Thanatos laughed softly and gave me a reassuring pet. “Yes, that would be for the best. In any case, I am unsure if it is even possible with me. Life from Death? That does not seem like something that would work.”
That was probably wishful thinking, but no matter. “Well, let’s not find out. Thank heaven for Alex. She stole me some plants.”
“Some…plants?” he wondered, then made a face when I explained. “Ew. I will get you something else.”
I giggled. “What, do you have Underworld magic to chase the babies away?” That would be nice, actually.
“Well, it is notUnderworldmagic.” He grimaced and paused to consider. “It will be…ugh, never mind. I will figure it out.”
I raised an eyebrow, questioning, but Thanatos shook his head. “Pay it no mind, my love. I will let no harm come to you.” He chuckled and kissed my forehead. “Even from babies.”
“Mmm.”
We lay together in cozy silence, and I relaxed to the rhythmic sound of his breathing. My eyelids grew heavy, and I wished I could stay here and forget the temple for just one night. I wanted so badly to ignore the tug of my leash. But I knew that cuddling with him was making me reckless, making me forget what I risked: that it could be my life on the line. I shouldn’t push my luck. What time was it now? I didn’t even know.
“I wish I could sleep with you,” I said sorrowfully.
“Oh,” he said, and a shade of regret colored his voice. “I am sorry, but I do not think I can just will myself to be tired…”
“Not like that, silly. I just want tobewith you, you know? Wake up to you. But it’s too risky to be gone so late again, or to teleport me around the complex. Somebody will figure it out.” I sighed. What we were doing now was inviting enough trouble.
“Maybe someday we can.” He stroked my cheek as he considered it. Then some thought occurred to him and he failed to suppress a sinful grin. “Wow, you really are a walking blasphemy now, aren’t you?” he reminded me cheerfully. “My naughty priestess.”
“That excites you, does it?” I purred back. “Have you acquired a taste for the forbidden?”
“Oh, yes. In fact, I think I will be in a ruinous mood should I be unable to taste the forbidden every night henceforth.”
I giggled. “Woe befall any who confront Death in a ruinous mood!” I exclaimed with mock severity. I dropped my voice to a sensual hush. “I will have to do my part to forestall such tidings.”
“I will dwell on your words when I am missing you,” Thanatos said. His voice carried an unexpected hint of melancholy that made me wonder whether he referred only to the time between our meetings. “Speaking of which,” he continued, “I believe it would be safest for me to take you back to your temple now. Not that I am pleased by this necessity.”
“I know,” I said with a grumbling sigh. “Can’t let Apollo find out now.”
He nodded, and we reluctantly began the search for our discarded articles of clothing. I observed intently as he dressed alongside me, determined to memorize the fastenings of his shirt around his wings so that I could more easily remove it in the future. Once all of my clothes had been replaced, I did my best to smooth out the wildness in my hair.
“Well, do I look as though I’ve just succumbed to the unholy?” I joked.
“Stop blushing, and you might pass for innocently sleepy.”
“And how am I supposed to manage that while you’re looking at me like you want to undress again?” I accused. “After what you’ve done to me, I would be lucky to avoid striding unevenly through the sacred halls.”
“Hades forfend!” he groaned. “Here, practice your nonchalance, and then I will drop you in an obscure corridor.”
“One more kiss, first?”
Thanatos obliged, sweetly but all too briefly. I nodded, then collected myself, more seriously this time. I wrappedmyself carefully in the poise and purity and stoicism of my station once more. “Alright. I’m ready.”
He held me by the shoulders and flicked his wings. Our surroundings twisted from our sacrilegious bedroom into a cold and empty hall.
“Sleep well, my naughty priestess,” Thanatos said. “I will see you tomorrow.”
In the next breath, he was gone, leaving me with only my racing heartbeat and the subtle taste of him on my lips. I hoped his scent would stay for me to savor all night. How could I ever fall asleep now? My mind swam with thoughts of him as I navigated the corridor and ascended the stairs to my room: how he looked in the throes of passion, how he smelled and tasted and felt. Oh, how he feltinside me…
A pang of longing flashed in my groin, and I tripped over my feet, catching the railing just in time to save my face from the stairs. I straightened my spine hastily, wincing at my mistake. I was going to have to work harder on resetting my poise. Luckily, when I glanced around, there was no one to be seen. This time.
I made to finish my ascent and sneak through the heavy door to our chamber. Entering undetected would be difficult with how the hinges squeaked, but it was doable, and it would be best if none of my sisters woke to my return. I could avoid their questioning and slip silently into bed. Then I’d be free to dream of Thanatos all night…
But when I opened the door, I found that a lantern was still lit, along with the candle atop the reading table. Why were they awake? Zoe and Sophie sat at the ends of their beds, with Alex on the couch. The three of them broke off their conversation to turn and look when I entered the room.
