Before they could argue, Hermes appeared at the foot of the bed. “I am not going to hop in there and snuggle.”
“Just touch her,” Hypnos commanded.
Hermes arched an eyebrow, then reached out, placing a hand on Iliana’s ankle.
The tension in Hypnos’ chest eased again.
“Satisfied?”
Hypnos gave a tight nod. “Your touch helped.” He refused to tell Hermes how much the strain had eased. It wasn’t wise to give him ideas about taking Iliana away from him.
Away from his brother, he corrected himself.
Hermes shook his head and released Iliana, leaving the room without another word.
Iliana moaned in her sleep before settling back down.
“What the fuck does that mean?” Anubis asked, confusion and frustration in his tone. “Why would multiple gods touching her ease the curse?”
Hypnos watched his friend tense, even as his hand never stopped rubbing Iliana’s back, protective and helpful.
“Maybe it’s not about easing it,” Hypnos said slowly, working through the implications. “Maybe our energy is countering it. Holding it back.”
“Or maybe,” Thanatos added quietly, “it has something to do with the prophecy. With whatever she’s not telling us.”
“Let us focus on something we can test,” Anubis said, placing another kiss on the top of Iliana’s head. “At least until she gives us more information. Like Hermes. Does a touch from any god help you keep her under? Or just the ones closest to her?”
Hypnos exhaled. “We can ask Panacea to see if she can help. But right now? I have nofucking idea.”
He continued to think about the problem Iliana was facing. The prophecy involved them somehow, but was it related to the curse? And if divine touch helped her, what did that mean for breaking it?
Or keeping her alive?
Chapter forty-nine
ILIANA
Iliana woke sluggishly, her senses gradually returning. Her body felt weighed down. She fought to remain asleep, wanting to stay exactly where she was.
Then her bladder made the decision for her.
She groaned, reluctant to leave the cocoon of Anubis’ warmth. His steady breathing in her ear soothed her, tempting her back to sleep. She nudged against his chest.
“What is it, little one?” Anubis asked sleepily. The gravel in his voice traveled from the top of her head to the tips of her toes. He squeezed her to him, as if he didn’t want to ever let her go.
“I’ve got to use the restroom,” she groaned out.
Stupid bladder.
It seemed Anubis thought the same, because he grumbled before loosening his hold and helping her to maneuver out of his embrace.
After using the restroom, she headed to the kitchen for a drink of water. As much as she loved sleeping in a divine puppy pile, their bodies made her overly warm.
She cracked open the bedroom door and paused, glancing back. The small amount of light showed Anubis’ bright eyes following her movement. “I’m going to get some water.”
He nodded, his eyes drifting shut again.
She padded down the hall, the hardwood cool under her bare feet. In the kitchen, she grabbed chilled water from the fridge and downed half, leaving the door ajar.
