy suit. He practically oozed charm as he tugged the cuffs straight before making his way inside with purposeful strides.
After their night in Paris, he hadn’t been able to get her out of his mind.He reminded himself that his visit was meant to find answers. He’d scan for traps, verifying that nothreats were waiting for Iliana if she returned here. It was strategic and necessary. Any protective god would do the same.
He almost laughed at himself. That was all bullshit, and he knew it. Part of him just wanted to see where she lived. Touch her things. See what books she read. Understand her life before gods and curses and danger. He wanted to learn about her in ways that had nothing to do with keeping her safe.
He was in so much trouble.
